2 Chronicles 24
-This chapter reveals how a great and Godly start does not
necessarily mean whole hearted devotion. It is all about the finish and the
faithfulness that God requires from His true servants. Joash was a good leader
only under the authority of the righteous Jehoiada. As soon as the priest of
God passed at the ripe old age of 130, Joash began to show his true colors as
an idol compromiser and a king of the people, not the LORD. While Jehoiada was
alive, the kingdom prospered as needed repairs were made to the Temple by the
funding from the people as Moses had commanded by the Word of the LORD.
Righteousness had been restored from the paganistic period during Athaliah and
her sons. When Jehoiada passed away, he was honored for his well done job “in
Israel and to God and His House (2 Chronicles 24:16).” He was a good man and
was buried in the tombs among the kings in the city of David.
-However, after his death things changed dramatically in the
kingdom of Judah. “They abandoned the House of the LORD, the God of their
fathers, and served the Asherim (wooden symbols of a female deity) and the
idols; so wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for their guilt (2 Chronicles
24:18).” God sent prophets to bring them back to Him, but they would not
listen. Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, was at the forefront of this correcting
movement under the direction of the Holy Spirit. His harsh words for the
purpose of redemption and prosperity were taken with a bitter response that
actually took his life. He was stoned to death in the court of the House of the
LORD in an unholy and extremely profane move under the authority of Joash. Because
they had forsaken the LORD, He had now forsaken them. The LORD would see and avenge
as the prophet Zechariah had proclaimed (2 Chronicles 24:19-22).
-At the turn of the year, the Arameans came up against Joash
and Judah at Jerusalem. Their small army was given an amazing victory by the Hand
of the LORD. Joash was left very sick as they departed, and he was killed by conspirators
because of the blood of the son of Jehoiada the priest. Joash was murdered on his
bed buried in the city of David, but not in the tombs of the kings. His son Amaziah
would now become the king in Judah with a divided heart (2 Chronicles 25:2).
-*Application* We must be responsive to correcting voices that
come from the LORD in our own lives. If a word comes to you based on and in uniform
with the Word of God, take heed. God is faithful and just to cleanse us from our
waywardness if we will simply turn back to Him (1 John 1:9). He always provides
a chance for that. However, if we decide we want to forsake Him and neglect His
Word in rebellion, He will eventually forsake us and redemption becomes impossible
for Him to impart to us. Learn the lessons of receiving prophetic correction. It
will prosper you greatly in the long run.
Verses to Memorize: 2
Chronicles 24:19-20
No comments:
Post a Comment