2 Chronicles 27:2, 6 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father Uzziah did; Howbeit he entered not into the temple of the Lord. And the people did yet corruptly….So Jotham became mighty, because he prepared his ways before the Lord his God.
Jotham was generally a good king, but his people remained as corrupt as they had been. He did that which was right and he prepared his ways before the Lord. For this reason he became mighty, for God blessed him. God responds with blessings for those who are faithful to Him.
However, the people did not follow his example, but they remained as corrupt as they had been under Uzziah. Those you lead may not always follow your example, but that should not affect the way you live for God. Although the leader’s response to God was commendable, the people did not respond as he did, but did corruptly. They were not faithful in their faith or practices to the one true God.
We will believe God and live in Him and enjoy His blessing, no matter what the world around us believes and acts. We are not conformed to the world but are transformed by the renewal of our mind. Jotham is to be commended for sticking to his guns in a difficult time, but he is not commended as a leader for his influence did not seem to affect the people’s faith and life. Our response to difficult times is: “As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”