2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 24:1-14

It seems that Satan must have celebrated when Athaliah was on the throne of David with all the Davidic line assinated and Baal worship set up in the land. But God had made a covenant promise and He doesn't take those promises lightly. He had a plan. How exciting this must have been to see a spiritual turnaround of Judah.

Joash reigned forty years and the Chronicler notes that he did what was right in God's eyes during Jehoida's lifetime. This seems to indicate the guidance and wise counsel that he offered Joash.

The king set out to restore the temple. This was beyond normal maintenance costs of running the temple. The sons of Athaliah had taken much of the temple tools and furnishings and used them in Baal worship. They set up an offering box so those coming to the temple could make an additional offering towards the restoration. God provided for the temple by the hands of His people. He moved in the hearts of those He called to make an offering and provide for the work Jehoida and Joash had set forward.

The work was finished and offerings were made to the Lord; but its worth noting that this happened all the days of Jehoida, not the days of Joash.

2 Chronicles 24:15-22

Jehoida passes away. He is given a kings burial. This marks a turning point for the nation and for Joash. Joash apparently lacked the strength to lead. He was a man-pleaser; allowing the leaders of Judah to lead the nation into apostasy. Joah failed to see the wrath as a consequence of the nation's sin. He failed to heed the warning of the prophets. The king failed to lead the people, yet he led the mob to silence the word of the Lord given through this prophet. But silencing the word doesn't no silence God, nor does it change his plans. The prophet said the Lord had forsaken them and they then prove that it was so.

2 Chronicles 24:23-27

Joash may have started well but he continues to fall away. He falls into the hands of an angry God as judgment is executed against him and Judah. They are conquered by the Syrians and their leaders were killed and the spoil of Judah was carried to Damascus. Joash was injured in this action; he was then killed by his own servants as vengaeance for the blood of Jehoida's sons. He was not given the burial of a king.

It's fascinating that his servants were not even Jews, but the son of a Ammonitess and Moabitess. See also 2 Kings 12:21. Was the Chronicler placing blame on foreigners? It seems the foreigners had higher standards and moral fiber than the Jewish leaders surrounding them.

©2017 Doug Ford