Even with good leadership can corrupting influences affect a nation, a church? Let’s begin in 2 Chronicles 27.
Did Jotham start his reign right, like his father Uzziah? Did the nation follow his example?
Jotham was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jerushah the daughter of Zadok. And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Uzziah had done (although he did not enter the temple of the Lord). But still the people acted corruptly. (2 Chr 27:1-2 NKJV)
Was Jotham blessed because he was careful to obey the Lord?
Jotham rebuilt the upper gate of the Temple of the Lord. He also did extensive rebuilding on the wall at the hill of Ophel. He built towns in the hill country of Judah and constructed fortresses and towers in the wooded areas. Jotham went to war against the Ammonites and conquered them. Over the next three years he received from them an annual tribute of 7,500 pounds of silver, 50,000 bushels of wheat, and 50,000 bushels of barley. King Jotham became powerful because he was careful to live in obedience to the Lord his God. (2 Chr 27:3-6 NLT)
Was his reign stable and prosperous though somewhat short?
Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all his wars and his ways, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah. He was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. Jotham slept with his fathers, and they buried him in David’s city; and Ahaz his son reigned in his place. (2 Chr 27:7-9 WEB)
As a corrupting influence affected Judah despite having a good king, are churches warned against corrupting influences?
[Pergamum] But I have a few things against you, because you have some there who follow Balaam’s teaching. Balaam had taught Balak to trip up the Israelites so that they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality. In the same way, you have some who follow the Nicolaitans’ teaching… [Thyatira] But I have this against you: you put up with that woman, Jezebel, who calls herself a prophet. You allow her to teach and to mislead my servants into committing sexual immorality and eating food sacrificed to idols. (Rev 2:14-15, 20 CEB)
Even with good leadership can corrupting influences affect a nation, a church? You decide!
