34He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Uzziah had done.
King Jotham of Judah did the right things personally. That is a good thing. The next verse says that he didn’t remove the places of worship that the people had set up in previous generations, places of idol worship. He was able to personally do the right thing, but he wasn’t able or willing to lead the people in the narrow path of obedience. He allowed them to continue to follow a path that will lead them to destruction. So, can a leader impose moral behavior on those who follow? Can a leader change people’s hearts? Can a leader set the conditions for obedience? Can a leader remove obstacles to obedience? Governments can get in the way of obedience. They can also help clear the path for obedience. But government cannot change a person’s heart, the central tenant of the Christian life. Only the Lord can change the heart. Moral behavior cannot be legislated, because morality involves the condition of the heart when acts are carried out. Only a morally upright person can carry out a morally upright act. No act, no matter how noble, is upright if the person is not upright. Fresh water cannot come from a salt spring.
The Arnold Journey 