Read: 2 Kings 10:32-12:21; Acts 18:1-22; Psalm 145:1-21; Proverbs 18:1
In 2 Kings 1 we read the story of Ahazariah who fell through the lattice of his house. He didn’t have a son, so his brother, Jehoram reigned in his throne. Ahazariah’s mother was Athalia who proceeded to destroy all the royal family. Jehoram’s daughter, Jehosheba took the newborn of Ahazaiah and hid him away for six years. The baby, Joash, was raised by the priest in the temple. Meanwhile, Athaliah ruled the land of Judah.
In the seventh year of her reign, the priest Jehoiada had the priest surround Joash and place him in the temple where the king should sit and blew the trumpet and everyone proclaimed him king. Athaliah heard the shout and ran to see what was happening. Athaliah was chased out of the temple and killed. Joash reigned forty years under the tutorship of of Jehoiada, the priest. Joash had the temple repaired and required accountability among the priests. He was a good king.
He was murdered by three men of his kingdom and his son, Amaziah succeeded him.
In Acts, Paul is in Corinth. There he met Aquila and Priscilla who were a married couple that had been ordered to leave Rome because they were Jews. Since Aquila was a tent maker also, Paul stayed with him as he continued speaking in the synagogue about Jesus. When the Jews became abusive, Paul left and told them he was going to the Gentiles. Despite his opposition, many came to the Lord and believed his message. One of them was the ruler of the synagogue and his whole family. God encouraged Paul in a dream that he would take care of him and not to leave the city so Paul stayed for a year and a half. At one time he was brought before the proconsul and accused of teaching doctrine not taught in the law. The proconsul refused to hear the case and threw them out because he wasn’t going to listen to things concerning their law. The tables turned and the man accusing Paul was beaten by his own people.
Paul was able to stay in Corinth till God sent him, with Aquila and Priscilla, to Ephesus where he taught in the synagogue. The people were receptive so Paul left Aquila and Priscilla in Ephesus and went on to Caesarea and Antioch.
In both of these scriptures we see the importance of having a strong mentor to guide us. Joash had Jehoiada and all the new converts had Paul. If you don’t have a mentor in your life, pray and ask God to send you one. The Holy Spirit is the greatest guide we could have but sometimes we need some flesh and blood.
Lord, raise up mentors and strong leaders in our generation. May we be examples of your Word.
No comments:
Post a Comment