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Part 3 of the Series:
All quotations are taken from the New King James Bible
In this series we are examining statements made about some of the kings of Judah - how they will be remembered. Previously we considered Jehoram, who departed without being desired. Now we turn to Jehoram’s grandson Joash.
The kings make for thrilling reading, full of intrigue, ambition, and violence. Jehoram’s son Ahaziah was another evil king. He was hunted and killed in Samaria by Jehu. Ahaziah was ‘the [grand]son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the Lord with all his heart’, 2 Chr. 22. 9. It is tragic to see the complete failure of Jehoshaphat’s son and grandson. Sadly, it is still possible for the same to happen: a generation to turn its back on what faithful believers have established, leading to individual and family failure. Let us determine to remain faithful to the Lord and His word.
When Athaliah saw her son was dead she seized the throne, destroying the seed royal - murdering members of her own family! It’s a reminder that we have enemies: the world, the flesh, and the Devil, all of which seek to dominate us - we must resist, allowing God’s Spirit to have dominion over our lives. The Devil was clearly behind Athaliah, his aim to kill off the kingly line through which the Messiah would come. God would not allow this. Step forward Jehoshabeath, ‘the lady who saved Christmas’, according to DALE RALPH Davis! She smuggled the baby Joash into the temple and, along with her husband Jehoiada the priest, protected him for six years, 2 Chr. 22. 11, 12. Godly women are so necessary. I well remember an older sister in Bridge of Weir who supported me through my difficult teenage years - the warmth of her friendship, the sternness of her rebuke when necessary. Her prayers were sincere and helped to preserve me as a young Christian. Godly sisters have such a valuable role to play in our individual and assembly lives. Although rightly silent in public gatherings, their influence is invaluable. Eventually Jehoshabeath’s husband Jehoiada presented the six-year-old king to Judah. He covenanted with the military to protect Joash, and through collecting and arming the tribe of Levi he encouraged an environment of worship, ch. 23. Protection from the world along with worship and service of God are key features of the church. We should ensure that we gather with the Lord’s people at every opportunity. The king was then presented to the people. Athaliah’s reign of evil was over. On behalf of young Joash, Jehoiada set a great foundation for the people. The result was that the people rejoiced, v. 21, and the city was quiet. We must be before the Lord, asking that He would give us the courage to stand firm as He did for Jehoshabeath and Jehoiada.
Joash reigned for forty years and ‘did what was right in the sight of the Lord’, 24. 2: He married and had children; he restored the temple that Athaliah had ruined; he ensured the people played a role in the restoration; he acted quickly, and the work was completed; the house of God was restored to its original condition and reinforced. Sacrifices were offered once again, and all was well.
Jehoiada the priest died at the age of 130 years. He had been faithful to God, he had ‘done good in Israel, both toward God and His house’, v. 16. What happened to Joash when his godly influence was no longer there? To complete the quotation from verse 2, ‘Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest’. After Jehoiada died, Joash changed. He was influenced by the princes of Judah. He abandoned the house of God, abandoned God Himself; he returned to serving idols; he would not heed the prophets; he even had Jehoiada’s son Zechariah stoned for speaking out, v. 22. The result was God’s judgement, executed by the Syrians who attacked and stripped the wealth of the temple, taking it to Damascus. Joash was wounded in the battle and his own servants assassinated him for his wickedness towards Zechariah. In short, his fall was dramatic when Jehoiada was gone.
The principle of a godly mentor is scriptural: Elisha spent years learning from Elijah; Timothy spent years with Paul; the disciples spent more than three years with the Lord. However, when they were left without the physical presence of their teacher they were expected to stand on their own two feet; in the language of Paul, to ‘work out your own salvation with fear and trembling’, Phil. 2. 12. Where will the power for this come from? ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’, 4. 13.
May God give us the wisdom to lean on Him for all the strength we need, even when all other support has gone.
