CORRUPTION FORBIDDEN!
Thursday, September 1, 2016
READ: II CHRONICLES 19
1 Then Jehoshaphat the king of Judah returned safely to his house in Jerusalem. 2 And Jehu the son of Hanani the seer went out to meet him, and said to King Jehoshaphat, "Should you help the wicked and love those who hate the LORD? Therefore the wrath of the LORD is upon you 3 "Nevertheless good things are found in you, in that you have removed the wooden images from the land, and have prepared your heart to seek God." 4 So Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem; and he went out again among the people from Beersheba to the mountains of Ephraim, and brought them back to the LORD God of their fathers. 5 ¶ Then he set judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, 6 and said to the judges, "Take heed to what you are doing, for you do not judge for man but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment. 7 "Now therefore, let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take care and do it, for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, no partiality, nor taking of bribes." 8 Moreover in Jerusalem, for the judgment of the LORD and for controversies, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites and priests, and some of the chief fathers of Israel, when they returned to Jerusalem. 9 And he commanded them, saying, "Thus you shall act in the fear of the LORD, faithfully and with a loyal heart: 10 "Whatever case comes to you from your brethren who dwell in their cities, whether of bloodshed or offenses against law or commandment, against statutes or ordinances, you shall warn them, lest they trespass against the LORD and wrath come upon you and your brethren. Do this, and you will not be guilty. 11 "And take notice: Amariah the chief priest is over you in all matters of the LORD; and Zebadiah the son of Ishmael, the ruler of the house of Judah, for all the king's matters; also the Levites will be officials before you. Behave courageously, and the LORD will be with the good."
In today’s passage, King Jehoshaphat put the kingdom in spiritual order, set judges in the land and gave them the principles with which they would judge the people. The first thing the judges needed to realise was that the work they did, though secular, was God’s work. Conscious of the fact, they were to eschew bribery and partiality.
Today, partiality, bribery, tribalism, nepotism and various acts of corruption are the order of the day, even among Christians in public and private work places. Some Christians in position of authority abuse and desecrate their offices just for the lust for money, power and sex. The Bible strictly warns us not to give or take bribe, for it is the way of the wicked. It also frowns at partiality and strictly warns us not to be unrighteous in judgment, but to judge our neighbours in righteousness and integrity.
Integrity is not just a matter of word; it is a matter of practice. Anywhere you find yourself working –whether in the village, Church, civil service etc., be careful to say “No” to corruption.
Prayer: Lord God, give me the grace and boldness, so that in my word, thought and deed, I may say “No” to corruption and “Yes” to righteousness