Rise and fall of Joash

2 Chronicles Chapter 24

Joash served as king for forty years. He did what was pleasing in the Lord's sight throughout the lifetime of Jehoiada the priest. Later, he repaired and restored the Temple. Which he was able to do because he required the towns of Judah to give annual offerings. This was similar to the tax levied by Moses to maintain the Tabernacle of the Covenant.

A chest was built outside the gate of the Temple for people to put their offerings and this pleased the leaders and people. When the chest became full, the priests counted the money and the king and Jehoiada gave the money to the construction supervisors to pay workers to restore the Temple.

Jehoiada lived to be 130 years old, but after his death, Judah's leaders convinced Joash to take their advice. They abandoned the Temple and worshipped Asherah poles and idols. Then the anger of God burned against Judah and Jerusalem. The Spirit of God came upon Zechariah, son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and told them that because they disobeyed the Lord's commands, they would not prosper. Then leaders plotted to kill Zechariah and King Joash ordered him stoned to death.

After that, the Aramean army marched against Joash, invaded Judah and Jerusalem and killed all the leaders. Joash was severely wounded, but his own officials decided to kill him for murdering the son of Jehoiada the priest. He was not buried in the royal cemetery.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: God sent Zachariah to call the people to repent. God was giving them one more chance. The same way he does not abandon us or lash out in revenge when we sin. He pursues us with his Word, his Spririt in us, the words of others and sometimes by discipline. He does not intend to destroy, but urges us to return to him.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? We might wonder if everything prospered in Judah, why did the people turn away from God? Prosperity can be both a blessing and a curse. With it comes potential moral and spiritual decline. Prosperous people are tempted to become self-sufficient and proud and often take God for granted. Can't you see this happening every day on television when the rich and famous become decadent, self absorbed and suicidal? Do not take God for granted! We must remember that God is the SOURCE of all our blessings!

Yours in Christ,
Mary

Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
Update on my niece Suzanne, she is healing but her leg was crushed and will take many months of doctoring. She is in a nursing home for rehab care. Pray for her healing. Also Gabe, Wanda, Pray for Janice Long’s parents, especially her mother whose cancer has returned and her father with Alzheimer’s and now her mother in law also with Alzheimer’s. Their family is feeling the strain both emotionally and financially. Pray for them. And pray for Arlene’s nephew David and for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer. Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS. Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. She will require long therapy and insurance may soon be a problem since her job was not held for her.
Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues..
Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
Pray for John recovery from a heart attack and pray he can stop smoking.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.