“Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him.”
If you have ever seen any of “The Godfather” movies then you know that loyalty to the family is a key thing to stay alive. If anyone did anything against the family, Marlin Brando, playing the godfather, would famously say, “I’m going to give them an offer they can’t refuse.” The next thing you know, the family is cleaning house and I don’t mean dusting. For a time after the cleaning, all is good until the cycle repeats itself.
Israel, up to this point, has not had an easy time of things. Ever since David reigned as king, turmoil and strife has plagued Israel. Joash was only a baby, and the rightful heir of the throne of Jerusalem when he was taken into a secret place for seven years and hidden from one of Israel’s rotten mothers, Athaliah. She was out to kill everyone of the royal family in line for the throne. This was because of Jehu, the John Wick of the old testament (2 Kings chapter 9-10), cleaned house over the past twenty years.
Now, Ahaziah was the father of Joash. Upon his death of a battle wound, his mother, Athaliah, proceeded to kill the entire royal family. Two strong women of the bible no one hears about, Jehosheba and the king’s sister stole the baby Joash, the kings son, and hid him inside the temple to save him from being killed by his crazy grandmother. Jehoiada, the priest, kept the young king Joash until he was seven years old at which point he was anointed king and the rotten Athaliah was killed by the temple guards.
Becoming king at seven must have presented many problems for a young boy but Jehoiada was there to instruct him and it served him well. This is because the Bible records Joash as a king who did what was right in eyes of the Lord (vs. 2). Funny thing is that Joash must of held Jehoiada in high regard in order to listen to him and be instructed by him even though he was only a priest and Joash was the king. In other words, Joash humbled himself before the Lord and as long he did that, he made Godly choices.
Who is instructing you today? If you look back at your recent decisions can they be labeled as Godly or not? I am sure Joash and Jehoiada had some disagreements, but as long as Joash humbled himself to Godly leadership he did the right thing. Godly leadership in our lives may be our parents, teachers, friends, or even grandparents and we should humble ourselves and listen to them. Israel continually made bad choices because people in power positions listened to the wrong crowd.
Today, simply pray for God to show you Godly people who you can get Godly advise from and make a choice to listen. You may have to humble yourself because what this world deems as a power position, God has the ultimate trump card. Just ask a shepherd boy who killed a giant.
Prayer: Father, help us all to listen to Godly wisdom. I pray that we humble ourselves before your mighty hand in all of our ways. I pray that we would seek and find Godly men and women who will guide us into the path of the wise and most of all, expose the evil things lurking in the path we are taking. I pray for discernment and spiritual eyes to see and ears to hear what you are saying Lord. Just as Joash was instructed by Jehoiada the priest, I pray the we would find our Jehoiada and humble ourselves under their wise counsel. In Jesus name, amen.
Let It Go 
Leave a comment