Read: 2
Kings 11-12
Jehu has killed Ahaziah and Judah is without a
king. Ahaziah’s mother, Athaliah, sees an opportunity. She aims to destroy the
entire royal family, with the aim of gaining power for herself. However, one of
Ahaziah’s sons is saved. Joash’s aunt, Jehosheba, hides him in the temple and
preserves the Davidic line. While Joash is hiding in the temple, growing from
an infant to a boy, Athaliah reigns over Judah. During this time, she
re-instituted Baal-worship. It is interesting that the author of 2 Kings
neither directly refers to Athaliah as queen, nor bookmarks her story with the
signature introduction and conclusion given to monarchs. It was unacceptable in
Judah to have a ruler not from the line of David.
When Joash is seven years old, Jehoiada
orchestrates a takeover of the throne. Jehoiada gathers a royal guard and
equips them with King David’s spears and shields, indicating that they have
Davidic authority, which Athaliah does not. He then crowns Joash king over
Judah. Athaliah decrees that this is treason. However, the people are with
Joash. Athaliah is captured and put to death. “Jehoiada then made a covenant
between the Lord and the king and people that they would be the Lord’s people.
He also made a covenant between the king and the people. All the people of the
land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down” (11:17-18a). A renewed
covenant and the destruction of Baal’s temple – what a triumphant start to the
new king’s reign!
A primary focus of Joash’s reign is the repair
God’s temple. King Joash orders that the money received from several sources be
given directly to the priests to repair the temple. However, after many years,
the priests had not even begun work on the temple! When God or a leader
entrusts us with a responsibility, it is wise to obey quickly. In order to
ensure the project’s completion, the responsibility is removed from the priests
and given to other craftsmen. As funds came in for the project, they were given
directly to the craftsmen. These workers were so honest and trustworthy that
careful accounting of the funds was not necessary. This is almost impossible to
imagine in a culture where meticulous bookkeeping is vital to our economy!
Joash’s reign closes with two events. Hazael
threatens to invade Judah. This leads Joash to bribe Hazael with sacred objects
and gold from the temple and the palace. Joash later dies when his officials
conspire against him and assassinate him.
Prayer and
Journaling
1. Ask God to show you one time recently when you
were quick to obey direction (either from God or from a leader in your life).
Ask Him to show you one time when you were slow to obey.
2. “They did not require an accounting from those
to whom they gave the money to pay the workers, because they acted with
complete honesty” (12:15). Do you handle your finances with complete honesty?
This includes your income, expenditures, giving and taxes. Confess any
dishonesty and selfishness in this. Commit to managing your finances in a way
that builds God’s kingdom, not simply your own. If you need help with this,
consider signing up for the Fresh Start Financial course at Southland.
3. Pray for Christian workers in our nation. Pray
that God’s character would be displayed by how Christians work at their jobs.
Pray that their obedience would come out of submission to Christ. Pray that
they would joyfully serve their employers, customers and co-workers, because
they are truly serving the King of Kings. Pray that believers in our country
would look for ways to advance God’s kingdom through their workplaces.
