2 Chronicles 20:33 – “The high places, however, were not removed, and the people still had not set their hearts on the God of their ancestors.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
This verse highlights an area of unfinished spiritual reform during the reign of King Jehoshaphat. While Jehoshaphat is praised for his faithfulness and for seeking to lead the nation of Judah in the worship of God, there were still lingering issues. The “high places” mentioned in the verse refer to altars and worship sites located on hilltops, often used for the worship of false gods or as places for improper worship practices.
Despite Jehoshaphat’s efforts to bring the people back to the true worship of God, these high places were not completely removed, and the people had not fully committed themselves to God. The verse points to the incomplete nature of the people’s devotion, even though they had a godly king. It serves as a reminder that even under faithful leadership, true devotion to God must come from the hearts of the people.
Historical Context
At this time in Judah’s history, King Jehoshaphat had been working to bring about spiritual reform. He had removed many idols and promoted the teaching of God’s law throughout the kingdom. Jehoshaphat’s reign was marked by his faithfulness and efforts to strengthen the nation spiritually and politically. However, as this verse indicates, his reforms were not entirely successful in rooting out all forms of idol worship.
The high places had long been a problem in both Judah and Israel. These locations were often used for worship that deviated from the instructions God had given about how and where He should be worshiped. While some high places may have been used to worship the true God, they were not in line with the centralized worship that God had commanded to take place at the temple in Jerusalem. More often, they were sites for pagan rituals.
The verse also reflects the stubbornness of the people, who had not fully committed their hearts to God despite Jehoshaphat’s efforts. This was a recurring issue throughout the history of Israel and Judah, where spiritual reforms were often met with only partial obedience from the people.
Theological Implications
This verse has several important theological implications. First, it reminds us that outward reforms and changes, while important, are not enough if people’s hearts are not fully committed to God. Jehoshaphat worked hard to lead Judah back to true worship, but ultimately, the people’s hearts needed to be transformed for the reforms to have lasting impact. This speaks to the biblical theme that true worship must come from the heart and not merely from external practices (1 Samuel 16:7).
Second, the verse highlights the persistent danger of idolatry. Even though Judah had a godly king, the presence of the high places shows how deeply entrenched idolatry and improper worship practices were. This is a reminder that sin, especially in the form of idolatry, can be hard to root out completely. It also emphasizes that half-hearted devotion to God can lead to compromise in worship and life.
Finally, the verse points to the need for ongoing spiritual vigilance. Jehoshaphat’s efforts were good, but they were incomplete, showing that even in times of reform, there can still be areas where people fall short of fully honoring God. This teaches us that spiritual growth and reform are continual processes that require diligence and perseverance.
Literary Analysis
The structure of the verse contrasts the positive aspects of Jehoshaphat’s reign with the lingering spiritual shortcomings of the people. The phrase “The high places, however, were not removed” signals that despite Jehoshaphat’s faithfulness, there were still areas of failure. The conjunction “however” serves as a pivot, showing that while the king did what was right, the people had not yet fully responded in kind.
The second part of the verse, “the people still had not set their hearts on the God of their ancestors,” reflects the deeper issue of incomplete spiritual commitment. The mention of the “God of their ancestors” connects the people’s failure to the covenant that God had made with their forefathers, emphasizing their need to return fully to the worship of the true God.
This verse uses simple, direct language to convey a profound spiritual truth: true devotion to God cannot be achieved by external reform alone. The people’s hearts must be changed, and until that happens, incomplete reforms will leave room for sin and idolatry.
Biblical Cross-References
- 1 Samuel 15:22 – “But Samuel replied: ‘Does the Lord delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the Lord? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.'” This passage highlights the importance of obedience and wholehearted devotion over external religious practices, similar to the issue with the high places in Judah.
- 2 Kings 12:3 – “The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.” This verse echoes the same problem that persisted in Judah, where incomplete reforms left room for improper worship.
- Psalm 51:17 – “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” This verse speaks to the importance of a heart fully surrendered to God, which was missing in the people during Jehoshaphat’s reign.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse serves as a reminder that half-hearted devotion to God is not enough. Just as the high places remained in Judah, representing a lingering attachment to improper worship, there can be areas in our lives where we fail to fully commit to God. Outward actions, like attending church or participating in religious activities, are important, but they must be accompanied by a sincere heart that seeks to follow God in all areas of life.
This verse challenges us to examine our own lives for “high places” where we might be holding back from fully submitting to God. It reminds us that God desires more than external compliance—He wants our hearts fully devoted to Him.
Additionally, the verse speaks to the importance of perseverance in spiritual growth. Like Jehoshaphat, we may work to bring about reform in our lives and in the lives of those around us, but we must recognize that spiritual change is a continual process. We cannot become complacent but must continue seeking God’s help in rooting out sin and growing in faithfulness.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
This verse shows that God desires wholehearted devotion from His people because He knows what is best for them. God’s love is not content with partial obedience or divided hearts. He longs for His people to experience the fullness of life that comes from fully committing to Him. The fact that this verse highlights the people’s failure to set their hearts on God shows that God is concerned with their inner spiritual condition, not just their outward actions.
God’s love is also shown in His patience. Even though the people had not fully turned to Him, God continued to work through leaders like Jehoshaphat to bring about spiritual reform. God’s desire is always to draw His people back to Himself, showing His steadfast love and willingness to guide them toward true worship.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse connects to Jesus Christ because, through Jesus, God has provided the ultimate way for people to set their hearts fully on Him. While the people of Judah struggled with incomplete devotion, Jesus came to offer a way for hearts to be transformed and for true worship to be restored. Through His life, death, and resurrection, Jesus dealt with the root problem of sin, making it possible for us to be fully devoted to God.
- John 4:23-24 – “Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.” Jesus calls us to worship in spirit and truth, something that goes beyond outward practices to a heartfelt devotion to God.
- Ezekiel 36:26 – “I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.” Jesus makes this promise of a new heart possible, transforming us from within so that we can fully follow God.
Through Jesus, we are given the power to tear down the “high places” in our own lives and live in complete devotion to God.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Are there any “high places” in your life—areas where you are not fully committed to God? How can you address those areas?
- What steps can you take to ensure that your devotion to God is not just outward but comes from a sincere heart?
- How does Jesus’ teaching on worship in spirit and truth challenge you to deepen your relationship with God?
- In what ways can you persevere in your spiritual growth, recognizing that full devotion to God is a continual process?
- How can you encourage others in their journey of faith, helping them move from half-hearted commitment to wholehearted devotion to God?
This verse challenges us to examine our own hearts and ensure that our worship of God is sincere and complete. Just as the high places remained a problem in Judah, we may have areas in our lives that need to be fully submitted to God. Through Jesus, we have the power to live in true devotion, setting our hearts fully on God and experiencing the fullness of life that comes from following Him.