2 Kings Chapter 12
As we read the following verses, we may get a little confused.
2 Jehoash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him. 3 But the high places were not taken away; the people still sacrificed and burned incense on the high places.
18 And Jehoash king of Judah took all the sacred things that his fathers, Jehoshaphat and Jehoram and Ahaziah, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own sacred things, and all the gold found in the treasuries of the house of the Lord and in the king’s house, and sent them to Hazael king of Syria. Then he went away from Jerusalem.
20 And his servants arose and formed a conspiracy, and killed Joash in the house of the Millo, which goes down to Silla.
Wasn’t Jehoash (also known as Joash) a good king?
Wasn’t he faithful in doing what is right in the eyes of the Lord?
Why did he have to appease Hazael by offering up treasures? Why did the Lord not deliver him?
Why was he murdered?
Reading this chapter alone do not give us the answer, though verse 2 did give us a hint. We need to read also 2 Chron 24 as well to get the complete picture.
Jehoash (Joash) only did what is right as he received good advice and instruction from Jehoiada. The moment Jehoiada died (2 Chron 24:17 – 19), his faith swayed and he “entered the dark side”. This is of great pity, for all the good that he did became undone because he did not persevere to the end.
Hence no wonder, he ended up with a sad end. The dangers of an immature faith was a constant worry and fear of Paul as well.
Eph 4:13-14 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting,
Gal 4:17-19 17 They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them. 18 But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you. 19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,
There are several issues for us to ponder as well.
Was what Joash did because as a young child, he looked up to Jehoiada as a father figure? Did he only do what he is told because of his fear and respect for the elderly man who looked out for him.
Does Joash have a personal relationship with God, or is his faith built on another persons’ faith. Is his faith built on the words of God or rather on the words of Jehoiada.
Thus when Joash “did what is right”, was it simply an outward display but not with his heart, soul and mind. Wouldn’t this be similar to a Christian who only “do the right things” of service attendance, helping out in various church work, etc., out of duty and habit only.
We simply tow the line because we are doing what we are told. Our mind, thought and heart is still very much inclined to the things of the world.
Did Jehoiada fail because he did not properly ground Joash with regards to his faith toward God? Was he the only person who provided advice and guidance to Joash.
Are there no others who can have positive influence? Paul instructed Timothy in 2 Tim 2:2
2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
Let us put these thoughts in our heart and mind and examine our relationship with God (we as well as our loved ones)