He Never Went to Church Again

He Never Went to Church Again

2 Chronicles 27:2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father Uzziah did: howbeit he entered not into the temple of the LORD. And the people did yet corruptly.

At the age of 25, Jotham becomes King of Judah.  He is known as one of the few Kings that did good and right.  It is amazing to read that he never went into the Temple of God while being King.  Why did he not go to the temple?  If you read about his family life and His father’s Kingdom, you may get a better understanding as to why he never went into the Temple.  Years earlier, his father was blessed by the Lord.  The army was doing well, the economy was growing, but Jotham’s father Uzziah was lifted up with pride.  In a moment of unyielding pride, Azariah goes into the Temple and begins to offer a sacrifice.  He bypasses the Priests and begins to take on the priestly role for himself.  The High Priest, Azariah, and 80 other priests confronted him and asked him to stop defiling the Temple, but he would not.  In a moment, the hand of Uzziah shriveled up and became pale with leprosy.  He dashes out of the Temple and lives the rest of his life in isolation, his son, Jotham reigned in his stead.

Perhaps young Jotham decided then, that he would never go into the Temple again.  This was a bad experience for him to see happen to his father.  Perhaps fear, regret, and bad memories flooded his mind every time he came near the Temple.  Some people are like this with church.  Perhaps a reader of this devotional avoids church because of one or two past experiences that were negative.  Be encouraged to go to church and to love God and His people.  The consequences of trying to serve God without Gods people are severe.  Jotham did love God, but avoided the Temple, and as a result the verse reads: “the people did yet corruptly.”  Many of the people followed his lead and no longer went to the Temple either.  They went further away from God than Jotham did.

Parents, your children watch your church attendance. Grandparents, your grandkids watch your church involvement.  Neighbor, others will see your example in your personal church attendance. Even if you had a bad past experience at church seek victory in Christ, forgive those needing forgiving, and go to church this Sunday.