Huntington Church of Christ

The Hebrew writer urged his readers to diligently imitate those who "inherit the promises" through "faith and patience" (Hebrews 6:11,12). Of course, Hebrews 11 immediately comes to mind -- a chapter listing the names of faithful men and women who practiced faith and patience throughout the ages. Those who are named are certainly worthy of our consideration, but the writer may have had others in mind as well. In our recent study of the Divided Kingdom we have examined the lives of both Israel's and Judah's Kings. Our of these 43 individuals certainly some are worthy to be followed. Let's briefly consider a few of the kings of Judah.

JEHOSHAPHAT "walked in all the way of Asa his father; He turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah" (1 Kings 22:43).

He teaches us to imitate the good qualities of others. Jehoshaphat looked up to his father, Asa. Asa did not have a righteous father to follow, but he did have the example of David to pattern his life after.

"And Asa did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, as did David his father. And he put away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made...the heart of Asa was perfect with Jehovah all his days." (1 kings 15:11-15)

Many years later another king followed Jehoshaphat's lead and patterned his life after the faithful and patient.

"Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign...And he did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left." (2 Kings 22:1,2)

Like Jehoshaphat, you and I can imitate the faith and patience of those recorded in Hebrews 11. We can also follow the footsteps of Jesus (John 8:12; 1 Peter 2:21) and imitate his apostles (1 Corinthians 11:1).

UZZIAH "set himself to seek God" (2 Chronicles 26:5).

What a great and noble cause for one's life. We should imitate such his worthy crusade of seeking after God. The scriptures continue to say, "as long as he sought Jehovah, God made him to prosper." Paul also taught the Athenians, "that they should seek God, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us: for in him we live and move, and have our being" (Acts 17:27, 28). Salvation and spiritual prosperity will be the reward.

JOTHAM "became mighty, because he ordered his ways before Jehovah his God." (2 Chronicles 27:6)

He walked in the ways of God. This means that he followed God's instructions and commandments. He wisely patterned his life according to the law of God Hosea wrote,

"Who is wise, that he may understand these things? prudent, that he may know them? for the ways of Jehovah are right, and the just shall walk in them; but transgressors shall fall therein." (Hosea 14:9)

Please note that the result of his lifestyle was strength. We also can imitate the example of Jesus, because he too ordered His ways before the Father. Jesus said, "For I do always the things that are pleasing to him." (John 8:28, 29) What a grand example to imitate.

HEZEKIAH "And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered." (2 Chronicls 31;21)

Hezekiah sought God with all his heart. His commitment led him to do what no other king had ever done.

"He did that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah, according to all that David his father had done. He removed the high places, and brake the pillars, and cut down the Asherah: and he brake in pieces the brazen serpent that Moses had made; for unto those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it." (2 Kings 18:3-6)

He "clave" to God and "departed not from following him". He remained loyal to his God! He completely trusted Jehovah! Jesus also demands the entirety of your heart! He wants your complete trust and confidence!

"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." (Matthew 22:37)

The Ethiopian Eunuch believed with all his heart that Jesus Christ was the Son of God. That strong faith led him to be baptized and enjoy the prosperity of salvation! (Acts 8:36-37) There was "none like him among all the kings of Judah (2 Kings 18:5)

JOSIAH "turned to Jehovah with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses" (2 Kings 23;25).

Josiah was more zealous and knowledgeable than any other king of Judah. Josiah's zeal was prophesied to Jeroboam many years before his coming (1 Kings 13:1,2). Let us also turn to God and imitate his zeal for the words of God.

These men were by no means perfect in all ways. Each one had his own weakness and sin. Jehoshphat was rebuked for helping wicked kings (2 Chronicles 19:1-3). Uzziah tried to function as a priest (2 Chronicles 26:16-21). Hezekiah foolishly showed his wealth to the enemies of God (2 Kings 20:12-19; 2 Chronicles 32;30,31). Even the best of people (Noah, Abraham, Moses, David, etc...) can fall to the pitfalls of pride, vanity, shallowness, worldliness and instability. Only Jesus lived without sin (1 Peter 2:22). Let us learn to imitate those who diligently exercise faith and patience in their lives.

adapted from sermon notes by Joe N. Clayton

Daniel S. Dow
Huntington Church of Christ