Today's Reading:

2 Kings 12
2 Kings 13
2 Chronicles 24

During King Joash’s reign, the Temple in Jerusalem, which had been damaged and neglected under Queen Athaliah’s influence of Baal worship, needed repairs. The funds for this restoration came from three sources: money collected from the census, personal vows, and voluntary offerings from the people.

This passage also gives us the first clear mention of a true offering box in the Bible. King Joash instructed that a chest be placed at the entrance of the Temple so the people could bring their gifts. Importantly, this money was used strictly for the repairs of the house of the Lord. It was not for personal items, salaries, or luxuries. It was a sacred, transparent campaign to restore God’s house.

Just like today’s church building campaigns, whether for a new roof, renovations, or expanding. This was a united effort where God’s people were invited to give toward something bigger than themselves. Where is your heart for our current campaign? Have you contributed the full amount you pledged? Is the Lord moving your heart to do even more? And ultimately, where is your heart for worship? May our giving reflect our deep love for the Lord and His house, just as it did in the days of King Joash.

The Book of Kings covers the rulers of the divided kingdom of Israel and Judah, and they can be very hard to follow. I do hope that I get these correct for you and in a way that is understandable, while in an order that can be followed!

Joash the King of Judah #8 (south)- Joash, who was the son of Ahaziah and reigned for 40 years. He was led by his uncle Jehoiada, the High Priest, who had helped keep him hidden and safe in the Temple for 6 years. Joash rebuilt the Temple and collected money for repairs from the offerings after his grandmother, Queen Athaliah, ruined it with her Baal worshipping. By his 23rd year of reign, there were still no repairs made. The priest agreed to not take any more of the funds, but they would also not pay for the repairs to be done. Joash and Jehoiada set up an offering box. The people loved it, as their place of worship was being renewed in faith. The priests gave the money to the men working on the Temple, with no corruption and honest pay.

Jehoiada the High Priest- Jehoiada lived 130 years. Like the patriarch Methuselah, who lived 969 years, they both were blessed with a long life of faithfulness. Joash had done well under his guidance and repairing the temple. After the death of the priest, Joash went downhill. Hazael, the king of Aram came for Judah. Joash paid him off to avoid an invasion by giving him all of the collected treasury items and gold. Jehoiada the High Priest had a son, Zechariah (NOT the same as the book of the prophet Zechariah).

Zechariah, son of the High Priest- He was the son of Jehoiada and called out Joash for abandoning the Temple for the Asherah poles and idols. Joash had ignored the prophets and, in response, had Zechariah stoned to death. In his dying words, Zechariah gave the chilling words, “May the Lord see and avenge!” Here, Joash’s uncle Jehoiada had saved the dynasty, raised Joash from a baby, and helped fix the Temple. Then, as a reward, Jehoiada’s son, Zechariah, was murdered by the baby he had raised and protected. This was a tragic case of, “no good deed goes unpunished”. Joash and Zechariah probably grew up together in the temple like cousins, yet he killed him. 2 Chronicles 24 had filled in the details of the relationship.

God sent judgment, and the Aram army invaded and Joash was wounded. His own servants and officials rebelled against him and assassinated him in bed and then buried him without honor, not in the King’s tomb.

The book of 2 Chronicles related the Spiritual collapse of the kingdom, while 2 Kings 13 shared the Northern Kingdom’s story of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, being evil and oppressed by Aram. The Joash there was a different person than the King Joash of Judah.

Jehoahaz King of Israel #11 (north)- The son of Jehu reigned for 17 years. He was evil and continued the idolatry of Jeroboam I. There was severe oppression from King Hazael of Aram during his reign.

Jehoash (Joash) King of Israel #12 (north)- This Joash (also called Jehoash), king of Israel, was not the same as baby Joash who grew up to be the king of Judah. This Joash was the son of Jehoahaz and reigned over the Northern Kingdom for 16 years. He was also evil and continued the idolatry of worshipping the golden calf. When Elisha was on his deathbed, King Joash came to visit him. Elisha told him to take a bow and arrows. Elisha put his hands on the king’s hands as Joash shot an arrow out the east window. This was a symbolic act to show the Lord’s blessing, and Israel would defeat Aram. Then Elisha told Joash to strike the ground with the remaining arrows. Joash only struck the ground three times. In doing so, it was a half-hearted response, so Elisha said he would defeat Aram only three times, and he should have struck with more arrows.

A little blurb at the end of 2 Kings 13 talked about the legacy of Elisha. He was so full of God’s power that even his dead bones brought a man back to life! He continued his ministry even in his tomb. When the dead man’s body was quickly thrown into the tomb, he instantly came back alive and stood up just from touching Elisha’s bones. Even in the grave, Elisha was still raising the dead.

Today's Discussion question:

Just like today’s church building campaigns, whether for a new roof, renovations, or expanding. This was a united effort where God’s people were invited to give toward something bigger than themselves. Where is your heart for our current campaign? Have you contributed the full amount you pledged? Is the Lord moving your heart to do even more? And ultimately, where is your heart for worship? May our giving reflect our deep love for the Lord and His house, just as it did in the days of King Joash.

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