2 Kings 12-13

 6/5 2 Kings 12-13

6/6 14-15

6/7 16-17

6/8 18-19

6/9 20-22

6/10 23-25

2 Kings 12-13

  Ob and In

(1) A strong beginning and a weak ending

12:2 Jehoash did what the LORD approved all his days when Jehoiada the priest taught him

4 Jehoash said to the priests, “I place at your disposal all the consecrated silver that has been brought to the LORD’s temple, including the silver collected from the census tax, the silver received from those who have made vows, and all the silver that people have voluntarily contributed to the LORD’s temple.
(NAC) By now the temple is well over a century old and surely needs attention

(BKC) The king planned to use the money brought by the people in regular census offerings (Ex. 30:11–16), vow offerings (Lev. 27; Num. 30), and free-will offerings. 

12:18 King Jehoash of Judah collected all the sacred items that his ancestors Jehoshaphat, Jehoram, and Ahaziah, kings of Judah, had consecrated, as well as his own sacred items and all the gold that could be found in the treasuries of the LORD’s temple and the royal palace. He sent it all to King Hazael of Syria, who then withdrew from Jerusalem.

(BKC) The whole incident illustrates the weakness of Judah at this time which resulted from Joash’s apostasy.

12:20 His servants conspired against him and murdered Joash at Beth Millo, on the road that goes down to Silla

(NAC) 12:19–21 Joash’s career does not end as grandly as it begins. After forty years in power (cf. 2 Kgs 12:1) two of his officials murder him.

(2) A good mentor cannot cannot watch over all the time

(NAC) The Chronicler says that after Jehoiada’s death Joash allows idol worship, has a man (Zechariah, son of Jehoiada) stoned for opposing his acceptance of idolatry

The decline in Joash’s character is tragic. He does not fulfill his potential. Hubbard observes, “Once a promising, God-fearing young ruler, Joash died a disappointment...” Perhaps his problem was that he never learned to make solid decisions on his own. Honeycutt writes, “In the final analysis the individual, under God’s leadership, must make his own decisions, create his own integrity, and achieve his own destiny

Reflection: I was reminded of those I mentored. How long can we mentor them? How long will they be willing to be mentored? On one hand, we are not Jehoiada. On the other hand, even Jehoiada would die and Joash did not walk in the way of the LORD after he died. Let us pray for those we mentor. Pray that their hearts really love the LORD and willing to follow Him.

(3) Another "judges cycle"?

The language in 13:1-9 is very similar to the book of Judges. 

13:2 He did evil in the sight of the LORD...3 The LORD was furious with Israel and handed them over to King Hazael of Syria...4 Jehoahaz asked for the LORD’s mercy and the LORD responded favorably...5 The LORD provided a deliverer for Israel and they were freed from Syria’s power. The Israelites once more lived in security...they continued in those sins. There was even an Asherah pole standing in Samaria...7 Jehoahaz had no army left except for 50 horsemen, 10 chariots, and 10,000 foot soldiers. The king of Syria had destroyed his troops and trampled on them as dust.

(NAC) This phraseology also sounds like that used to describe Israel’s repentance and deliverance in Judges. God’s mercy and love dictates everything he does...Despite their release, the people fail to credit God for their peace and security. In return for the Lord’s goodness, the nation continues in Jeroboam’s cult and returns to Asherah worship. The futility of such worship is highlighted by the fact that Syria brought Israel to its knees by decimating its armies while they rebelled against the Lord

However, the author also hinted that this kind of cycle was not intended to last very long. 

23 But the LORD had mercy on them and felt pity for them. He extended his favor to them because of the promise he had made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. He has been unwilling to destroy them or remove them from his presence to this very day.

(NAC) the Lord refuses to give Israel over despite all they have done. Patience radiates from God’s personal character...How long can the Lord’s patience last? How long can the people be protected by the greatness of their ancestors’ relationship to the covenant God? Judgment looms on the horizon if no changes are made. Elisha is dead. How long can Israel survive without the necessary “chariots and horsemen”?

Reflection: Israel returned the mercy of God with more rebellions. How about us? God had shown that incredible patient and unwilling to destroy them until a certain period of time. Israel was destroyed by Assyria later on in history. Shall we take that as our warnings and do not push the limits for God's mercy.

Audrey