Click to read 2 Kings 11
Synopsis
Athaliah, Queen Mother of Ahaziah, took the cruel path to destroy all of the royal family after Ahaziah was killed by Jehu. She did this to consolidate her own position. She even wanted to kill her own grandson, Joash but Ahaziah's sister, Jehosheba protected and kept him alive. Athaliah's attempted to kill all the sons of Ahaziah was futile because God had promised David that the Messiah will come from his descendants. Joash eventually was made king while Athaliah was killed.
Major Verses
V3 was the high priest. Perhaps she thought that - It is interesting to note that Jehosheba hid young Joash in a bedroom in the temple where her husband JehoidaAthaliah who was steep in idol worship would never bother the temple or perhaps she thought that God's presence would keep Joash protected. Whatever the reason Jehosheba had, Joash was protected because God was protecting him - this was to keep the promise God made to David that the Messiah would be born through his descendants and Joash was in that line.
What I learn
When we are in trouble, we can go to God to seek refuge. He will protect us as He had promised us so (Jer 29:11).
V12 - 16 - After Athaliah reigned over Judah for six years, Joash was crowned King. He was merely seven years old, and had hid in the temple for six years. Jehoida ordered the execution of Athaliah but instructed that the execution must not take place in the temple. So Athaliah was killed on the palace ground.
What I learn
Jehoida recognized that the temple was the sacred dwelling of the Lord and thus did not allow the killing (and judgment ?) to take place within it. Because of the grace of God and Christ's sacrificial death for our salvation, the church is not to be a place of judgment and "execution" of sinners. Rather, the church is to be a place where sinners are welcomed and told the good news of Jesus' salvation offer so that they have a chance to repent and be saved.
V17 - 18 - The covenant that Jehoida made was a re-affirmation of the same covenant set up in Moses' time and recorded in the book of Deuteronomy. It was meant as a guide for the righteous rule of Israel. However, the nation had ignored it for over 100 years till Joash became king. The people immediately acted upon the covenant and destroyed all the idols of at the Baal temple. Unfortunately, years after Jehoida's death, the nation once again returned to their sinful ways (2 Kings 16).
What I learn
We must constantly re-affirm our obedience to God's word and instruction for our life.
Summary
While Athaliah wanted to destroy the seed of Ahaziah but the Lord prevented it to keep His promise to David. She met her end eventually for her sins. With Jehoida re-directing the nation's attention back to the covenant with God, Joash and a number of kings later brought Judah back on track with their relationship with God.
Coming next .... Joash repairs the temple, coming next on 9th Jun.
Synopsis
Athaliah, Queen Mother of Ahaziah, took the cruel path to destroy all of the royal family after Ahaziah was killed by Jehu. She did this to consolidate her own position. She even wanted to kill her own grandson, Joash but Ahaziah's sister, Jehosheba protected and kept him alive. Athaliah's attempted to kill all the sons of Ahaziah was futile because God had promised David that the Messiah will come from his descendants. Joash eventually was made king while Athaliah was killed.
Major Verses
V3 was the high priest. Perhaps she thought that - It is interesting to note that Jehosheba hid young Joash in a bedroom in the temple where her husband JehoidaAthaliah who was steep in idol worship would never bother the temple or perhaps she thought that God's presence would keep Joash protected. Whatever the reason Jehosheba had, Joash was protected because God was protecting him - this was to keep the promise God made to David that the Messiah would be born through his descendants and Joash was in that line.
What I learn
When we are in trouble, we can go to God to seek refuge. He will protect us as He had promised us so (Jer 29:11).
V12 - 16 - After Athaliah reigned over Judah for six years, Joash was crowned King. He was merely seven years old, and had hid in the temple for six years. Jehoida ordered the execution of Athaliah but instructed that the execution must not take place in the temple. So Athaliah was killed on the palace ground.
What I learn
Jehoida recognized that the temple was the sacred dwelling of the Lord and thus did not allow the killing (and judgment ?) to take place within it. Because of the grace of God and Christ's sacrificial death for our salvation, the church is not to be a place of judgment and "execution" of sinners. Rather, the church is to be a place where sinners are welcomed and told the good news of Jesus' salvation offer so that they have a chance to repent and be saved.
V17 - 18 - The covenant that Jehoida made was a re-affirmation of the same covenant set up in Moses' time and recorded in the book of Deuteronomy. It was meant as a guide for the righteous rule of Israel. However, the nation had ignored it for over 100 years till Joash became king. The people immediately acted upon the covenant and destroyed all the idols of at the Baal temple. Unfortunately, years after Jehoida's death, the nation once again returned to their sinful ways (2 Kings 16).
What I learn
We must constantly re-affirm our obedience to God's word and instruction for our life.
Summary
While Athaliah wanted to destroy the seed of Ahaziah but the Lord prevented it to keep His promise to David. She met her end eventually for her sins. With Jehoida re-directing the nation's attention back to the covenant with God, Joash and a number of kings later brought Judah back on track with their relationship with God.
Coming next .... Joash repairs the temple, coming next on 9th Jun.
No comments:
Post a Comment