Jehoram, King of Judah and son of Jehoshaphat, was a scoundrel if ever there was one. Upon taking the throne he had all his brothers killed, along with some of the princes. He “did what was evil in the sight of the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 21:6.) He reigned over Judah for eight miserable years and finally died at age forty of a disease in his bowels sent to him from the Lord. At his death, “his people made no fire in his honor, like the fires made for his fathers . . . and he departed with no one’s regret.” (2 Chronicles 21:19,20 RSV.)
Here was a man who helped the world by leaving it.
Will Rogers once said, “You can judge a man’s greatness by how much he will be missed.”
Solomon observed, “The memory of the just is blessed: but the name of the wicked shall rot.” (Proverbs 10:7.)
Think for a moment. What images, what impressions do the name Judas, Jezebel and Cain bring to mind? These biblical characters wasted the better part of their lives, forever marred their names, and like Jehoram, “died with no one’s regret.”
On the other hand, we remember with fondness and appreciation such heroes as Abraham, Moses, Peter and Paul.
Dorcas, a “woman . . . full of good works and alms deeds which she did,” was greatly missed when she died. Before raising her from the dead, Peter witnessed the love her friends had for her – “and all the widows stood by him weeping, and showing the coats and garments which Dorcas made, while she was with them.” (Acts 9:36,39.) Dorcas was missed.