Saturday, August 3, 2013

Joash the King of Judah

I finished reading the story of Joash this Sabbath morning. It is an interesting story. You can find it in 2 Chronicles 22-24. Joash is hidden because an evil lady killed "all the royal heirs of the house of Judah." (2 Chronicles 22:10). In verse 11, Joash is hidden by Jehoshaeath, the wife of Jehoida the priest. They kept him hidden "in the house of God for six years, while Athaliah reigned over the land." (2 Chronicles 22:12).

Then Jehoiada and the people made a plan and made Joash king. Of course this made Athaliah very unhappy and so she yelled, "Treason! Treason!" (2 Chronicles 23:13). But she was taken and killed. "Then Jehoiada made a covenant between himself, the people, and the king, that they should be the Lord’s people." (2 Chronicles 23:16).

And as long as Jehoiada was alive, Joash did well. It was when he died that Joash strayed. In 2 Chronicles 24:15, Jehoiada died. In verse 17-18, "the leaders of Judah came and bowed down to the king. And the king listened to them. Therefore they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served wooden images and idols; and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem because of their trespass." (2 Chronicles 24:17-18).

They left the true God to serve idols. I don't get it. Joash was doing good. But when Jehoiada died, and the leaders of Judah came to him, he abandoned his faith. I find it interesting that it was the LEADERS of Judah that encouraged Joash to go astray.

But God was merciful. He allowed things to come their way to bring them back to Him. When we stray, God allows things to come our way to get our attention back on Him. He loves us and wants nothing more than for us to be in Heaven with Him. But we can't do that if we are not following Him.

But God not only allowed things to happen to Judah, "He sent prophets to them, to bring them back to the Lord; and they testified against them, but they would not listen." (2 Chronicles 24:19). God spoke through Zechariah the son of Jehoiada saying, “Thus says God: ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, He also has forsaken you.’”(2 Chronicles 24:20). But Joash the king commanded him to be put to death.  

It's interesting how it was the leaders of the kingdom who lead the people astray. It was the king who commanded Zechariah to be killed. People who refuse to give up their sins don't like the people of God. The people of God point out things that are sinful (in a loving but firm way) and those who don't want to give up those sins don't like to hear it.

This story is in the Bible as a lesson for us all. God does not want us to abandon Him but He does not force our will. He allowed the people to make their own choices. He tried to bring them back to Him, but again, He allowed them to choose what they wanted. He does not force people to follow Him. 

I know I've gone astray several times in my life. But God is always there to welcome me back.

 But one day God's people will no longer have to worry about being persecuted. One day, earth will be purified from sin. Jesus is coming soon folks. :-)