Today’s Reading: 2 Chronicles 22-23, 2 Kings 11

After King Ahaziah of Judah was killed by Jehu, his mother decided it was her turn to take the throne. But in order for her to successfully step into leadership, she had to kill those who were rightful heirs of the crown.

When Athaliah, the mother of King Ahaziah of Judah, learned that her son was dead, she began to destroy the rest of Judah’s royal family. But Ahaziah’s sister Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram, took Ahaziah’s infant son, Joash, and stole him away from among the rest of the king’s children, who were about to be killed. She put Joash and his nurse in a bedroom. In this way, Jehosheba, wife of Jehoiada the priest and sister of Ahaziah, hid the child so that Athaliah could not murder him. Joash remained hidden in the Temple of God for six years while Athaliah ruled over the land. – 2 Chronicles 22:10-12

JEHOSHEBA FOUND COURAGE TO PROTECT THE CHILD.

After seven years of this self-proclaimed authority, the priest Jehoiada decided to take action against Athaliah. He summoned all of his courage and gathered together five of the commanders over Judah’s army. They secretly traveled throughout Judah building support from the people to move Joash to his rightful place as king. He assigned the Levites to various roles, choosing a group of them to surround the young king.

You Levites, form a bodyguard around the king and keep your weapons in hand. Kill anyone who tries to enter the Temple. Stay with the king wherever he goes.” – 2 Chronicles 23:7

What a sight it must have been as the Levites arrived and took their place in the Temple of God. The army commanders stood with spears and shields, ready to protect the young king. The Levites formed a line from the south side of the Temple around to the north side and all around the altar (23:10b). Then Jehoiada brought out the king’s son and placed a crown on his head, anointing him as king. And the people celebrated shouting, “Long live the king!” When Athaliah arrived, she was seized and led away from the Temple to be put to death.

JEHOIADA FOUND COURAGE TO PROTECT THE CHILD.

Then Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and the king and the people that they would be the Lord’s people. And all the people went over to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They demolished the altars and smashed the idols, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.

Jehoiada now put the priests and Levites in charge of the Temple of the Lord, following all the directions given by David. He also commanded them to present burnt offerings to the Lord, as prescribed by the Law of Moses, and to sing and rejoice as David had instructed. He also stationed gatekeepers at the gates of the Lord’s Temple to keep out those who for any reason were ceremonially unclean.

Then the commanders, nobles, rulers, and all the people of the land escorted the king from the Temple of the Lord. They went through the upper gate and into the palace, and they seated the king on the royal throne. So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was peaceful because Athaliah had been killed. – 2 Chronicles 23:16-21

THEIR COURAGE PROVIDE PROTECTION AND IGNITED A REVIVAL ACROSS THE WHOLE NATION.

The courage of both Jehosheba and Jehoiada made a difference for everyone, rewriting the history of Judah. Joash was given the chance to live because Jehosheba was willing to put her own life at risk in order to save his. Joash was given the opportunity to lead because Jehoiada was willing to stand up and encourage others to join him for the sake of driving change. An entire nation experienced revival because so many leaders joined Jehoiada in his crusade to bring back the worship of God to the Temple of God.

God, we ask for you to give us the courage to do whatever you have called us to do. Give us wisdom to know what wrongs need righted, and give us the favor to build teams for the sake of bringing others back to you. May you be glorified through our efforts to proclaim your truth, and may our hearts consistently reflect both your mercy and your grace. Amen.