THE SPEED OF KING JOASH’S SPIRITUAL DECLINE AND GOD’S JUDGEMENT (2 CHRONICLES 24:22-26)

Dear Members in Christ,

The speed of King Joash’s spiritual decline and God’s judgement (2 Chronicles 24:22-26)

Have you ever noticed how quickly possessions or the condition of one’s life can deteriorate once it is neglected. Think about your house, how quickly the cleanliness and orderliness can very quickly backslide into untidiness and chaos if you neglect housekeeping for a week or two. Your car for example, especially if it’s an old car – start skipping a few routine services and maintenance periods and you will soon hear creaking and clunking noises.    

Well, we must also know that spiritual matters require our constant attention. When the nation of Israel was corrupted by Queen Athaliah’s introduction of gross idolatry, God raised a good king, by the name of Joash to turn the nation towards worshiping the true and living God.

They were ably led, by King Joash and Jehoiada the priest who set about reforming the spiritual condition of the nation. They repaired the house of God and re-instituted worship.

“So the workmen wrought, and the work was perfected by them, and they set the house of God in his state, and strengthened it. And when they had finished it, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, whereof were made vessels for the house of the LORD, even vessels to minister, and to offer withal, and spoons, and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the LORD continually all the days of Jehoiada.”  2 Chronicles 24:13, 14

Unfortunately, Joash was a King who only behaved and conducted himself uprightly when his mentor, Jehoiada was alive. In 2 Kings 12:2, we read that Joash only did good in the days wherein Jehoiada instructed him. In today’s article, we will learn from the Scriptures how constant vigilance and paying close attention to our spiritual walk with God is of great importance.

A. The quick departure into apostasy once the school master is absent

After the death of Jehoiada, the princes of Judah and Joash worshipped idols. This was no fault of Jehoiada the priest. The Scriptures vindicate Jehoiada’s life and work. The Bible says, “And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his house.” 2 Chronicles 24:16. Very sadly, once Jehoiada the mentor was dead, Joash was very quickly influenced by his courtiers.

“Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them. And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass.” 2 Chronicles 24:17,18.

This was a truly sad turn of events. This was contrary to the very thing which he had set his mind to do – to restore the spiritual life of Israel, and to rebuild the worship of God in the nation. How strange a twist in the life of a king who was a reformer. To borrow a phrase from media, Joash went “from hero to zero”. Why is this so? The turn of events occurred immediately after Jehoiada died.  Once his mentor and school master was absent, Joash quickly succumbed to ungodly advice. Dearly beloved, there is a lesson for us Christians in this modern era. God has given us a biblical institution, namely the local church, to mutually edify one another, to minister to believers the Word of God and to help each other when one falls.

B. A sure sign of spiritual decline – ignoring God’s Word and God’s servants

The Almighty is gracious and merciful always. Despite this, God continues to reach out to this king who had strayed from His ways. We read of how God continued to minister His Word through the prophets. One of these prophets happens to be Jehoiada’s son Zechariah.

“Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear. And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you.” 2 Chronicles 24:19, 20

There is no doubt that God’s message for His people is to once again return to Him. This is the reminder, “because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you.” King Joash had very unadvisedly taken a path of disobedience and rebellion. He had even overturned the goal for which he was made king – i.e. to reform the nation.

Brothers and sisters, we must learn this lesson, that we serve only for God’s sake and not for man’s sake. Joash turned away once Jehoiada his mentor died. It is unwise to overly admire a leader or any person to the extent that we forget that it is God whom we seek to please. What can happen is, if such a person we look up to is absent, we may find no reason to maintain our spiritual discipline. But we must always look to God and His precious Word as our mentor.

Secondly, God has given us the local church where we can seek encouragement and strengthening in our spiritual life. In the local church you will find elders, deacons and mature Christians, who are willing to pray, and help in your spiritual struggles. So, we are never dependant solely upon one single leader or personality in church. We as Christians can help to strengthen and edify one another in the faith. May God bless and keep us.

In His Service,
Rev. Lim Seh Beng, Pastor