Teaching by Example

Based on 2 Chronicles 17-18, John 13:1-20

"Also in the third year of his reign he sent to his princes, even to Ben-hail, and to Obadiah, and to Zechariah, and to Nethaneel, and to Michaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah. And with them he sent Levites, even Shemaiah, and Nethaniah, and Zebadiah, and Asahel, and Shemiramoth, and Jehonathan, and Adonijah, and Tobijah, and Tob-adonijah, Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, priests. And they taught in Judah, and had the book of the law of the LORD with them, and went about throughout all the cities of Judah, and taught the people." 2 Chronicles 17:7‭-‬9

King Jehoshaphat of Judah was determined to get The Word & Law of God out there for people to understand & follow. He definitely knew the importance of following God, so he called together all the princes, Levites & priests, and they taught the people. Teachers are very important, and teaching about God's Truth is the most important subject! But we must remember that our example and actions can teach others too! We have to practice what we preach!

"And the fear of the LORD fell upon all the kingdoms of the lands that were round about Judah, so that they made no war against Jehoshaphat." 2 Chronicles 17:10

Even the foreign countries had the fear of The Lord! The teaching of God's Word has far-reaching effects! Again, our follow-through and our application is the confirmation people need to see if we are really genuine. Our example is so important. The life we live can speak volumes into people lives! Remember, sometimes actions speak louder than words, and we are supposed to be living epistles: "Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men:" 2 Corinthians 3:2...just like Jesus is The Word made flesh, we must strive to be the same, allowing Jesus to work & move through us! We can't just talk about Him, we have to be like Him! Even Jehoshaphat had trouble applying this at times...

"And the king said to him, How many times shall I adjure thee that thou say nothing but the truth to me in the name of the LORD?" 2 Chronicles 18:15

King Ahab of Israel became friends with king Jehoshaphat and asked him to fight alongside him...king Jehoshaphat should not have agreed, but he did anyway, even though God allowed all the surrounding countries to fear The Lord! King Jehoshaphat had good intentions previously, in spreading The Word, but he needed to obey more of The Word by being more like it! Even the prophet told them not to go, and told the Truth, but king Ahab & king Jehoshaphat did not want to hear it. They threw the prophet Michaiah in prison, and fought anyway. King Ahab ended up getting killed, but king Jehoshaphat cried out to God for another chance to rely upon Him. Definitely a lesson learned by the one who wanted to teach people God's Word!

"After that he poureth water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples' feet, and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded." John 13:5

We need to be like Jesus. We need to humble ourselves and obey His Word, along with teaching it...but sometimes, the best way to teach it is to be it. The disciples got to see the beauty behind the principles because Jesus lived them out so perfectly. We must strive to let Him work through us so we can teach by example too!