In Whom do you Believe?

My personal Bible study the past few weeks has taken me through the Old Testament (The Tanakh) books of 1^st and 2^nd Kings and 1^st and 2^nd Chronicles. Maybe this is why I've been a little 'down' lately. These books unabashedly lay out what each of the Kings of Judah and Israel do. They start with David and march right through to Zedakiah. They can be looked at as a testament of the adage "Power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely". Some would say 'no wonder God allowed Judah and Israel to be destroyed; they were wicked!'. And I would answer, Yes and No.


But that's not why I'm here today; I want to look at one particular king that caught my eye, because his story is one I am afraid is being played out all over our nation in homes and in places of influence. Let's look at Joash, son of Ahazia, son of Jehoram, son of Jehosaphat, son of Asa, son of Abija, son of Rehoboam King of Juda, son of Solomon, son of David King of Israel. In order to really understand his story we need to begin with Joashs' great-grandfather Jehosaphat.
Now bear with me, I will not be repeating all of the information you can read from the books of Kings and Chronicles yourself; I will be giving just a short synopsis of the important stuff. Jehosaphat was the 4^th King of Judah (Tribes of Judah and Benjamin), he was a good king in that he walked in the ways of David and followed the ways of the Lord. He prospered and was King for 35 years. Toward the end of his reign he made a pact with Ahab, the King of Israel which angered the Lord, but for the most part he was a very good King. Jehosaphat had 7 sons, gave them money and cities and land, and they were prosperous also. (1 Kings 22:44-50, 2 Chronicles ch 17 – 20) Jehosaphat died and was buried in the City of David with the other Kings of Judah, and his oldest son Jehoram was made King of Judah.
Jehoram was not a good King, the first thing he did was put all 6 of his siblings and some of the Nasi (princes) of Judah to the sword, killed them to firmly establish his Kingship. He also followed the religious practices of the Kings of Israel, like his father-in-law Ahab, which was 'detestable in the sight of the Lord'. Jehoram was 32 years old when he became King, and reigned 8 years. (2Kings 8:16-24, 2 Chron 22:1-9) Jehoram died a lingering death of disease and was buried in Jerusalem, but not with the other Kings. Ahazia, Jehorams youngest son (you will have to read your Bible to find out why) was made King of Judah
Ahazia followed in his father Jehorams footsteps, and was influenced by his mother Athaliah, daughter of Ahab, King of Israel. Ahazia was 22 years old when he became King of Judah, and reigned 1 year. He joined Joram, King of Israel in battle against the Arameans and was killed. (see 2 Kings 8:25-29, 9:14-29, 2 Chron 22:1-9) So, Ahazias mother, Athaliah takes matters in her own hand when she hears that Ahazia is dead, and she proceeds to destroy the entire Royal family of the house of Judah! But, she reckoned without God, for He always provides a way for His plans to go forward. (Isaiah 55:11) Her sister-in-law secrets 1 year old Joash away, eventually hiding him in the Temple with her husband Jehoiadah, the Kohen HaGedolah (High priest), and they keep him safe there for 6 years, during which Athaliah ruled the land (2 Chron 22:10-12).
Here we go with the King of Judah I wanted to bring to you. At the age of 7 years old, Joash was crowned King of Judah in front of the Temple as was the custom. Athaliah didn't like it, but that didn't last long either. Joash reigned Judah for 40 years (2 Kings 11 - 12, 2 Chron. 23 - 24), and during his rule he restored the Temple and followed in the ways of David, as long as Jehoiadah was alive.
Jehoiada died at the age of 130 years of age (2 Chron. 24:15-16), after which Joash abandoned God and worshiped Asherah Poles and idols (2 Chron 24:18). He even killed a prophet of God in the courtyard of the Temple, who was sent to him to warn him that God was angry with him (2 Chron 24:20-24). Joash reigned one more year, was killed, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.


We see this all too often, even now; a strong religious leader brings many to belief in God. When they leave, stumble, or die; any number of their flock stumble or 'fall away'. Why? In whom do they have their faith? I have seen too many entire churches ripped apart, essentially destroyed because the pastor who founded and built the church stumbled in his walk with God. Why? Is it because the members of the church had their faith in the pastor, or in Jesus?
Joash was raised (literally) in the Temple by the Kohen (priests), yet when his mentor died he was like a ship without a rudder, blown by this advisor, or that advisor. He totally abandoned his faith, and began worshiping the detestable objects and idols which angered God. This reaction is seen in this day and age also; a 180 degree turn in belief.
Chaverim, know in whom you believe!

¹⁴ "Now fear the LORD and serve him with all faithfulness. Throw away the gods your forefathers worshiped beyond the River and in Egypt, and serve the LORD. ¹⁵ But if serving the LORD seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your forefathers served beyond the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:14-15 NIV)

And as Paul instructed the Ephesians:

¹⁰Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. ¹¹Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. ¹²For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. ¹³Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Ephesians 6:10-12 NIV)

Barukh HaShem