2 Kings 15:35 – “The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. Jotham rebuilt the Upper Gate of the temple of the Lord.”
Extended Explanation
This verse highlights two key aspects of King Jotham’s reign. First, it points out a shortcoming: while Jotham was a righteous king, he did not remove the high places where the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense. The high places were locations often associated with improper worship, even if some of the sacrifices were directed toward God. The failure to remove these high places was a recurring problem for many kings of Judah, as it represented a compromise in fully adhering to the worship practices God had prescribed.
Secondly, the verse highlights Jotham’s positive contribution to the spiritual and physical life of Judah by noting that he rebuilt the Upper Gate of the temple. This rebuilding effort reflects Jotham’s concern for maintaining and strengthening the central place of worship in Jerusalem. The temple was the heart of Judah’s relationship with God, and Jotham’s investment in its upkeep demonstrates his commitment to leading the nation in the right direction, even if it was not perfect.
Historical Context
Jotham ruled Judah during a time of growing external threats, particularly from the northern kingdom of Israel and Aram (Syria), as well as the emerging power of the Assyrian Empire. His father, Uzziah, had been a strong and prosperous king, but his reign ended in disgrace after he attempted to assume the priestly role and was struck with leprosy. Jotham took over leadership while his father was still alive but incapacitated, and he continued to lead Judah after Uzziah’s death.
Despite the external challenges, Judah remained relatively stable during Jotham’s reign. However, the people’s continued use of high places for worship reveals a spiritual weakness that would eventually contribute to Judah’s decline. Although Jotham himself was faithful, the persistence of these high places indicates that the nation as a whole struggled to maintain pure worship.
Theological Implications
Theologically, this verse points to the tension between personal righteousness and communal faithfulness. Jotham was a good and faithful king, yet the people under his leadership continued to worship in ways that were not fully in line with God’s commands. This serves as a reminder that even when leaders are faithful, the spiritual condition of the nation or community may still be compromised. It also underscores the importance of addressing not just personal faithfulness but also the collective practices of a community.
The rebuilding of the Upper Gate of the temple reflects Jotham’s desire to strengthen the worship of God in Judah. The temple was the central place where God’s presence was symbolized, and Jotham’s investment in maintaining it demonstrates his commitment to proper worship. However, the failure to remove the high places shows that even good leaders may fall short in fully reforming their people’s spiritual practices.
Literary Analysis
This verse contrasts two aspects of Jotham’s reign: his failure to remove the high places and his positive contribution to the temple. The mention of the high places being left intact is a common critique found throughout the Books of Kings, especially when dealing with kings of Judah who were otherwise righteous. This recurring theme highlights the struggle to fully reform worship in Israel and Judah, where high places often represented a blend of pagan practices with the worship of God.
The reference to the rebuilding of the Upper Gate of the temple provides a counterbalance to the critique, showing that Jotham made significant efforts to strengthen the central place of worship. This dual aspect of his reign—failing to remove the high places but focusing on the temple—reveals the complexity of leadership and the challenge of achieving full spiritual reform.
Biblical Cross-References
- 1 Kings 15:14: This verse describes a similar situation with King Asa, who did what was right in the eyes of the Lord but also failed to remove the high places.
- 2 Kings 12:3: Another example of a good king, Jehoash, who allowed the high places to remain even while doing what was right in the Lord’s sight.
- 2 Chronicles 27:3: This passage adds more detail about Jotham’s building projects, including his construction efforts to strengthen Judah.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse serves as a reminder of the importance of complete faithfulness to God. While Jotham was a good king, his failure to remove the high places represents the danger of leaving compromises in our spiritual lives. It challenges believers to examine areas where they may be holding onto practices or attitudes that are not fully in line with God’s will. Just as the high places represented a partial obedience, we too can sometimes hold back from fully following God.
At the same time, Jotham’s positive contributions show that even imperfect leaders can make significant strides toward leading people in the right direction. His efforts to rebuild the Upper Gate of the temple reflect the importance of maintaining a central focus on God in both personal and communal worship. For Christians, this underscores the need to prioritize the worship of God and ensure that our spiritual “gates” are in good repair.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
This verse highlights God’s patience and love for His people, even when they fall short. Though the high places were not removed, and the people continued in some improper worship practices, God did not immediately bring judgment. His love for Judah is shown in the way He continued to bless and guide them through Jotham’s leadership. God’s love is patient, allowing room for growth and repentance, even when full obedience is not yet achieved.
God’s willingness to work through imperfect leaders like Jotham also reflects His grace. He does not require perfection from His people before He is willing to bless them and guide them. Instead, He patiently works through their efforts, even when they fall short, always desiring to bring them into a deeper relationship with Him.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Jotham’s reign, though marked by faithfulness, was still incomplete in its spiritual reform. This points to the need for a perfect King—Jesus Christ. While Jotham rebuilt the temple gate, Jesus came to be the true temple, the place where God’s presence dwells fully and perfectly. Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection accomplished what no earthly king could: complete and perfect obedience to God.
In Christ, there are no “high places” left standing. Jesus calls His followers to complete surrender and full devotion to God. Through Him, we are able to worship God in spirit and truth, without compromise or partial obedience. Jesus fulfills the role of the perfect King who leads His people into pure worship and a restored relationship with God.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What “high places” might still exist in your own life—areas where you are not fully surrendering to God’s will?
- How can Jotham’s example of rebuilding the temple’s gate inspire you to strengthen your own spiritual practices and prioritize worship in your life?
- How does God’s patience with Judah during Jotham’s reign encourage you about His love and grace in your own spiritual journey?
- In what ways does Jesus fulfill the role of the perfect King, and how can we follow His example of complete obedience to God?