May 20, 2024

Joash was a good king, while Jehoiada, the priest, advised him. Joash commanded the priests to collect money from the people to repair the temple. However, they failed to raise enough money, and the temple deteriorated. The people must not have trusted the priests to use the money wisely. So, Joash ordered them to put a collection box in the temple, which was a great idea because people like to be seen giving; we see it all the time on social media, where people record themselves giving money to the poor for their self-gratification and the praises of others. They collected enough to make the repairs, and Joash oversaw the construction. Jehoiada, the priest, was 130 years old when he died. Things got bad after that. Hazael, king of Syria, planned on overtaking Jerusalem, but instead of fighting and relying on God to save them, Joash gave the king all the gold and silver in the treasury, thus preventing war. The country's princes came to Joash and asked permission to serve groves and idols, and they left the boring worship at the temple for a more exciting religious type of worship. In a moment of passion brought on by the Holy Spirit, one of the sons of Jehoiada, Zechariah, condemned what Joash had allowed. It infuriated Joash, and he had him stoned. Joash's servants, who must have been loyal to Jehoiada, killed Joash for killing Jehoiada's son. 

We can see from this story how important it is to have godly counsel and friends who love the Lord. It only seemed that it took a moment for things to go awry when evil princes began counseling the king. Joash was a good king until Jehoiada died, and then he became susceptible to the wiles of evil. Never let your guard down; stay loyal to the Lord to stave off the forces of evil. Another point is that if your worship bores you, who are you worshiping? The religious practice? Or your itchy ears? Put God first and foremost, and it will never become boring. 

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. And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD. 2 Chronicles 24:20-21

And his servants arose, and made a conspiracy, and slew Joash in the house of Millo, which goeth down to Silla. 2 Kings 12:20