2 Chronicles 17:6
“His heart was lifted up in the ways of Yahweh. Furthermore, he took away the high places and the Asherah poles out of Judah.”
What does 2 Chronicles 17:6 mean?
King Jehoshaphat's confidence in God grew so strong that he began removing the places where people were worshiping false gods and idols throughout his kingdom. The "high places" were hilltop shrines where people made offerings to other deities, and the Asherah poles were wooden objects associated with goddess worship that contradicted Israel's faith in the one true God. What's striking here is the connection: when his heart was lifted up in following God's ways, his actions naturally followed. His growing trust didn't stay private or internal, but moved him to make real changes in his nation, even though such reforms would have been unpopular with those attached to the old practices. This speaks to how genuine faith often works, moving us from inner conviction to outward choices that reflect what we truly believe.