The story has been told that Hollywood many years ago used to be the place of the preachers. The pastors and other Godly people stood as an influence on what kind of films and tv shows came out and what morals they taught. The shows didn’t have to be Christian programs in nature but the pastors made sure they taught good morals and ethics.
But then something happened and the pastors lost interest in working in this field. So they left that place of influence and it quickly changed to what it is now. It affects the whole world.
And while I’ve heard this story many times from those in Hollywood, I have not done extensive research to verify it. But the truth remains, when the teachers and preachers of God are engaged and active, there is a Godly influence that affects nations and those around them.
It’s one thing we see over and over in the Chronicles. When the priests were around, the kings walked in righteousness. In 2 Chr 26 we see this with King Uzziah and his relationship with Zechariah:
“He did what was right in the LORD’s sight as his father Amaziah had done. He sought God throughout the lifetime of Zechariah, the teacher of the fear of God. During the time that he sought the LORD, God gave him success” (2 Chr 26:4-5).
First of all it’s quite amazing that Zechariah was called, “the teacher of the fear of God.” It makes me think, what will I be known for? The teacher of ______________ of God. What will you be known for and what will your family know you for in the Lord?
And secondly it shows just how important it is that the people of God are in the places of influence in society. Not just the prophets but the teachers, the ones who instruct in the ways of the LORD so that nations and people can be rooted in Him.
In 2 Chr 15:4 we see that “For many years Israel has been without the true God, without a teaching priest, and without instruction, but when they turned to the LORD God of Israel in their distress and sought Him, He was found by them.”
In 2 Chr 17:7-9 that when Jehoshaphat wanted to institute revival and reform, he sent out the teachers. “They taught throughout Judah, having the book of the LORD’s instruction with them. They went throughout the towns of Judah and taught the people.”
We also see what these priests had to do in times of great distress where great courage was needed. When Athaliah overtook the throne of Judah, the priest Jehoiada after six years took courage and crowned Joash as the rightful king, usurpring Athaliah (2 Chr 23). Considering her previous murderous rampages, this was very courageous. But he did the right thing and brought the people back under the place of leadership from the house of David.
And when King Uzziah went into the temple to offer incense, something that God only allowed the priests to do, not even the kings, the priests took courage and confronted Uzziah (2 Chr 26). It could have costs the priests their lives to stand up to the King for his evil action, and he indeed was enraged. But the LORD struck the King with a skin disease.
Here’s what we can glean from these Scriptures
- The role of the people of God teaching the ways of God is an important one in society. When anybody walks in godliness in their lives, their work, their families, many are blessed. God is honored. And there’s a corporate fruitful result.
. - The opposite is also true. When the teachers of God vacate places of influence in society, teach falsely about the gospel, the people are likewise affected in significant ways
. - Being a teacher of the things of God takes great courage sometimes. To do what is right even when it may cost your own life. Doing right isn’t violence or acting in a spirit or way of the world rather than a godly way, but rather taking a stand when the day of evil comes. We saw this a lot in WW2. Many gave up their lives to do what was right, including even some Germanic peoples.
When the ways of God are present, known and lived in a nation, that nation is blessed (see The Book that Transforms Nations). This really is a call to get Godly teaching to the peoples in such a way that it isn’t just an information factory, but in ways that are transformation and lead to obedience.