2 Chronicles 17

“Now the Lord was with Jehoshaphat, because he walked in the former ways of his father David; he did not seek the Baals, but sought the God of his father, and walked in His commandments and not according to the acts of Israel. Therefore the Lord established the kingdom in his hand; and all Judah gave presents to Jehoshaphat, and he had riches and honor in abundance. And his heart took delight in the ways of the Lord; moreover he removed the high places and wooden images from Judah.” 2 Chronicles 17:3-6 (NKJV)

I have been in the music business all of my adult life—specifically, the Christian music business.  “Christian” music is the only style of music that is defined exclusively by its lyric content.  In Christian music, what is being said is more important than how it is delivered musically.  That is why Christian music comes in the forms of Praise, Worship, Rock, Choir & Orchestra, Country, Rap, etc.  What makes it “Christian” is not the style of music; it is the subject matter of its lyrics, namely, God’s Word.

Because Christian music albums are marketed products just like any other genre of music, Christian music sales follow the same basic principles of marketing and promotion as secular music: supply & demand.  Christian music marketing departments focus their efforts on raising demand among the population for Christian music and supplying products (specifically, the music of artists on their label roster) that tailor-fit the demand they have raised (or identified through market research).  Seems simple?  Well, it is, in principle.  

But what happens when God’s Word commands us to proclaim His Word boldly, but potential consumers may be offended by the message of God’s Word?  Then tension arises between two competing value systems: the principles of sales and the great commission!  Sadly, sales often win that battle, so much of what could (and most certainly should) be boldly proclaimed through Christian music becomes watered-down to meet the limited spiritual demands of a broader-market Christian consumer.  

Why do I mention all of that?  Jehoshaphat faced a similar dilemma.  As the king of a people (Judah) who were mingling idolatry with their worship of YHWH, Jehoshaphat had to choose whether to give the people what they wanted or what they needed, as commanded by God.  He could have sought popularity, which would have surely meant taking a more liberal stance on idols.  Or, Jehoshaphat could have risked popularity by choosing to trust God and rule according to His Word.  Jehoshaphat chose wisely.  He tore down places of idolatry and sent righteous men throughout the land to teach God’s Word.  And he got both revival AND prosperity.  Oh, that such boldness would overtake Christians today!  

“So they taught in Judah, and had the Book of the Law of the Lord with them; they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people. And the fear of the Lord fell on all the kingdoms of the lands that were around Judah so that they did not make war against Jehoshaphat.”  2 Chronicles 17:9-10 (NKJV)