2nd Kings 12 GOOD START - BAD FINISH What a blessing it is to have good mentors when we begin our lives with the Lord. They are able to guide us through the first questions we have and give us biblical answers. They can tell us what to do when choices arise and how to act when challenges come. Their guidance is invaluable when life-decisions have to be made. Because of their experience they are able to tell us what to avoid and what to put our efforts behind. Joash (Jehoash) had this kind of training from Jehoiada, the priest.
During the early years of Joash's reign, he did well as he listened to the advice of Jehoiada and acted on it. He was recognized as a good king for awhile although he didn't go far enough in dealing with religious sin. He left the "high places" where it was convenient for the people to continue their idolatrous practices. They may have thought they were worshipping God, but just because we think a thing is so, doesn't make it true. The worship of the Lord, is to be done in His way and in the place, He has "chosen to place His name there."
When we wonder about what is right, we need to be sure the Bible supports it and we must carry out the service in the way the scripture teaches. If what we intended to do is prohibited, we must not act on our own opinion. If an action keeps me from serving God, or worshipping Him in the way He wants, or loving Him without embarrassment, then I must not do it. If I am bound to a thing to the extent I am obligated as a slave to it, or if it is not consistent with the known will of God, I must have nothing to do with it no matter how attractive it may be. If an action or service I take hinders the faith and life of other believers, then i must not go there or do that. Joash did some good things but that did not cancel out his neglect to deal with the bad things.
By blending the pagan customs with the worship of the Lord in His chosen way, that custom-made religion results in people seeming religious and spiritual, but in reality, it takes them far away from the Lord. When we honor God in some ways, and then fail to reject that which is wrong, the day will come when the evil practice becomes predominate because it appeals to our fleshly nature.
Joash saw the need of the temple to be repaired and took steps to rectify the problem years of neglect and disuse had brought on the house of God. However, the priests who received the gifts for the repair of the temple did not use that which was entrusted to them in the right way or for the right purposes. So, the work for which the funds were given was not done. It is not uncommon today for funds given by people in good faith, to end up in the wrong place used for the wrong things. In our present day there are those who have received money that is intended to be used for the furtherance of the Gospel, who use that money for other purposes. Our financial giving needs to be carefully dispensed so that it is used for work with which we can have fellowship.
To deal with this problem, Jehoiada provided a means whereby the people could be assured that which they gave was used for the purpose they intended. The Levites for some reason were not doing the work for which they had been called. The priests did not, or would not do the work for which the money was given. So Jehoiada passed the funds directly to those who could do the needed work, and they did it. The workmen could be trusted and they acted with honesty as the repairs were done. Trustworthy people do not need someone looking over their shoulders all the time. They do what they do, "as unto the Lord" and often are those who are overlooked by those who like to be noticed. Those who give will give generously when they know it will be used as it was intended and they will be able to see the fruit of their labor. When designated gifts are being used properly, the Lord's people will respond.
It must have been after the death of the priest, Jehoiada, that Joash lost his direction and commitment to the righteousness of life as he had been taught. We need to know the Lord in a personal way in order to stand against the pressures that will come. Joash turned away from the Lord and even had Jehoiada's son , Zechariah, stoned to death because of his warning that the Lord would forsake him and the nation. Part of the learning process we need to instill in those who are young is the fact that "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Faith isn't something we inherit. It becomes ours when we act on what we have learned from the Lord and those who taught us His word.
Poor Joash (Jehoash) was a good king as long as his mentor lived, but when the advice he got before was not there, he actually became a spiritual failure and an incompetent leader. He began to worship idols, and as he turned away from the Lord, his went downhill personally and his life began to unravel. His kingdom went out of control and his apostasy led to his death by assassination. It is a sad commentary on one's life who began well and continued well in his younger years, but when older, to die a wicked person.
It is important for those who mentor younger people to give them the opportunity and responsibility to act on their own when possible, and give them guidance and correction when necessary. It is important for those who are younger to listen to advice given and take the advice with a view of making it our own as soon as possible. Initiative is a good thing, especially when we know there are the necessary "checks and balances" in place. Not everyone who starts well ends well.
2Kings 12:11. “And they gave the money, being told, into the hands of them that did the work, that had the oversight of the house of the Lord: and they laid it out to the carpenters and builders, that wrought upon the house of the Lord.”
REPAIR THE BREACHES. They are there, but people have become used to them – Time has a way of making the conscience numb – And to repair them will cost a considerable sum – And there are many other ways to spend our money!
But this place is the house of the Lord! Shouldn’t we go back and search the Word –
To see what to do and how to please our God? We are not demanding a certain amount of money!
One who remembers how it was at the start – And another who believed we need to be set apart – Each person who began to search his or her heart – Set aside a proportion of their money!
As the opportunity arose, they willingly did what was right. They gave what they could out of everyone else’s sight – And went away glad with footsteps that were light – Because they returned to God His money!
God gives to us what we really need – And gives us opportunities to bless others when to the Spirit we heed- It is a relief to the soul when we are freed from greed – And for God’s work we make available the money!
There are other ways we can be involved in repairing breaches – We need to be acquainted with God’s Word to know what it teaches – And be in fellowship with Him so He can reach us – To step in and do what is needed!
Exercise of heart and a willingness to act In faith that is not feigned but is an actual fact To bring God’s house back until it is fully intact – And true, sincere worship then can prosper!
“Heavenly Father, help me today to place into the hands of these workmen and women, some things that can be used to further Thy work – and repair the breaches. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”
2Kings 12:15. “Moreover they reckoned not with the men, into whose hand they delivered the money to be bestowed on workmen: for they dealt faithfully.” PEOPLE OF INTEGRITY. It had to start way in the past From those who labored long for naught. Their generation in deepest night of soul – Until a voice was heard, one of their own. And following hard on paths of proof That liberated them – set free to walk with God – A God of integrity.
The passing generations each unfolded day by day. Voices heard, and words matching deeds – And watching, learning children – with models; Models who acted on premises that now were habits; Each of these passed on – heard first, seen, and practiced – Until it remained in characters built firmly on the rock – Of integrity.
But subtle immigration turned away from voices of the past. True voices speaking, now drowned by Baal’s noisy chatter. Kings and priests, farmers and men of commerce – compromised. Then choices evil, decisions selfish. Acts – not of faith at all. Selfish, self-centered leaders – then followers – now new traditions – And lost integrity.
But not lost to all, for there are those in darkest night, Who walk still with the light; not yet hidden completely by others. Light of character once formed, still shows the strains passed on. Men and women found – next door; those we know and watch, And see, and hear - that once their voice is heard – their true word given – It is as good as done: not only done, but best labors reveal – People of integrity.
The hands of such are plied to work and funds into them given.
No questions or suspicions need to pass from mouth to mouth. The work they do, the words they say are never brought in question; For God-like, they bend to task each day – knowing not just for men, But God Himself observes and knows the cost, the way, the need To build again that which sin has broken – and He watches with satisfaction – Men of integrity.
“I thank Thee, O Father, for those who I have learned to trust and have proven over again that they have no greater joy, than to please Thee. May I too, always apply myself to those activities and actions with integrity of deed as well as word – those things which Thou hast entrusted to hands such as mine. These hands hold a stewardship that I could never deserve. Bless the efforts of these hands. In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”