2Ch 27:1-2, Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. …. AND HE DID WHAT WAS RIGHT IN THE SIGHT OF THE LORD, ACCORDING TO ALL THAT HIS FATHER UZZIAH HAD DONE (ALTHOUGH HE DID NOT ENTER THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD). BUT STILL THE PEOPLE ACTED CORRUPTLY.
Jotham was a godly man, who was influenced by his father Uzziah; he learned what to do and what not to do! Spurgeon said,
“HE REGARDED HIS FATHER’S SIN RATHER AS A BEACON TO WARN HIM AWAY FROM THAT ROCK ON WHICH UZZIAH’S LIFE HAD BEEN WRECKED.”
Deu 6:4-7, “Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one! YOU SHALL LOVE THE LORD YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART, WITH ALL YOUR SOUL, AND WITH ALL YOUR STRENGTH. “And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart. YOU SHALL TEACH THEM DILIGENTLY TO YOUR CHILDREN, AND SHALL TALK OF THEM WHEN YOU SIT IN YOUR HOUSE, WHEN YOU WALK BY THE WAY, WHEN YOU LIE DOWN, AND WHEN YOU RISE UP.
As parents we must teach our children to do what is right in the sight of GOD! It’s a command from the LORD to do so! WE LEAD BY EXAMPLE, NOT BY WORD! LIKE PAUL SAID,
1Cor 11:1, “IMITATE ME, JUST AS I ALSO IMITATE CHRIST”
Eph 6:4, And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
2Ch 27:6, SO JOTHAM BECAME MIGHTY, BECAUSE HE PREPARED HIS WAYS BEFORE THE LORD HIS GOD.
GREAT MEN, MEN OF VALOR IN THE SIGHT OF GOD ALWAYS PREPARE THEIR HEARTS TO SEEK THE LORD! FOR HE GIVES WISDOM AND UNDERSTANDING TO THOSE THAT SEEK HIM!
Pro 3:1, MY SON, DO NOT FORGET MY LAW, BUT LET YOUR HEART KEEP MY COMMANDS;