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Faithful For A While -2Chron. 24
Faithful For A While -2Chron. 24
In the midst of the evil of Ahab, Jezebel, and Athaliah, Joash shines as a beacon of righteousness. If you haven’t done so, as you read 2 Chron. 23-24, make a list of the good reforms that Joash makes after the overpowering influence of Baal worship in the land! Impressive to say the least.
What Joash had going for him was good counsel and guidance! Jehoiada has raised him and instructed him in the ways of the LORD. Jehoiada has been his counsel as Joash reigned from a young age.
THEN, “After the death of Jehoiada, the princes of Judah influenced Joash to let them again openly serve their Asherim and idols. Both king and princes ignored the prophets of Yahweh (2 Chr. 24:17–19). When Zechariah the son of Jehoiada, Joash’s benefactor, spoke against their idolatry, prophesying God’s coming judgment, the king had him stoned in the court of the temple (vv. 20–22; cf. Luke 11:51).” (article on Joash in the Eerdmans Bible Dictionary, pg. 583).
Good beginnings are good beginnings. Remember the story of the tortoise and the hare (turtle and the rabbit). Such was the warning to be found in the parable of the sower where ‘some believed for a while, and in time of temptation fall away (Luke 8:13). Such was the church in Ephesus that made a good start but then left their first love (Rev. 2:4). Such has been the story of too many people.
It is he who overcomes that will eat of the tree of life (Rev. 2:7) and will not be hurt by the second death (Rev. 2:11). Hence the encouragement: “'Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to cast some of you into prison, so that you will be tested, and you will have tribulation for ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life” (Rev. 2:10).
The question is not how long have you been faithful, but will you be faithful until death? Well, will you?
Hugh DeLong
