Read 2 Chronicles 24:1-16
We read several times that these good years lasted while the priest, Jehoiada was alive to mentor King Joash. Accordingly, this reading recognizes King Joash as having pleased the LORD. The Chronicler wants to showcase Joash’s restoration plan for the Temple as one of the God-pleasing actions. Many generations had passed since the temple was built by Solomon, and not all of Judah’s kings had taken good care of God’s residence.
Joash was fortunate to have a spiritual leader in Jehoiada. Do you have a mentor like that who keeps you grounded and focused on your obedience to the LORD? We should all be so lucky.
The Chronicler does a good job of reinforcing how godly behavior leads to a successful kingdom. Does it work like that for us, too? Many believe our success in life depends solely on our own efforts. But Christ followers acknowledge that it is God who gives us the ability to make choices. Not all choices lead to success, as we quickly find out. Even as young children learning to walk, we soon learn what works and what doesn’t. It’s when we choose God that we win!
Kingdoms and lives can fall apart when we step away from God’s guiding hand. Even when our lives are messy and full of challenges, going through the fire alone without God seems like a bad idea to me. I would much rather face trials, assured that God is holding me up, giving me the strength I need. It’s easy for me to look back at my life and see when God’s hand was at work and when I was floundering on my own. Can you see those patterns in your life?
Joash’s plan to restore the temple required funding. Apparently the tax Moses had required for the upkeep of the tabernacle had not been collected. Joash’s brilliant idea to put a collection box outside the temple made it convenient for everyone, and people caught on quickly and gave their offerings willingly.
Imagining such a collection box makes me think of the story of the widow in Luke 21:1-4. “While Jesus was in the Temple, he watched the rich people dropping their gifts in the collection box. Then a poor widow came by and dropped in two small coins. “I tell you the truth,” Jesus said, “this poor widow has given more than all the rest of them. For they have given a tiny part of their surplus, but she, poor as she is, has given everything she has.”
Was Joash looking at the collection box in terms of obedience, the same way Jesus did in Luke’s gospel? Both stories show the importance of “intention.” Just as the people in Joash’s day had a reason to give, so did the widow with her two coins. Just as the people in Joash’s day “intended” to follow God, roadblocks and distractions will come. We face the same thing with good intentions about being faithful, but we often fall short.
We all long for the “good old days” when blessings will flow continuously. We wait for Jesus’ promised return. We dream of the day when we will see Jesus face to face. We have many reasons to want to stay true to the LORD, even if we don’t have a spiritual mentor calling the shots.
Our confusion can be reduced when we have a trusted friend or spiritual guide to help us understand God’s word and his will for our lives. Who is that person for you?
Let’s pray. LORD, I thank you for the many people you have brought into my life over the years to guide me along my faith journey. Likewise, I pray you are using me to be a guide to someone else. Equip me for the mission you have for me. I often feel weak and unsure. I am waiting to be empowered for service. Thank you for the honor of serving you. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
