Kings of the Bibleਨਮੂਨਾ

King Jotham

It’s hard to imagine becoming the king of a nation at the age of 25. When I was that age, I’d been married for a year, and my husband and I were heading off to serve in several short-term mission placements. One was at a hospital in India and the second in South Africa. We were young and adventurous with few responsibilities.

I think of the weight of responsibility that young Jotham had to carry. He was stepping into a role that his father had successfully managed for over 50 years. The rise and fall of the kings of God’s people is a very human story littered with failures and a few faithful servants. It seems Jotham was one of the few who remained personally faithful to God.

Jotham reigned for only 16 years. Although there’s little documented about his reign, we do know that he cared about the people and their safety. He constructed towns in the hill country of Judah, and fortresses and towers in the forests. It seems that Jotham didn’t want to make a big name for himself. He spent his time and energy devoted to God and serving people. I’m inspired by Jotham’s life and the reminder that God is more interested in who we are becoming, rather than who else is taking notice of our works. Jotham didn’t get to sort everything, but he knew that loving God and others was the place to start. Let’s do the same.

Written by KATH HENRY