Jehoshaphat was one of the good kings of Judah. The book of Second Chronicles sets forth this good king's attitude toward God in an interesting and unique way. "And his heart took delight in the ways of the Lord" (2 Chron. 17:6, NKJV). That phrase has caught my attention.

The Hebrew verb translated "took delight in" is an unusual word used in an unusual way in this passage. This can be seen in the different ways it has been translated into English.

"And his heart was lifted up in the ways of the Lord" (KJV).
"And he took great pride in the ways of the Lord" (NASB).
"His heart was courageous in the ways of the Lord" (ESV).
"His heart was devoted to the ways of the Lord" (NIV).

This Hebrew word, (gabahh) literally means "to soar," "to be lofty," or "to be high." When referencing man's heart, it is usually refers to a proud or arrogant attitude. However, it is used in a positive sense in this passage to refer to Jehoshaphat's ambition to seek God and to follow His ways. He was not lifted up in his own eyes, but it was the "ways of the Lord" which lifted him up and gave him courage.

"Taking delight in" the ways of the Lord is more than a mere emotional response to hearing and learning God's law. Jehoshaphat's "delight" was expressed in action. It motivated the king to walk in the ways of the Lord because he knew it was the right thing to do. As Moses said of God's law: "And the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our good always, that He might preserve us alive, as it is this day" (Deut. 6:24, emphasis mine - HR).

Jehoshaphat's delight in the ways of the Lord led him to bring about some impressive reforms in his nation. First, he sought to remove false religion from the land. "...moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah" (2 Chron. 17:6). This was a commendable action, and no doubt it pleased the Lord, but he did not remove every trace of idolatry from the land, nor was he successful in removing it from the hearts of the people (2 Chron. 20:33).

Second, Jehoshaphat saw to it that the law was taught to the people of Judah. He sent out his leaders, along with Levites and priests, and "they taught in Judah and had the Book of the Law of the Lord with them; they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people" (2 Chron. 17:9). Through the prophet Hosea, the Lord lamented "My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge" (Hosea 4:6). This could not have been said of the people of Judah under Jehoshaphat's reign.

Third, Jehoshaphat insisted that the people of Judah practice justice in their dealings with one another. He established judges throughout the land of Judah and strictly warned them to judge in the fear of the Lord (2 Chron. 19:4-11). They were not to take bribes or show partiality. Doing so would cause God's wrath to come upon them and their brethren.

Fourth, Jehoshaphat caused the people to turn to the Lord for deliverance from their enemies. A great army of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, and Meunites came up against Judah. Jehoshaphat was afraid, but he called upon the people to fast as he sought help from the Lord. Because he turned to the Lord, Jehoshaphat did not have to fight in this battle. The Lord caused the invading armies to turn against and destroy one another. Jehoshaphat and his men spent three days carrying away spoil from this victory (2 Chron. 20).

Because Jehoshaphat sought the Lord, trusted in the Lord, took delight in the ways of the Lord, removed idolatry and injustice and replaced it with an accurate knowledge of God's law, the Lord was with him. The king enjoyed peace (2 Chron. 17:10), power (v. 12), and had "riches and honor in abundance" (18:1).

How about you and me? Have we cast the idols of the world out of our heart (Mark 12:30)? Do we delight in and meditate upon God's word (Ps. 1:2)? Do we look forward to assembling with the saints to worship God (Ps. 122:1)? Do we trust in the Lord (Prov. 3:5)? Do we seek to please God with our daily lives (Gal. 1:10)? Can it truthfully be said that we take delight in the ways of the Lord?