SCRIPTURE: 2 KINGS 12
JOASH REPAIRS THE TEMPLE (vs. 1-21)
Joash became king when he was 7 years old. He reigned in Jerusalem for 40 years. Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed the instruction of Jehoiada the priest. However, he did not remove the high place so the people continued to offer sacrifice and burn incense there. Joash told the priest to collect all the money brought as sacred offering to the temple of the Lord to use it in repairing the damage in the temple. So they bought timber and stones and appointed men to supervise the work of the carpenters, builders, masons and stonecutter. But the money from the guilt offering and sin offering belonged to the priest.
Hazael, king of Aram attacked and captured Gath. Then he turned to attack Jerusalem. Joash, king of Judah took all the sacred objects dedicated by his fathers – Jehoshaphat, Jehoram and Ahaziah, the kings of Judah – and the gifts he himself had dedicated and all the gold found in the treasuries of the temple of the Lord and of the royal palace, and sent them to Hazael, king of Aram. Hazael then withdrew from Jerusalem. Hazael’s officials Jozabad and Jehozabad conspired against him and assassinated him at Beth Millo on the road to Silla. He died and was buried with his fathers in the city of David. And Amaziah, his son succeeded him as king.
THOUGHTS:
When Jehoiada the priest died, the king began to backslide and went into idolatry. God sent prophets to warn the king but he would not listen. One of the prophets was Zechariah, the son of high priest Jehoiada whom Joash commanded to stone him to death in the temple court. Joash was unable to cope with the Syrian invasion, so he tried to bribe Hazael by giving him the wealth of God’s house. Later, Joash was murdered by some of his own officials to avenge for the death of Jehoiada’s innocent son.
The Levites were supposed to be responsible and concerned about the damaged temple of God. But they did not have the commitment or energy to finish the work. Instead, the workmen were honest and they completed it. Sometimes, God’s work is better accomplished by devoted people. Don’t let your lack of training or position stop you from contributing to God’s kingdom. Everyone’s energy and contribution are needed to carry on God’s work.
Joash began to worship idols and killed prophet Zechariah. His life began to unravel and he was killed by his own officials.