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Title: The Tragedy of Joash (Ps Mukumba)
2 Chronicles 24v1-26; Matt 13v1-9, 18-23
INTRODUCTION
Ø It is a well-known principle that what a person believes ultimately determines how a person behaves
Ø Eve believed the Devils lie that when she eat the forbidden fruit, she would not die but when she ate it, she eventually died
Ø When we believe the truth God works for us and when believe a lie it’s the opposite
Ø When our Lord Jesus Christ was tempted by Satan, He countered Satan’s lies with God’s truth and said, “It is written,”
Ø This story illustrate different kinds of faith none of which God wishes upon his people
Ø BODY:
Ø Joash was only seven years when he ascended the throne of Judah and he reigned for 40 years. The name Joash means fire of YAHWEH. We have got the fire of Yahweh in us we need to be careful how we deal with Him and His things.
Ø It is obvious a seven year can not rule a nation, so the high priest Jehoiada was his tutor and mentor. The name Jehoiada means Yahweh knows
Ø Joash seemed a good student during all the years when Jehoiada the high priest instructed him. He obeyed in his presence but when the high priest passed away he started living in his own terms
Ø When the King was ready marry Jehoiada helped and picked 2 wives for him to avoid the trouble that David and Solomon had put themselves into because of many wives
Ø It was important for Joash to rebuild the house of Judah and family of David which had almost been destroyed by Jehoram, Jehu, Arab invaders and Queen Athaliah
Ø The only thing Jehoiada and Joash did not do was to remove the high places in Judah and local shrines were people worship the Lord
Ø In our midst we have high places which we can only have indirect influence on in Canada. We can only bring them in the spirit to have a physical result in Jesus Christ. The Lord is on our side.
Ø People were supposed to go to the temple to worship but during the days of Athaliah’s reign , the temple had been ignored and even allowed to decay
Ø However Joash and Jehoiada lead people to repair the temple so that they had a fine place to worship the Lord
Ø There is a metaphor in this passage, though Jehoiada was instructed before to build the temple he did not do it earlier. This signified that God does not dwell in the house built by men’s hand but he dwells in the heart. Believers today know that God does not live in buildings (Jn 4:23-24; Acts 7:48-50; 17:24).
Ø This doesn’t mean it is wrong to dedicate structures to His services and glory
Ø The other reason Jehoiada might have been old and he could not do things fast. When ever God instructs us to do something, we should do it faster.
Ø People could have rejoiced in Judah that they found a great King who bringing them back to God. Little did they know that Joash faith was shallow
Ø Joash was an excellent follower but not a good leader. A good student but not a good learner
Ø When Jehoiada died Joash went his own way and disobeyed the Lord
Ø It was clear to the people of Judah that the godly Jehoiada was the power behind the Kings throne
Ø It was also clear that the change he made were only because of age, when he grew up he changed everything. He felt he was mature enough.
Ø We should be careful the way we become mature and claim our independence
Ø Let me use this example; when young people grow up they want the freedom to make their own decisions
Ø This desire might have intensified in Joash life because of the authority he held when he grew up. He started looking for some freedom
Ø 2 Sam 3v39: King David says “I am weak today, though anointed King”
Ø It’s not easy to mentor a young King and, know just when to loosen and lengthen the restraining cords
Ø Parents know that it is easy to mentor their children but when they grow up they claim there freedom irrespective of our pain
Ø Also as our children grow up, we have a tendency to want to give them freedom
Ø We give this freedom knowing the very capacity our children. Every person knows the weakness and strengths of their children. Even our Father knows us.
Ø Whatever the cause; the King decide to be set free from the Jewish priesthood and begin to assert his authority. He implicitly took authority from the old Jehoiada.
Ø Jehoiada died at the age of 130. He was so beloved by the people that he was buried with the Kings
Ø When Jehoiada passed away, King Joash showed his true colors and abandoned the faith
Ø The problem was Joash’s shallow faith. He had not grasped anything from what the high priest was doing. The bible says faith comes by hearing, by hearing the word of God. Joash also had the desire to please people and the leaders of the land
Ø Judah was easily turned back to idolatry
Ø Jehoiada and his wife had saved the King’s life. The high priest taught him the truth of God’s word and stood at Joash’s side as he learned to govern people.
Ø The King had never taken the truth to his heart and allowed it to take root.
Ø The soil of his heart was shallow, he obeyed only the Lord because his mentor was watching
Ø He even took wealth from the temple that he had repaired and paid ransom to a pagan King
Ø It isn't simply enough to know Gods truth, we must obey his truth from the heart (Eph 6:6)
Ø Truth in the heart can lead to obedience but truth in the heart and obedience in the heart can will produce godly character
Ø God’s word must be internalized (Psalms 119:9-11)
Ø Psalm 119:9-11 9 How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your word. 10 With my whole heart I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! 11 I have stored up your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.
Ø We have got various example of people that move from the presence and serving God when their mentors are not watching them or no longer with them; Widows/widowers/Sons and Daughters/Husband and wife/High profile Christian leaders/Preachers children
Ø A good beginning is no guarantee of a good ending
Ø King Joash had every good encouragement to end well but he didn’t. He did not take advantage of his opportunity
Ø This story is same with the parable of the sower.
Ø Matthew 13:2-9 2 Such large crowds gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat in it, while all the people stood on the shore. 3 Then he told them many things in parables, saying: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. 6 But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown. 9 Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
Ø Below is the explanation Jesus gave with regards to the parable: Matthew 13:18-23 18 “Listen then to what the parable of the sower means: 19 When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in their heart. This is the seed sown along the path. 20 The seed falling on rocky ground refers to someone who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since they have no root, they last only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, they quickly fall away. 22 The seed falling among the thorns refers to someone who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, making it unfruitful. 23 But the seed falling on good soil refers to someone who hears the word and understands it. This is the one who produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
Ø To make it worse when the Lord warned Joash of what he was doing, He plotted with his leaders to have Zechariah the son of Jehoiada stoned to death when he rebuked the King of his sin.
Ø This is terrible; Imagine murdering the son of the very people who saved you
Ø When King Joash became an idolater the Lord began to discipline him
Ø The people buried Joash in Jerusalem but not with Kings but Jehoiada was buried together with Kings though he was a high priest
Ø Whenever we start well, we should finish well
Ø Our Lord Jesus Christ also speaks about the parable of the prodigal
Ø He felt he had grown up enough and he demanded his wealth
Ø Glory be God that made the prodigal to return back
Ø What is very encouraging is that the father was really happy and also expecting him to come back home. Instead of asking questions and reasons of the rebellion, mistakes that he (son) had done, he welcomed him back with a party
Ø Paul says in 2 Timothy 4:7-8 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
Ø I can feel a party, the Lord is about to do. Don’t delay returning because a party is waiting for you, start returning now
Ø Return whilst the part is still waiting
Ø We started well; we should finish well
Ø In our Father house are many mansions: Jesus went to prepare for us John 14:2.
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