WEAKNESS OF CHARACTER. 2nd Chronicles 24 The writer of Chronicles carefully emphasized to those returning from captivity the importance of spiritual commitment to God and His word. Judah experienced some good years when Joash was king, guided by Jehoiada. The chronicler also noted that Jehoiada understood the significance of suitable wives and children. The blessing of God is often linked to family life in the scriptures.
Our expectation is that when a child is young, they will learn the lessons we teach them during their childhood, and as the years go by, they will make those principles and truths their own in a personal way. Not every child from a good home and proper upbringing will see those privileges as positive. Some may even resent the pressure placed on them by loving parents to face hardships because they couldn't do what they wanted. Some children from very underprivileged and dysfunctional homes decide in their minds that they will rise above the adversity they faced and move forward to achieve a meaningful goal. There is no way to know which path a young person will take when they grow up.
Joash had a strong start under a godly man and his devout wife. Jehoiada, the high priest, and Jehoshabeath, his wife, raised the boy from infancy and managed to instill in this orphaned boy high standards, moral principles, and a spiritual outlook. He was able to recognize what was needed to repair the temple, showing a practical side as a young king. He was probably somewhat impulsive. When those he assigned to collect funds for the temple repairs, in the form of taxes, did not act quickly, a chest for freewill offerings was set up, likely on Jehoiada’s advice.
It is possible to learn what is right and do what is right when one is young because that is all they have known in a godly home. Because of the faith of parents and the security of the Lord's people as friends, and experiencing the safety of a scriptural assembly, some young people appear to be committed Christians. We find great joy when we see them among us in the assembly, and as they live with us at home. We hope and pray that they will be saved and join the fellowship of a local assembly, living their lives for God. However, we cannot guarantee this, nor can we blame ourselves if we have done what we believed the Lord wanted us to do, and it did not turn out as we had hoped. Each person has to make their own decisions, choices, and convictions. Then, each one must accept the consequences of their choices.
As Joash matured and took on more responsibility for leading the nation, he achieved some positive results. Not only was he able to raise funds for the temple repairs without raising taxes, but he also motivated the people to be generous by offering them the chance for free-will offerings. The Levites were slow to go among the people to collect what was needed, but when people were allowed to give freely, the funds increased. Those Levites underestimated the people's mindset and their desire for God. Joash had "a mind to repair the temple." He knew his uncles had taken items from the temple and vandalized God's house to get resources for Baal worship.
Leaders need to understand people well enough to motivate them properly on spiritual matters. God's people will respond generously and willingly if they see that the work is for the right reasons. Knowing what is right and doing it is good. Engaging others in good work is good. Following a spiritual mentor's advice is good, but none of that will protect you from evil if it is not done "as unto the Lord." The influence of another does not make truth personal to me. In a sense, each person must, in faith, step out with personal confidence in God and personal convictions.
Generosity cannot be demanded; it originates from the heart. A slow response to a command is a sign of disobedience. When someone says, "I'll do it in my own good time," or "Yeah, I'll get to it when it's convenient for me," or "Don't push me; when I want to, I'll get around to it," that not only disrespects the person who gave the task but, when the task is in view of the glory of God, it also disrespects God.
The funds received for the repairs were more than enough to complete the work. They could also add some items that were useful in the temple. The men who worked there were trustworthy laborers of honest character. Their integrity was not in question because the results were clear. The results were visible. Being trusted with the financial affairs of an assembly, or for any purpose, is a great honor and responsibility. A wise person does what they say, in the best way possible, and is careful to avoid any appearance of impropriety when it comes to money.
Jehoiada "had done good in Israel," and everyone knew it. When he was buried, he was honored like a king. He lived through difficult times under poor leadership but stayed focused on what was right, regardless of others' actions, and he did what was right. What a great compliment from the people: "He had done good." Faithfulness during times of decline, vision during periods of complacency, and righteousness amid moral and spiritual decay are admirable qualities of a faithful servant of God. Sadly, "after the death of Jehoiada," it wasn't long before departure and neglect began. "They left the house of the Lord God of their fathers."
Influence. Influence is the unseen force within a person's character that motivates others to act. The influence of Christians is recognized worldwide in many ways. A Christian is to be like salt that can purify contamination and preserve purity. It also adds flavor to food, making it more enjoyable to eat. Christians lose their influence and testimony when they are inconsistent, compromise truth, or fail to live up to the calling of the Lord Jesus Christ. We are also called to be influential by shining as lights before others, so that they may honor our Father in heaven. Our light should lead people to God.
When things go well spiritually, God's people are dedicated to worship and service. However, prosperity can affect the mind in different ways, either positively or negatively. Prosperity can be a blessing or a curse; a sign of God's grace or of human greed. When we take God's goodness for granted, we risk becoming proud and self-sufficient. Prosperity also has the potential to lead to spiritual and moral decline.
When we live out the truth we believe every day, it has a profoundly positive influence on those around us. Our testimony to God’s grace can strongly appeal to others, especially if we are optimistic, enthusiastic, and joyful in our faith, our attitude toward His people, the Gospel, and the church we are part of.
The influence of our personal relationships, especially our marriage, is profound in the lives of young Christians. We must intentionally avoid anything that could cause others to stumble. Our freedom in Christ does not give us the right to override the consciences of others. It is crucial that we live honorably, with spiritual discernment and wisdom. Our relationships with unbelievers may be limited, but they should be beneficial to them. Our conduct must be above reproach, and our concern for them should be genuine, visible, and consistent.
God is the source of every blessing. Abandoning God after His great blessings is a sign of arrogance and alienation from Him, as well as turning to something else as more important. Joash never had a personal experience of faith in God, but he did what was right when influenced by godly people. After a period of righteous rule, “as long as Jehoiada lived,” he did what he knew would please his mentor. He had no new nature as a believer in God and became an idolater who murdered Zechariah, Jehoiada’s son, with whom he had been raised. As Zechariah died, he said, “May the Lord see this and call you to account.”
When someone intentionally turns away from what is right, he is considered an apostate. Joash died as a failed, helpless, godless apostate who lost the respect of the people and the favor of God. God’s grace had protected him in his youth, but spiritual darkness led to disgrace, disappointment, and death.
In the case of the people of Judah, they reverted to idolatry. For Joash to go against what he had been taught from his youth and even practiced at the beginning of his reign, then go against it all, indicates a regrettable moral deficiency and certainly weakness of his character. He began his downward course by "hearkening" to the wrong advice. Then "they left the house of the Lord God." Next, "they would not give ear" to the warnings of the prophets. Then they "forsook the Lord." Poor Joash ended his life when "his own servants conspired against him."
God offers chances for repentance and restoration before judgment and punishment. He did not abandon Joash and the nation without speaking through His prophets. Zechariah warned him that "those who transgress cannot prosper." The terrible crime of murder against the son of his mentor, Jehoiada, marks Joash as a contemptible man at the end of his reign, even though he started out well.
When people sin and face their wrongdoings by repenting and admitting guilt, God is still willing to show mercy when they turn to and follow Him. The entire nation was repeatedly warned of the destruction that would come if they continued down their current path. However, the political and spiritual decline grew so severe that they ignored these warnings and lost everything. Justice will be served, and although Zechariah was killed for speaking the truth, that did not stop the consequences of sin from occurring. Justice and judgment arrived, and the people hated Joash so much that they refused to bury him as a king.
The Mentor. A man of vision, whom God raises up to provide guidance and counsel as a leader, is a person of great value to all the people who need the work of a teacher. He has learned from the past and directly from God what the people need. A nation and its leader will be greatly blessed if they heed such a mentor. He is aware of the needs of the hour and is a man the Lord can trust. With truth and faith, he passes on what is essential. He does more than speak; he has learned that actions speak louder than words. Therefore, he makes himself available to those younger than him who need to learn from his experiences.
He doesn’t overlook youth, because he can see the potential in the generation coming behind him. He knows there will continue to be a falling away if someone isn’t willing to teach them. So, he starts when they’re young, even though he can sense the weakness in their nature. Despite that flaw, he pours into their minds what is needed in leadership terminology. It encourages him when he sees a response and someone showing real initiative. As he steps back a bit and observes what is done, he is aware of how much advice is needed and what is no longer wanted. He is sensitive to the role he fills. The mentor steps back into the shadows and waits to see if there is still a need for him.
It is not easy to step back and take your hands off the wheel, but you know others are not like you. And the mentor fears the changes others will make will lead to mistakes before they are through. But there is only so far the mentor can go; he knows the learner has a mind of his own. And the mentor prays that the ones he has taught will not reject all they have been shown. There will inevitably be failures; personalities differ, and the mentor can’t make everything right. The best he can hope for is that God has instilled in the learner convictions based on the light of the Word of God, the mentor has taught, and in a practical way, has tried to show that God has a right to expect us to act righteously on all that we know.