Ever become emotionally attached to a Christian leader and feel crushed when they’re showcased in the news as a hypocrite? How disheartening when you have connected with a leader, followed them, and were loyal to their ministry. You may need to ask the question, who do you follow?
Kings is written from quite a logical standpoint with reference to the covenant. It is the backbone of 1 and 2 Kings as it informs the audience about a particular person–whether they upheld the covenant or not. The covenant being, in essence, a binding agreement that both parties entered into and walked through the blessings and/or curses of their decisions in relation to the covenant.
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Family Dynamics…
Sometimes, the family you are born into is not healthy. Such as the case with Joash. Poor kid! His Dad (the King) had just died plus he had a Grandma who desperately wanted power all to herself so she killed off the rest of the royal family. Except, she was part of that royal family so she chose to murder all her relatives, grandkids, etc. She couldn’t have an heir heir to the throne, even if it was her own family, right? Except that Joash was hidden away as a baby in the palace.
The priest Jehoida eventually set up a coup to overthrow her and appoint the rightful heir to the throne, Joash, who had been in hiding.
Youngest King in the Old Testament…
And so it goes that Joash became king at 7 years old. Goodness, I have two 11-year olds that have a chore list, and we’re good at that level, I can’t imagine a 7 year old in charge of an entire nation. But what struck me in the account was 2 Kings 12:2 and the coinciding 2 Chronicles verse.
And [Joash] did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all his days, because Jehoiada the priest instructed him.
2 Kings 12:2
And Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.
2 Chronicles 24:2
Who does your heart follow…
It very much reads as the Old Testament version of a worldly or lukewarm “Christian”. Joash did not do what was right in the eyes of the Lord because his heart was aimed at God. He did it because he was following the counsel of a Godly man.
“…[A]ll the days of Jehoida the priest.”
2 Chronicles 24:2b
Who do you follow…
Joash acted consistent with those who are in right relationship with the Lord, he even had a priority during his kingship to repair the temple. Until Jehoida died. Then his true heart attitude was released for all to see; he was no longer reigned in by a Christian guide. Not only that, he abandoned the temple, as well as God, and then worshiped Asherah poles and idols. He swung so far on the pendulum that when Jehoida’s own son came to prophecy the words of the Lord against his disobedience, he ordered for him to be stoned to death.
Who do you follow? Are we much different? I hope so, but how easy is it to just go along with a Pastor, or maybe a spouse as a spiritual leader without having a heart transformation? Are the pews littered with those who claim the name of Christ and who do what would be considered right in His eyes, for a time only? I pray not! Take note if someone in your life has claimed God as Lord of their life but strongly deviates to do evil; study the Bible and pray that it will be clear whether or not their heart has been truly humbled through it (genuine signs of an apology will give you some insight into whether their heart is truly repentant).
To the pure, all things are pure, but to the defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but both their minds and their consciences are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, unfit for any good work.
Titus 1:15-16
Such. Strong. Language. It’s in the Bible, and it’s there for a reason. As sad as it is to read, it is a truth we must face. A Christian has much more that should be attributed to them than mere knowledge or words, everything they do will stem from a heart that has been utterly wrecked in order that the Holy Spirit can dwell there. So also true, a Christian’s actions will be focused on doing God’s will, not just doing ‘Christian actions’ to imitate a leader in their life.
It is narrow…
If you hop over to Matthew 7, the beatitudes and fruit in keeping with repentance are presented. Following after, it talks about just how narrow the gate is that leads to Heaven and the ravenous wolves *among us*.
Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. On that day many will say to me, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and cast out demons in your name, and do many mighty works in your name?’ And then will I declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from me, you workers of lawlessness.’
Matthew 7:21-23
The ramifications…
What matters is NOT outward acts effecting the illusion of being His, but as verse 21 clearly states, it is the one who does the will of the Father. It is His will. You will not know the will of the Father until you have submitted your own to Him completely. God is inviting repentance, true repentance whereby change is effected from true conversion. He doesn’t want lip service, he wants your heart.
Joash was no different. He followed a Christian leader, and when Jehoida died, Joash’s true heart condition was revealed. Chapter 17 brings home the reality of God’s anger and why He removed the Israelites out of His sight. He expected to be the one true God and clearly was not; He expects the same from our life. If your heart secretly worships another god, that information is not hidden from Him.
Who do you follow? Better yet, who does your heart follow? Hopefully, ‘God‘ is the answer to both of those questions.
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Yes, I have been terribly disappointed in the past by the fall of a great spiritual leader. I know everyone is human, but it’s still hard to watch when someone takes a hard turn in the wrong direction.
Same! It ended up becoming a great reminder for our hope to be in God alone! Becca
“Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it!”
We are so distractable!