2 Chronicles 20:33 (KJV) - "Howbeit the high places were not taken away: for as yet the people had not prepared their hearts unto the God of their fathers."

This verse comes at the end of the story of King Jehoshaphat of Judah. It describes the end of his reign, acknowledging that although he did many things to bring about reform in Judah, the people had not fully turned their hearts towards God.

To truly understand the significance of this verse, it is necessary to look at the context in which it appears. The incident leading to this verse is found in 2 Chronicles 20. In this chapter, we find that the nation of Judah was facing a great threat from several neighboring nations. This crisis led King Jehoshaphat to seek the Lord and call for a fast throughout all Judah. He then led the people in prayer, asking God for help and deliverance.

In response to their prayers, the Lord spoke through Jahaziel, a Levite, promising them the victory. They were told not to be afraid or dismayed, for the battle was the Lord’s. The next day, King Jehoshaphat appointed singers to go before the army, praising the Lord. As they began to sing and praise, the Lord set ambushes against the invading armies, and they were defeated.

After this miraculous victory, the nation of Judah was filled with great joy and gratitude. However, we later read in verse 33 that although the people had witnessed this incredible demonstration of God's power and faithfulness, their hearts were not yet fully committed to the Lord. The "high places" mentioned in the verse refer to the pagan places of worship and idolatrous practices that were still in existence in Judah at the time.

There are several important themes and lessons that can be drawn from this verse. One significant theme is the idea of true repentance and whole-hearted obedience to God. Despite the fact that the people of Judah had seen and experienced God's deliverance, their hearts were still not fully turned towards Him. This serves as a reminder that true spiritual transformation requires a deep and genuine change of heart, and it is not merely about observing rituals or going through the motions.

Another theme that can be drawn from this passage is the importance of removing all forms of idolatry and false worship from our lives. The existence of the high places in Judah indicates that the people were still holding on to practices and beliefs that were contrary to the commands of the Lord. This serves as a warning against compromising with sin and shows the need for complete adherence to God's word.

The symbolism of this verse can be seen in the high places that were not taken away. These high places were reminders of the people's lack of commitment to God and their failure to remove all forms of idolatry from their lives. It serves as a warning that if we do not take active measures to remove sinful practices from our lives, they can continue to have a hold on us and hinder our spiritual growth.

In conclusion, 2 Chronicles 20:33 serves as a sobering reminder of the need for genuine repentance and whole-hearted commitment to God. It also highlights the dangers of compromise and the importance of removing all forms of idolatry from our lives. This verse continues to challenge believers today to examine their own hearts and ensure that they are fully devoted to the Lord.