Fri.’s Devo - The Reign of Joash

Read: 2 Kings 10:32-12:21; Acts 18:1-22; Psalm 145:1-21; Proverbs 18:1 The people of Israel continued to worship other gods, so God began to shrink Israel’s territory. King Hazael of Aram took some of the territory east of the Jordan from the tribes of Gad, Reuben and Manasseh. *** After reigning 28 years, Jehu died and his son, Jehoahaz became king. Ahab’s daughter, Athaliah had married Jehoram the king of Judah. Two of Jehoram’s offsprings were Jehosheba and the Ahaziah. We read yesterday, that Jehu killed Ahaziah as he was escaping. When this happened, Athaliah, the queen mother began killing everyone in her family so she would have total control. Jehosheba took the infant of her brother, Ahaziah and hid the baby. They kept him hidden for six years in the Temple of the Lord. His name was Joash. He was raised by the priest Jehoiada. Meanwhile Ahaliah reigned and she was evil. *** When Joash turned seven, The priests planned a coup and surrounded the Temple with guards. They brought Joash out and placed the crown on his head and presented him a copy of the law. They anointed him and proclaimed him king. *** Athaliah heard all the shouting and came to see what was going on. She cried, “Treason!” They took her and killed her at the gate of the palace. *** Jehoiada then led the people to make a new covenant with the Lord. They tore down the temple of Baal and killed the priest of Baal in front of the altars. *** Heavily guarded, Joash was escorted from the Temple to the palace where he reigned for 40 years. He followed the Lord under the tutorship of Jehoiada. He wanted to restore the Temple of the Lord but the priests kept using the money for themselves. A plan was implemented to isolate money for the Temple and the Temple was restored. *** King Hazael of Aram began taking territory from Israel. When he came for Jerusalem, Joash collected all the sacred objects previous kings had dedicated the Lord along with the gold in the treasury of the Temple and the palace and gave it to Hazael and to save Jerusalem. *** Joash’s own trusted advisors plotted with his officers to assassinate Joash. His son, Amaziah became king. *** In Acts, Paul and Silas left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met the couple Aquila and Priscilla who had just arrived from Italy. They had been deported to Corinth. Since they were tentmakers, they worked with Paul. *** Every Sabbath Paul went to the synagogue to teach about Jesus. The Jews rejected his teaching so he gave them up and went to the Gentiles. *** Paul was given a vision to encourage him to not be afraid to speak out. He would be safe. He stayed there for a year and a half teaching the Word. *** Gallio became the new governor of the territory. Some of the Jews thought he might be on their side, so they brought Paul before him to be judged. They accused him of persuading people to worship God in ways that went against their laws. Gallio threw them out of his court and told them to settle this matter among themselves. The Jews took Sosthenes, the leader of the synagogue that allowed Paul to teach at and beat him right in front of Gallio. Gallio ignored them. *** Some time later, Paul left Corinth and took Aquila and Priscilla with him to Syria. He stopped at Ephesus, Caesarea, Jerusalem and then back to Antioch. *** Lord, I thank you that what the devil meant for harm, you turn for good. We see this in Judah’s life. You always preserve a remnant to carry on your name. May we be strong and courageous as we stand as your remnant.