However, the high places were not eliminated; the people were still not devoted to the God of their ancestors.
2 Chronicles 20:33 NET
2 Chronicles lists all the kings of Judah from Solomon until Babylon’s destruction of the nation. Of primary concern to the chronicler was the spiritual condition of the king. Apart from an alliance with the house of Ahab, Jehoshaphat was considered one of the better kings of Judah. The chronicler tells us that he was careful to do what the Lord approved (2 Ch. 20:32) and had even sent out teachers across the land to instruct the people in the law of the Lord (2. Ch. 17:7-9).
However, the high places were not eliminated. The high places were places of worship, generally in elevated locations. These were originally used by the Canaanites prior to the conquest. And God had commanded Israel to destroy them when they conquered the land and to worship instead at a central location (Deut. 12:1-14).
But generally, the high places were not destroyed. And when they were, they would be rebuilt. Instead, Israel incorporated these high places into their worship of the Lord. Altars to YWHW would be built on the high places and sacrifices made to God. Sometimes even alongside altars of Baal and the other Canaanite deities.
After telling us that the high places were not eliminated under Jehoshaphat, the chronicler went on to say that the people were still not devoted to God. Their lack of devotion was reflected in their worship at the high places. They were failing to consider God as holy, worshipping him as they chose rather than as he had instructed them.
What High Places Do I Have?
Unfortunately, high places still persist, although they are not generally identified as high places. I am encouraged to be a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to the Lord as an act of spiritual worship (Rom. 12:1). Anything that keeps me from that (from being fully devoted to the Lord) is a “high place” in my life. Work, family, recreation, and even “church” work. Any of them can be a high place if they compete with God for first place in my life.
To please God, it is important that I recognize the high places in my life and work to tear them down. I may need to eliminate some people or activities from my life. But mostly, it will be a matter of giving God first place in my life, my work, my family, my service to him, and anything else I do.
thank you for this wonderful piece and reflection.
Reading the passage of 2chronicles 20, we see that Jehosaphat was following God but he and the people had not totally surrendered to God…and it makes me think about how many times we say we love and serve God but we still have those high places in our life, these areas we have not fully committed to God. But it also shows God’s mercy towards us and his daily invitation for us to surrender and trust in Him totally.
Yes indeed.