Learn from Jotham – Prepared His Ways

For Ezra had prepared his heart to seek the Torah of HaShem, and to do it, and to teach in Israel statutes and judgments.
Ezra 7:10

Introduction

• Jotham [“HaShem is perfect”]
• 1 Chron 3:12: Son of Uzziah; grandfather of Hezekiah. His mother was of the priestly Zadok line.
• Ruled from ~759 BCE to 742 BCE (16 years – not counting the 14 years he was regent)
• Began ruling at age 25

Successes                                                             

• 2Chron 27:1-2: He did what was right, and recognized his father’s error and presumption.
• 27:3-4: He fortified and built up Jerusalem, the Temple gates etc.
• 27:5: Military successes.
• 27:6: “and was strengthened” [vayit’chazeik], because he ordered [from root kun] his life by HaShem’s ways.

Failures                                                           

• 27:2; 2Kings 15:35: The people still acted corruptly – the people still offered incense at the high places.

Lesson from Jotham                                                    

• 27:6: Prepared his ways before HaShem [ki hekhyin d’rakhav lif’nei HaShem]. hekhyin from root kun.
• kun = to establish, set up, prepare. An order, or discipline.
• Ex 16:5: Preparing the double-portion of manna.
• 1Chron 22:10: Established the throne of David forever.
• Ps 78:8: No pattern, no setting the heart aright.
• Ezra 7:10: There is a discipline needed to prepare your heart to seek HaShem.

Summary                                                               

• It seems that Jotham learned a lot from his father’s failure. He learned that a consistent and persistent ordering of your ways can strengthen you against failure. G-d strengthened him because he lived a disciplined life.