February 22: 2 Chronicles 23:16-24:16

Godly Leadership Is Powerful and Effective

Two things strike me immediately. Joash was seven when he became king. He was very young. Who can imagine the challenge a seven-year-old would have leading a nation? The second thing that strikes me is that he had a very long rule, forty years. Jehoida the priest took little Joash under his wing and helped him move into this role of leader. He became a trusted confidant of the king. Jehoida even chose his wives for him. We note that Joash did what was right in the sight of the LORD, but we also note the qualifier.

“And Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.” (2 Chronicles 24:2, ESV)

We will later learn that when Jehoida dies, Joash goes off the rails and turns completely against the family of Jehoida. Yet, while Jehoida lives and serves him, Joash rules wisely and even godly. He sets his heart on restoring the Temple and its worship. (24:4)

The first thing he did was secure the commitment of the people by making a covenant that they should be the LORD’s people (23:18). They go about destroying the house of Baal, breaking the altars and images, and putting Mattan the priest of Baal to death.

He then reinstituted the service of the Levites “to offer the burnt offerings of the LORD.” There was rejoicing and singing (23:18). He enabled following of the law concerning uncleanness. Peace and rest finally reigned.

“So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet after Athaliah had been put to death with the sword.” (2 Chronicles 23:21, ESV)

He sent the priests and Levites through the kingdom to collect money for the repair of the house of God annually. He instructed them to move quickly on this, but for some reason, they failed to act quickly. When he discovered this, he summoned Jehoida and challenged him to follow through with the project.

The text informs us that the people responded joy and generosity. They gladly supported the project to restore the house of the LORD (24:10-11). The sons of Athaliah had broken into the house of God and desecrated the holy things in the worship of Baal (24:7). The king also made sure that the workers who repaired the house of the LORD were compensated fairly and that skilled workers were secured (24:12-13). The money that remained was used to make the various utensils and items for use in worship (24:14). The faithful, consistent offering of sacrifices continued throughout the life of Jehoida (24:14). [Concerning the zeal of Joash to repair the Temple, read 2 Kings 12:2-13].

We come to the end of Jehoida’s life and ministry (24:15-16). He was the ripe old age of 130 years old when he died. He was honored for his long and faithful service to Israel and to God and His house by being buried in Jerusalem among the kings (24:16). What a wonderful example of living well and finishing well.

The godly leadership of Jehoida made a huge impact on Joash and his leadership. Who have you taken under your wing to support, encourage, and train? If you haven’t started, will you be willing to do so?