2nd Chronicles 23 THE WATCH OF THE LORD It is not always easy to be patient and wait for the Lord's timing when things seem to be going from bad to worse. On the other hand, people of grace, or of a gracious nature, often do not want to confront that which is wrong until a lot of damage is done. The "watch of the Lord" is like a guard duty in which that which is not of God has to be kept out and that which is set aside for God is brought in. It is not arrogance nor an uncaring attitude that refuses entry of unbelievers or those who do not have a commitment to the Lord of God as our source of information regarding church practice. It is rather a response to divine authority when we guard that which is holy, consistent to the word of our holy God.
The temple of God was a holy place, and order according to the word of God was to be maintained there. There was a variety of men responsible for "the watch of the Lord." Soldiers, Levites and priest were all involved in guarding that which was God's. Even in dark days when evil and idolatrous worship goes on all around us, God can preserve His testimony and His people who love Him and love the truth. For six years while the little child was growing in a secret place, Athaliah ruled while the majority of the people groaned under her wicked ways. She not only was an idol worshipper but she also promoted her religion. Perhaps we wonder what will become of us as a nation because of the anti-Christian attitude in schools, governments and society in general. The majority of the population now is committed to tolerance in almost everything except fundamental Christianity. They accused Bible-believing Christians of being intolerant as if that is a terrible thing. To tolerate immorality, covetousness, rioting in the name of some other religion or race is well accepted. To see Bibles in school, verses of scripture in public, the Ten Commandments in a courtroom, prayer at ball games or school events is cause for antagonism, scorn, law suits and even riots.
There comes a time when under divine direction, people of faith must take appropriate action in spite of the dangers and difficulties they may encounter, and the work involved in doing the right thing. We need to be prepared at all times for those openings that come obviously from God to promote that which we know to be according to His will. Jehoiada led other people in doing the right thing publicly when the child reached seven years of age and could stand before the people. His wife, Jehoshabeath, did the right thing when she took the child as an infant and kept him safe and prepared him for the day of coronation. She did her work in private. Her husband did his work in public and the result was blessing all around. Evil was put down and righteousness was promoted among the whole nation.
Resentment by the people against the evil woman, Athaliah, was an undercurrent for six long years. There was apparently a desire on the part of the people to return to the Lord and the spiritual worship of God. When Jehoiada knew the time was right, he realized he needed to "strengthen himself," before he could expect others to enter into "covenant with Him" and then "with the king in the house of God." To expect others to step out and do what we want, and seek to serve only in advisory capacity ourselves does not motivate the Lord's people to act in faith. By careful organization, the high priest arranged the whole event in such a way that there was safety for the child-king and at the same time visible evidence of solidarity on the part of priesthood, the Levites and the military leaders.
Covenants are binding agreements that are not to be entered into lightly. The three covenants the chronicler wrote about were plain. There was the covenant between the high priest and the military leaders. Then there was a covenant between the people and the king made in the house of God. Thirdly there was a covenant between Jehoiada the high priest, the people and the king with the Lord that they should be the "Lord's people." The changes being made had the potential for bloodshed, but Jehoiada made sure that nothing would make the temple unclean or defile it in any way. We need to commit ourselves to maintaining the holiness of God so that it will not be compromised in any way when we gather as His people in His name. It would be an awful thing if any action we might take would besmirch the testimony of an assembly because we became careless about divine things.
The safety of the young king was assured by strong men who were armed and ready for any contingency. The place and timing of his coronation was significant because it was similar that of David generations earlier. God's work is not dependent in any way on appeasement to the will of men or opinions of men. There was no way there could be any connection between the new king and those who were "the Lord's people" and the wicked queen, Athaliah. Therefore, no contact was made with her until she heard the sound of people running to toward the temple and praising God audibly. The whole plan and the carrying out of the plan had caught her by surprise. She still retained her defiant attitude toward God, His people and the new king (her grandson). Willful wickedness and defiance of the truth go together. There can be no mixing of that which is of God and that which is of Satan.
The writer of the chronicles seems to have made it plain to those of his time that this woman was a usurper of the throne and was not a recognized ruler of Judah. There will likely be times when some person or persons claim a position which they have no right to fill. When or if that happens, we need to be wise, even if we have to wait awhile, and then act under the authority of our Lord in dealing with that person, so the Lord's people can be assured that what is done is right. Some of the believers may be young and/or untaught, and still have the characteristic of the world of being tolerant of differences even when they are evil.
The reforms that began after the child Joash was crowned king, would have been under the guidance of the high priest Jehoiada who began with a covenant and then moved outward to destroying idols, stopping idolatry and restoring the worship of God as it was supposed to be. Under the guidance of the Lord and by His power, the course of that nation was changed in a day from the wrong way to the right way. "The watch of the Lord" worked as it was supposed to and the results were what God intended. That which is wrong among God's people must go, and then there can be the rejoicing of restored fellowship with God and His faithful people.