2 Chronicles 19:7: “Now therefore, let the fear of the LORD be upon you [judges]; take care and do it, for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, no partiality, nor taking of bribes.”

October 6th, 2023 by Pastor Ed in devotional

King Jehoshaphat went throughout Judah, bringing the people back to the Lord. He appointed judges in the cities and charged them with the instructions for godly judges found in Deuteronomy 16 and 17 where God is pointed to as the model to be followed since He is the great and perfect judge over all the earth. Three things are found in God’s character that these judges needed to embrace in their own lives: God has no iniquity, is impartial, and is not influenced by bribery.

1) Has no iniquity: We know that God is sinless and that there is no shadow of darkness in His character in any way. We can be confident that God never acts out of selfishness and His motives toward us are always pure.

2) Is impartial: We are told that He does not treat any person better than another, nor does He show greater respect for one over another. We can be sure that He treats everyone the same, no matter what their name, race, position, or education. God treats you the same as He would Billy Graham, the president, or a king.

3) Is not influenced by bribery: God is absolutely immune from any temptation toward bribery. We know this to be true because of His character as well as the fact that He owns all things.

Death is the shadow that hangs over human life. Someday we will all face God, the ultimate, perfect Judge. How will we fair before Him? His judgment is His evaluation of your life and mine. Though impossible to do, we often attempt to escape the fact of death. The late newspaper tycoon William Randolph Hearst forbade anyone to use the word death in his presence. In contrast, Philip II, king of Macedon and father of Alexander the Great, commissioned a servant to come into his presence daily and solemnly announce, “Remember, Philip, you must die.” Paul wrote to Timothy:

Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing. (2 Tim. 4:8).

“LORD, You are the perfect Judge. The only way we can face Your judgement is by Your grace and salvation. Help us to stay focused on faith in You for eternity.”

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2 Chronicles 19 KJV

¹ And Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned to his house in peace to Jerusalem. ² And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to king Jehoshaphat, Shouldest thou help the ungodly, and love them that hate the LORD? therefore is wrath upon thee from before the LORD. ³ Nevertheless there are good things found in thee, in that thou hast taken away the groves out of the land, and hast prepared thine heart to seek God. ⁴ And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beer-sheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers. ⁵ And he set judges in the land throughout all the fenced cities of Judah, city by city, ⁶ And said to the judges, Take heed what ye do: for ye judge not for man, but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment.  ⁷ Wherefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it: for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts. ⁸ Moreover in Jerusalem did Jehoshaphat set of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD, and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem. ⁹ And he charged them, saying, Thus shall ye do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. ¹⁰ And what cause soever shall come to you of your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, ye shall even warn them that they trespass not against the LORD, and so wrath come upon you, and upon your brethren: this do, and ye shall not trespass. ¹¹And, behold, Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king’s matters: also the Levites shall be officers before you. Deal courageously, and the LORD shall be with the good.