January 8, 2022
Please use the comment section on this page to share insights from today’s reading OR your own personal Bible reading.
Reading along with us in 2 Kings? Here’s today’s reading:
2 Kings 12 (NIV)
1 In the seventh year of Jehu, Joash became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years. His mother’s name was Zibiah; she was from Beersheba. 2 Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him. 3 The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.
4 Joash said to the priests, “Collect all the money that is brought as sacred offerings to the temple of the Lord—the money collected in the census, the money received from personal vows and the money brought voluntarily to the temple.........Continue Reading
2 Kings 12
2Kings 12
How refreshing to see that Joash does things that are pleasing to the Lord and maintains the relationship he had with the priest that began when he was a little boy. He does not remove the high places where people had become accustomed to worship God.. This was in opposition to God’s instruction that the people should worship him at the temple only. But Joash does make the effort to repair the temple that clearly had become in disrepair. He even calls the priests out when it is not done soon enough and challenges them to eliminate their “salary” so the money could go to the repair of the temple. It all shows the value of establishing godly influence early so it has a chance to grow in later life. It is sad that Joash is killed after doing so much good. One does wonder though why he doesn’t trust God to defeat the king of Aram coming against Jerusalem rather than paying him off……there would be good precedent to rely on of God giving His people victory even against a superior force….
Its nice when we get to see a king, like Joash, finally choose to do some good. Unfortunately, similar to Jehu he was still not completely trusting in God and seek Him first when confronted with the king of Aram. His choice to send gifts instead ends in his death.
Joash does what is right in the sight of the Lord, but doesn’t remove the high places. He does exhort the priests to repair the temple.
It is unfortunate that his officials conspire against him and kill him. 🙁