The high places, however, were not removed; the people had not yet set their hearts on the God of their fathers. The high placesIn the Hebrew text, the term for "high places" is "בָּמוֹת" (bamot). These were elevated sites often used for worship, sometimes of Yahweh, but frequently for pagan deities. Archaeologically, these sites have been found throughout ancient Israel, often featuring altars and standing stones. The persistence of these high places indicates a syncretism in Israelite worship, where the people struggled to fully commit to the worship of Yahweh alone, despite the centralization of worship in Jerusalem. This reflects a recurring theme in the Old Testament, where the Israelites are called to exclusive worship of God but often fall into the practices of surrounding nations. however, were not removed
The Hebrew word for "removed" is "סָרוּ" (saru), meaning to turn aside or depart. This phrase highlights a failure in the religious reforms of the time. Despite efforts by righteous kings like Jehoshaphat to lead the people back to God, the incomplete removal of these high places signifies a partial obedience. It serves as a reminder of the importance of thoroughness in spiritual reformation and the dangers of leaving remnants of idolatry in one's life. the people had not yet set their hearts
The phrase "set their hearts" comes from the Hebrew "נָכוֹן לֵבָם" (nachon libam), which implies establishing or preparing one's heart. This suggests a deliberate and intentional commitment to God, which the people had not yet achieved. The heart, in biblical terms, is the center of will and emotion, and setting one's heart on God involves a deep, personal dedication that goes beyond mere external compliance. This phrase challenges believers to examine the depth of their own commitment to God. on the God of their fathers
This phrase emphasizes the continuity of faith from one generation to the next. "The God of their fathers" refers to Yahweh, the covenant God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. It underscores the importance of remembering and adhering to the faith and promises given to the patriarchs. Historically, this reflects the struggle of the Israelites to maintain their distinct identity and faith amidst the influences of surrounding cultures. For contemporary believers, it serves as a call to uphold the faith traditions passed down through generations, ensuring that the worship of God remains pure and undiluted by external influences. Persons / Places / Events 1. JehoshaphatThe king of Judah during this time, known for his efforts to follow God and reform the nation, yet he did not remove the high places. 2. High PlacesElevated sites often used for idol worship, which were not removed during Jehoshaphat's reign, indicating incomplete religious reform. 3. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, where Jehoshaphat reigned and sought to lead the people back to the worship of Yahweh. 4. The God of their fathersRefers to Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, whom the people of Judah were called to worship wholeheartedly. 5. The People of JudahThe inhabitants of the kingdom who struggled with fully committing their hearts to God, as evidenced by their continued use of high places. Teaching Points Incomplete ObedienceJehoshaphat's failure to remove the high places serves as a reminder that partial obedience to God is not enough. We must strive for complete faithfulness in our walk with Him. Heart CommitmentThe verse highlights the importance of setting our hearts fully on God. True worship requires a wholehearted commitment, not just external compliance. Cultural CompromiseThe persistence of high places reflects the danger of cultural compromise. Believers today must be vigilant against allowing secular influences to dilute their faith. Generational InfluenceThe reference to "the God of their fathers" underscores the impact of generational faithfulness. We are called to pass down a legacy of wholehearted devotion to God. Personal ReflectionThis passage invites us to examine our own lives for "high places"—areas where we have not fully surrendered to God—and to take steps to remove them. Bible Study Questions 1. What are some "high places" in your life that may hinder your full devotion to God, and how can you begin to remove them? 2. How does the concept of incomplete obedience in Jehoshaphat's reign challenge you in your personal walk with God? 3. In what ways can you ensure that your heart is fully set on God, as opposed to being divided by worldly influences? 4. How can the example of generational faithfulness in this passage inspire you to influence the next generation for Christ? 5. Reflect on a time when cultural pressures tempted you to compromise your faith. How can you apply the lessons from 2 Chronicles 20:33 to stand firm in your beliefs? Connections to Other Scriptures 1 Kings 15:14This verse also mentions the high places not being removed during the reign of Asa, Jehoshaphat's father, showing a pattern of incomplete reform. 2 Kings 12:3Similar to Jehoshaphat, King Jehoash did not remove the high places, indicating a recurring issue in Judah's history. Deuteronomy 12:2-4God commands the Israelites to destroy all high places, emphasizing His desire for exclusive worship and the removal of idolatry. Matthew 22:37Jesus teaches about loving God with all one's heart, soul, and mind, which contrasts with the divided hearts of the people in 2 Chronicles 20:33. People Ahaziah, Ammonites, Aram, Asa, Asaph, Azubah, Benaiah, Berachah, Dodavah, Eliezer, Geber, Hanani, Jahaziel, Jehoshaphat, Jehu, Jeiel, Kohathites, Korahites, Korhites, Levites, Maonites, Mattaniah, Meunim, Meunites, Moabites, Seir, Shilhi, Tamar, Tarshish, ZechariahPlaces Ammon, Edom, Egypt, Engedi, Ezion-geber, Hazazon-tamar, Jeruel, Jerusalem, Mareshah, Moab, Mount Seir, Seir, Tarshish, Tekoa, ZizTopics TRUE, Directed, Fathers, Heart, Hearts, Howbeit, However, Places, Prepared, Removed, YetDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Chronicles 20:33 5810 complacency 2 Chronicles 20:31-33 7241 Jerusalem, significance 2 Chronicles 20:32-33 7374 high places Library A Strange Battle
'We have no might against this great company that cometh against us; neither know we what to do: but our eyes are upon Thee.'--2 CHRON xx. 12. A formidable combination of neighbouring nations, of which Moab and Ammon, the ancestral enemies of Judah, were the chief, was threatening Judah. Jehoshaphat, the king, was panic-stricken when he heard of the heavy war-cloud that was rolling on, ready to burst in thunder on his little kingdom. His first act was to muster the nation, not as a military levy …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureHolding Fast and Held Fast
'As they went forth Jehoshaphat stood and said, Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established.'--2 CHRON. xx. 20. Certainly no stronger army ever went forth to victory than these Jews, who poured out of Jerusalem that morning with no weapon in all their ranks, and having for their van, not their picked men, but singers who 'praised the beauty of holiness,' and chanted the old hymn, 'Give thanks unto the Lord, for His mercy endureth for ever.' That was all that men had to do in the battle, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Of the Public Fast.
A public fast is when, by the authority of the magistrate (Jonah iii. 7; 2 Chron. xx. 3; Ezra viii. 21), either the whole church within his dominion, or some special congregation, whom it concerneth, assemble themselves together, to perform the fore-mentioned duties of humiliation; either for the removing of some public calamity threatened or already inflicted upon them, as the sword, invasion, famine, pestilence, or other fearful sickness (1 Sam. vii. 5, 6; Joel ii. 15; 2 Chron. xx.; Jonah iii. …
Lewis Bayly—The Practice of Piety The Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi.
"On the western shore" (of the Asphaltites) "dwell the Essenes; whom persons, guilty of any crimes, fly from on every side. A nation it is that lives alone, and of all other nations in the whole world, most to be admired; they are without any woman; all lust banished, &c. Below these, was the town Engadda, the next to Jerusalem for fruitfulness, and groves of palm-trees, now another burying-place. From thence stands Massada, a castle in a rock, and this castle not far from the Asphaltites." Solinus, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica "Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on Thee, Because He Trusteth in Thee. "
Isaiah xxvi. 3.--"Thou shall keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee, because he trusteth in thee." Christ hath left us his peace, as the great and comprehensive legacy, "My peace I leave you," John xiv. 27. And this was not peace in the world that he enjoyed; you know what his life was, a continual warfare; but a peace above the world, that passeth understanding. "In the world you shall have trouble, but in me you shall have peace," saith Christ,--a peace that shall make trouble …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning That the Employing Of, and Associating with the Malignant Party, According as is Contained in the Public Resolutions, is Sinful and Unlawful.
That The Employing Of, And Associating With The Malignant Party, According As Is Contained In The Public Resolutions, Is Sinful And Unlawful. If there be in the land a malignant party of power and policy, and the exceptions contained in the Act of Levy do comprehend but few of that party, then there need be no more difficulty to prove, that the present public resolutions and proceedings do import an association and conjunction with a malignant party, than to gather a conclusion from clear premises. …
Hugh Binning—The Works of the Rev. Hugh Binning Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life Concerning Peaceableness
Blessed are the peacemakers. Matthew 5:9 This is the seventh step of the golden ladder which leads to blessedness. The name of peace is sweet, and the work of peace is a blessed work. Blessed are the peacemakers'. Observe the connection. The Scripture links these two together, pureness of heart and peaceableness of spirit. The wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable' (James 3:17). Follow peace and holiness' (Hebrews 12:14). And here Christ joins them together pure in heart, and peacemakers', …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12 Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 2 Chronicles 20:33 NIV2 Chronicles 20:33 NLT2 Chronicles 20:33 ESV2 Chronicles 20:33 NASB2 Chronicles 20:33 KJV
2 Chronicles 20:33 Commentaries
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