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Day 173, Chronological Bible Study Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 2Kings 11:1-3; 2Chronicles 22:10-12; 2Kings 11:4-21; 2Chronicles 23; 2Kings 12:1-16; 2Chronicles 24:1-16; 2Kings 10:28-36; 2Kings 13:1-3; 2Kings 13:22-23; 2Kings 13:4-11; 2Chronicles 24:17-27; 2Kings 12:17-21
Making our Commitments Stick
When we glue things together, there are directions given (if we choose to read them) for preparing the surfaces before we adhere anything to them. The surfaces must be clean and sometimes roughed up so they will stick. A similar kind of preparation is also needed in our spiritual life so our commitments will stick.
In today's Bible reading, the nation of Judah is in need of spiritual repair and reconstruction. Athaliah makes herself queen mother after the death of her son, King Ahaziah. She is a wicked woman, a daughter of the Israelite king, Ahab. She is a Baal worshipper (Baal is a false Canaanite god). When she seizes power, she kills all of Ahaziah’s children to remove any possible competition to her throne.
In the mercy and grace of God, Jehoiada the priest, and his wife Jehosheba (a sister to Ahaziah) act with quick foresight. They hide Joash, King Ahaziah’s baby boy, in the temple and protect him from being murdered. In a future day, perhaps he can help them get rid of this wicked woman.
Seven years later, the time is right. Jehoiada makes a binding agreement with the palace guards, and under heavy guard the young boy is presented as king. The wicked queen, Athaliah, sees it and cries, “Treason! Treason!” She is killed at the horse gate on the palace grounds.
Jehoiada then made a covenant between the LORD and the king and people that they would be the LORD's people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people (2Kings 11:17, NIV).Spiritual repair and reconstruction starts with a commitment to the LORD, which leads to actions of genuine repentance. One of the first things we do to show a change of heart is to get rid of our idols (anything that is more important than God), and then set things right. This is equivalent to roughing up and cleaning the surface before applying the glue.
All the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols to pieces and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.
Then Jehoiada the priest posted guards at the temple of the LORD. He took with him the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, the guards and all the people of the land, and together they brought the king down from the temple of the LORD and went into the palace, entering by way of the gate of the guards.
The king then took his place on the royal throne, and all the people of the land rejoiced. And the city was quiet, because Athaliah had been slain with the sword at the palace. Joash was seven years old when he began to reign” (2Kings 11:18- 21, NIV).
Under the careful mentoring and tutelage of Jehoiada the priest, young Joash leads the nation of Judah to seek the LORD and give him honor. A notable accomplishment in his life is the repair and reconstruction of Solomon’s temple and the restoration of worship.
We can learn from Joash's example that it is not enough to just tear down our idols; we must replace idol worship with true worship. What work of God has he called us to do? Are we doing it? This world is full of broken lives, and God calls us to the ministry of reconciliation (2Corinthians 5:18). The lives of individuals and even nations need repaired and reconstructed to please the LORD.
Unfortunately, the glue (spiritual commitment) does not stick for Joash. This can also be true for many people who start out well, have good teachers, and even live a life of service to the LORD. Why does this happen? Perhaps the surface of their own life has not been roughed up and there is not a strong bond to God (on our part; true believers are secure in their salvation). In the account of Joash we read that he lives a privileged life and, except for repairing the temple, Jehoiada always makes decisions for him. After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of King Joash influence him to relax his godly standard. Joash is easily influenced—he wants to be popular with the people.
Failure to repair and reconstruct Israel is also the mistake of King Jehu. In his righteous zeal he kills Jezebel, Ahab’s whole family and their associates, and even the priests and temple of Baal, but he does not replace wickedness with righteousness. Although he is a better leader than his predecessors, he continues to allow the worship of idols in the northern kingdom of Israel. God is not pleased with how he leads the nation. Unfortunately, his son Jehoahaz, follows in his footsteps and his kingdom is almost wiped out by the Arameans (Damascus).
What about us? When we repent, do we just get rid of the bad stuff in our lives? If we do not replace bad habits with good habits we will fall back in our commitment and others may follow our bad example. Are Bible reading, prayer, corporate worship, Christian service, integrity and good neighborly deeds part of our daily lives? A lifestyle of righteousness pleases the LORD.
Take-Away Lessons
- Spiritual repair and reconstruction starts with a commitment to the LORD, which leads to actions of genuine repentance. One of the first things we do to show our change of heart is to get rid of our idols (anything that is more important than God), and then set things right.
- It is not enough to just tear down our idols; we must replace idol worship with true worship. If we do not replace bad habits with good habits, we will fall back in our commitments.
- Our spiritual repairs and reconstructions will only last (or stick) if we have genuinely repented and have a true commitment to the LORD, and if we are careful to personally maintain the relationship (more...).
Focus Verse
Hebrews 13:7 (NIV) “Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way of life and imitate their faith.”
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Look Ahead: Once we make a commitment to the LORD we need to learn to Be a Servant. Let's follow Elisha's example in our Next Lesson.
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