Reading
- 2 Chron. 22:10-12
- 2 Kings 10:18-28, 30, 29, 31
- 2 Chron. 23:1-11
- 2 Kings 11:13-16
- 2 Chron. 23:16-21
- 2 Kings 12:2-3
Devotional
Yesterday we read how Jehu killed Ahaziah, king of Judah. Ahaziah's mother, Athaliah, forcefully took control of the throne and killed the entire royal family of Judah. But one boy, Joash, was hidden from Athaliah. Joash was taken to the temple where the priest Jehoiada raised him. Athaliah ruled for six years in Judah.
Meanwhile, in Israel, Jehu destroyed the temple of Baal and killed all the priests of Baal. For doing so, GOD promised him that his descendents would reign to the fourth generation. However, Jehu failed to destroy Jeroboam's gold calves and Israel continued its idolatry.
When Joash was seven years old, Jehoida called all the priests and heads of the families to the temple, where they pronounced Joash king of Judah. Athaliah heard the noise and went to the temple to see what was happening. Jehoiada had her siezed and they took her to the place where the horses enter the palace grounds and they put her to death there. So Joash became king at the young age of seven. Jehoiada led the people in making a covenant to GOD that they would be His people. They went throughout the land and destroyed Baal's temple and smashed the altars and idols. Jehoiada restored the worship practices within the temple as GOD had prescribed through Moses and David. The land was quiet now that Athaliah was dead.
Jehoiada instructed Joash and he did what was right in the sight of GOD. However, Joash did not remove the high places and the people continued to sacrifice and burn incense there.
The lesson for us today has to do with the difference that one righteous person can make in a world of evil. What do you think would have happened if Joash had grown up in his father Ahaziah's household? The chances are very good that he would have grown up and done evil before GOD. But while Jehoiada taught him he did what was right before GOD. Jehoiada's good influence went a long way to preserving and restoring good within the land of Judah.
You and I sometimes find ourselves in situations where everyone else seems to be doing evil. We can think, "What difference can I make since everyone is so bad? No one will listen to me." But when you are tempted to think of this, consider what GOD accomplished through Jehoiada. Then be strong and stand up for truth and walk with GOD! Be a good example to others. You might just do something great as a result.
