Judah’s Jezebel
We continue to have a good amount of rain. I started out to the fitness center and rain was so heavy I decided to wait. After working for some time in my office the weather began to finally improve. But by that time, I was feeling so tired, I needed to get in a nap before an evening commitment.
As the weather improves, the moisture will green things up and propel us even more into spring. I’m glad I was able to get my garden spot tilled before the rain set in.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… As soon as King Ahaziah’s mother Athaliah learned of her son’s murder, she gave orders for all the members of the royal family of Judah to be killed. Ahaziah had a half sister, Jehosheba, who was married to a priest named Jehoiada. She secretly rescued one of Ahaziah’s sons, Joash, took him away from the other princes who were about to be murdered and hid him and a nurse in a bedroom at the Temple…. For six years he remained there in hiding, while Athaliah ruled as queen. 2 Chronicles 22:10-12
This stretch between Jehoshaphat and Jehoiada was a challenging time for God’s people. Jehoshaphat did many things right as far as confronting idolatry, but he made an alliance with Israel at the worst possible time when King Ahab and his wicked wife Jezebel were in power. A marriage was arranged with his son Jehoram and Athaliah, the daughter of King Ahab and Jezebel,
This brought an evil influence to Judah that almost brought the dynasty of David to and end. Jehoshaphat was killed in battle when we formed a military alliance with Ahab. His son Jehoram reigned eight years before a painful death. He killed off his brothers and the Bible records, “He followed the wicked example of King Ahab and the other kings of Israel, because he had married one of Ahab’s daughters. He sinned against the Lord, but the Lord was not willing to destroy the dynasty of David…” (2 Chron. 21:6,7)
The evil character of King Jehoram and his short reign is seen in this epitaph, “Nobody was sorry when he died.” (2 Chron. 21:20) Ahaziah, His twenty-two year old brother, the only living heir to the throne, ruled only one year before being killed by King Jehu of Israel who the Lord used to bring judgment to the household of King Ahab.
In this void Athaliah did what Jezebel was not able to do. She quickly made herself Queen and killed all of the Kings sons. She ruled for six years as a wicked, idolatrous queen. Ahaziah’s half-sister rescued a one year old son of the King and they hid him in the temple for six years. When they felt the time was right Jehoiada the priest presented the boy King to the people as the rightful heir to the throne. The coronation of Joash and the death of Athaliah saved the dynasty of David in Judah.
What can we learn from this account? First of all, it is important to remember that those who are closest to us, will determine our future. King Jehoshaphat, in spite of his good qualities made a fatal error in aligning his family and kingdom with that of Israel and King Ahab. Perhaps he thought this would be a step to reunifying God’s people, if not under one government, at least in a peaceful alliance.
However, we see the wicked influence of Ahab, mitigated any righteous acts by Jehoshaphat. Solomon gave this warning, “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” (Prov. 12:26) The first Psalm offers this advice, “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers… “(Psalm 1:1) Paul the Apostle puts is clearly, “Don’t fool yourselves. Bad friends will destroy you.” (1 Corinthians 15:33 CEV) This is an important concept for youth and adults to remember.
Next it is important to remember that the choices we make can have immediate and long term ramifications. King Jehoshaphat’s alliance with Ahab, led to his own death when he joined Ahab in battle. But we see the impact of what was set in motion playing itself out over years to come. There was much evil and bloodshed that took place as a result. The downward slide was broken when a child King was raised by a Godly priest came to power. But history also shows the seeds of idolatry and rebellion against the Lord remained in the hearts of the people.
Finally, we see the Lord’s faithfulness to protect and keep His promise to David. The saving of a one year old boy, made the difference in perpetuating the line of David ruling in Judah. The faith and bravery of one family member and a priest who took action allowed the Lord’s promise of an enduring dynasty to be restored.
It is important for us to remember the we have a spiritual enemy who will work to undermine and destroy the Lord’s good purpose for our life and our family. This calls us to be vigilant and focused. We can be confident that the Lord is on our side and what He has promised for those who love Him will come to pass.