RTW 2023

But after Jehoiada’s death, the leaders of Judah came and bowed before King Joash and persuaded him to listen to their advice. They decided to abandon the Temple of the LORD, the God of their ancestors, and they worshiped Asherah poles and idols instead! Because of this sin, divine anger fell on Judah and Jerusalem. Yet the LORD sent prophets to bring them back to him. The prophets warned them, but still the people would not listen.

Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, “This is what God says: Why do you disobey the LORD’s commands and keep yourselves from prospering? You have abandoned the LORD, and now he has abandoned you!”

Then the leaders plotted to kill Zechariah, and King Joash ordered that they stone him to death in the courtyard of the LORD’s Temple. That was how King Joash repaid Jehoiada for his loyalty—by killing his son. Zechariah’s last words as he died were, “May the LORD see what they are doing and avenge my death!”
2 Chronicles 24:17-22

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Joash did what was pleasing in the LORD’s sight throughout the lifetime of Jehoiada the priest.

2 Chronicles 24:2

• Chronicles is a selective history of the Jewish people.
• The book encourages their trust in their covenant-keeping God who is at work in their lives.
• It is written to a people after they return home from exile.
• These people have big questions.
• Are they still the recipients of God’s promises that He gave in the past?
• Is the Davidic covenant of 2 Samuel 7 still intact?
• Athaliah had tried to kill off the house of Judah.
• Jehoiada protected Joash.
• Jehoiada raised Joash.
• Jehoiada’s son Zechariah was killed by orders of Joash.
• When the crisis hit, Joash’s faith faltered.  
• He lived off of Jehoiada’s faith.
• We cannot borrow the faith of another.
• “We must act in religion from an inward principle which will carry us on through all changes, then the loss of a parent, a minister, a friend, will not involve the loss of our religion.” – Matthew Henry
• We need to be careful in times of security and prosperity, and when life is good, to realize that is when we are the most vulnerable to listen to the world.
• Grace was given to Joash and his people. God sent them prophets. They did not listen.
• God still kept His promises.

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Make sure my faith is my own…and real! When the crisis comes, my faith will not falter.