2nd Chronicles 27 STEADFAST WAYS
It likely was a great joy to poor leprous Uzziah, to see his twenty-five year old son, Jotham, taking hold of the leadership of the country and doing a good job of it. He had time to help his son learn the ways of leadership that pleased the Lord, and at the same time was a living example of what happens to a leader who takes things into his own hands and suffers the consequences of pride. It was a good thing for Jotham "to do right" as his father did, but not to follow his example in that which was wrong. He was a good learner. How important it is for us to be steadfast in following God no matter what others might do. Others are looking on and learning from us.
Each person is responsible to God for his own behavior and convictions that govern that behavior. To be a mere "copy-cat" follower and not make those things we are taught our own, will not keep us from going our own way when it is more convenient. Jotham was a good and successful king, but he could not make the people have his convictions. Good behavior is more often caught and taught at home rather than in public and under popular opinion. The mother of Jotham had a good spiritual upbringing that she could pass on to her son. Her behavior would have had a positive influence on Jotham when he was young. Uzziah was a good man and a good leader, so his son would have seen the projects Uzziah was working on and have learned from his father the reason for the building projects going on. Perhaps he even learned from what his father did the general principle of "them that honor Me, I will honor and they that despise Me will be lightly esteemed." He would also have learned from his father the consequences of improper behavior.
We can learn what to do from those who live for God, but we can also learn what not to do. My actions, attitudes and behavior are a reflection on those who taught me, and my willingness to obey that which is right and reject that which is wrong. In a general sense, good leadership sets the standards of conduct and belief before those who follow their lead. When that is clear and plain before the people, they have to "Choose you this day whom ye will serve." We can present the truth, practice the truth ourselves and seek to urge others to follow the Lord, but we cannot make them actually do it.
Jotham was successful because he did "that which was right in the sight of the Lord." He saw first-hand in his father the consequences of doing that which is right in our own opinion. Sometimes people don't think an action is so serious because we have a tendency to look at people, things and events in the eyes of the world around us instead of the holy eyes of God. Jotham also "prepared his way before the Lord his God." He established, or founded his work on the will of God. He took a stand and was steadfast in the way he knew would please the Lord his God. That is fundamental in any work or service we do. When a person is steadfast in heart, in his word, in hope in confidence and in the faith - they are on solid ground and are building on a firm foundation.
The work one does for the Lord in life often is a reflection of our attitude towards the things of God and the furtherance of His kingdom. Jotham had some times of conflict when he had to lead his people against the rebellious Ammonites. But much of his legacy was in relation to the things he built. He followed on with the work his father had begun by building towers and castles in the forest. With the towers his father had built in the desert, and now these, there would have been quite an array of secure places. A gate, a wall and cities were all evidence of going forward and looking ahead to the future and what it might hold. A critical attitude toward what has been done, and the failures of the past, really has no value apart from learning what not to do. Even though the people we influence may not be people of faith, they will benefit from a steadfast leader's foresight, and hopefully the result will be they will come to know the Lord.
Jotham "became mighty" because he knew the Lord was his strength. He did not become a "prepared" or established leader because of the right things his father did. He had to assume responsibility for his own work and his own faith. When one is steadfast "before the Lord," and when one's life is personally lived in a consistent way, his "works will be established." Jotham was a faithful king and his leadership was one of accomplishment even though the people he led did not make his faith theirs. We cannot make people be what they are not, even though they might have the right outward appearance. It is up to us to commit ourselves unreservedly to following the Lord and living by faith with enthusiasm and vigor. A consistent life lived before God and the people, is probably the best way we have of creating interest in spiritual things on the part of those who look on skeptically in regards to Christianity.