Lessons on Jotham (1)—Imitating the Faith of Our Predecessors - All The LORD is near Daily Devotionals for 2024

[Jotham] did what was right in the eyes of the Lord according to all that his father Uzziah had done, except he did not enter the temple of the Lord.
2 Chronicles 27:2

Lessons on Jotham (1)—Imitating the Faith of Our Predecessors
When we compare the summary of the reign of Jotham with the one of his father, we readily notice an important word: "except." Jotham followed in the path of faith of his father, but not blindly: he learned from the good and bad things Uzziah did. He was very clever: he took the time to observe, think, and learn from what his father did. In fact, we can say that his father had a very important influence on his son; and because Jotham was disposed to do what is right, despite his father's huge failure, he learned from it and made sure not to repeat it. And so Jotham followed in the faith and works of his father—both were into great building projects—but not in his sin.

We are also encouraged to do the same in the New Testament, when we read in Hebrews 13:7, "Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God. Consider the outcome of their way of life, and imitate their faith." Let us also imitate the faith of our predecessors! But let us notice that we must imitate their faith, not their works, nor what they did, nor their person or personality. It is not that which we must imitate, but their faith: this faith that made them act as they did, and go forward under the eye of God, and do the works they did. Yes, this same faith that influenced their whole personality and renewed their mind so as to walk, to work, and even to die, having before their eyes Christ in glory.

The apostle Paul also wrote, "Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ" (1 Cor. 11:1). This call Paul made to the Corinthians is also a call for us today: to be imitators of our predecessors. No one is perfect, but let us imitate their faith. And today, as we seek to be imitators of Christ, let us be a good example of faith, in our walk and talk, to those around us.

Alexandre Leclerc