Conduct of Jehoash

“Jehoash did what was right in the sight of the LORD all the days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him” 2 Kings 12:2 (NKJV).

Wanting to reign over Judah, Athaliah went on a murderous campaign, killing all the royal seed, except for one grandson, Jehoash - also spelled Joash (2 Kings 11:1-2). This young boy was spared because he was hidden in the Temple for a few years. Then under the leadership of godly priest Jehoiada, Jehoash was put on the throne and Athaliah his grandmother was slain. Our verse summarizes the conduct of Jehoash when he was king. It speaks of the sanctity of his conduct and the schooling for his conduct.

Sanctity of his conduct – “Jehoash did what was right in the sight of the Lord.” Jehoash behaved righteously. Unlike so many other rulers and politicians, Jehoash was not an evil man who governed the people in a wicked manner. He was righteous in his conduct. The fact that his conduct was right is confirmed by the words “in the sight of the Lord.” This is the ultimate test of our conduct. Society may approve of our behavior; but if God does not approve, then we are not righteous. If we want to be truly righteous, we must conduct ourselves according to God’s standards.

Schooling for his conduct – “All of the days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him.” The influence of godly priest Jehoiada was very effective. He was the one who instructed Jehoash regarding his behavior. The fact Jehoash’s conduct was right “in the sight of the Lord,” is evident that Jehoiada instructed him according to the Word of God. While we are all responsible for our own conduct, many a minister is to be blamed for influencing folk to evil behavior. Many preachers lower the standard of holiness by their compromised teaching and behavior. In order to please the people, these false teachers often preach a lower standard of conduct than God’s standards. They adjust their message to the level at which the people are living. This may make them popular, but it does not purify anyone. We need more Jehoiadas’ in the pulpit who honor God’s holy standards.

(Adapted from Butler Daily Bible Reading)

Soli Deo Gloria (To God Alone Be The Glory)

Quotation of the Week

“Circumstances are just raw material out of which God makes character and strength and virtue!”

Word Study

Designated

In Hebrews 5:10 we read, “Being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek!” (NASB)

Designated is the Greek word prosagoreuo (προσαγορευω). It is made up of two words: “pros” which means toward and “agoreuo” which means market place, or town square which provided a public platform for speakers. Thus the word means designate, greet, address or accost by name, to call by name or to give a name in public. It can convey the idea of a formal and solemn ascription of a title. This is the only occurrence of this word in the New Testament.

According to one commentator, the ‘designation’ of Christ as high priest precedes and follows His incarnation. It proceeds Christ’s incarnation in that the coming of the Son into the world was in accordance with the predetermined purpose of God for the redemption of the world. Thus those who are God’s redeemed people were chosen in Christ before the foundation of the world (Eph. 1:4). The designation of Christ as high priest follows His incarnation in that what was before anticipated is now completed. Hence, through His life, death, and exaltation, Christ is revealed as our great High Priest. Moreover, being a priest after the order of Melchizedek in fulfilment Psalm 110:4, places the Lord Jesus Christ in a category quite distinct from that of the Levitical order of the old covenant

Bible Facts

In Psalm 61:4 we read, “I will abide in Your tabernacle forever; I will trust in the shelter of Your wings” (NKJV). This is a beautiful picture of the protection and loving care of the Lord for His own children who come to rest under His wings, and in His presence.

Bible Quiz

According to Dr. Luke, after Jesus’ ascension, which two men were proposed as replacements for Judas?

**Answer to last week’s trivia: According to Dr. Luke, what surprised a Pharisee when Jesus ate dinner at his house? Jesus didn’t wash his hands (Luke 11:38).

That’s in the Bible

“Stumbling block”

“But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness” (1 Cor. 1:23 KJV).

The phrase ‘stumbling block’ means just what it sounds like - something that causes us to stumble or hinders our progress. Interestingly, one of the names given to Jesus is “Stumbling Block.” Indeed, He is a stumbling block, for in order to get past Him, one has to die to self and his or her sins. Stumbling causes us to go to our knees, and this is precisely where we need to be in order to make progress in our Christian walk. Forward progress by repeated stumbling may not make a lot of sense, but a baby doesn’t learn to walk without it.

Did You Know – Christian History

Huldrych (Ulrich) Zwingli was born January 1, 1484. He was a leader of the Reformation in Switzerland. Born during a time of emerging Swiss patriotism and increasing criticism of the Swiss mercenary system, he attended the University of Vienna and the University of Basel. He continued his studies while he served as a pastor in Glarus and later in Einsiedeln, where he was influenced by the writings of Erasmus.

In 1518, Zwingli became the pastor of the Great Minster church in Zurich where he began to preach ideas on reforming the Catholic Church. In his first public controversy in 1522, he attacked the custom of fasting during Lent. In his publications, he noted corruption in the ecclesiastical hierarchy, promoted clerical marriage, and attacked the use of images in places of worship. He proclaimed the Bible, not Catholic hierarchy and tradition, to be the sole source of Christian authority. Further, he persuaded civic leaders and the churches of Zurich that things not prescribed in the Bible had no place in the church’s life. Thus, in 1524, pictures, statues and relics were removed from the city’s churches - reforms more radical than those of his German contemporary, Martin Luther. In 1525, Zwingli introduced a new communion liturgy to replace the Mass. Zwingli also clashed with the Anabaptists, which resulted in their persecution. Historians have debated whether or not he turned Zurich into a theocracy.

The Reformation spread to other parts of the Swiss Confederation, but several cantons (member states) resisted, preferring to remain Catholic. Zwingli formed an alliance of Reformed cantons which divided the Confederation along religious lines. In 1529, a war between the two sides was averted at the last moment. Meanwhile, Zwingli’s ideas came to the attention of Martin Luther and other reformers. They met at the Marburg Colloquy and although they agreed on many points of doctrine, they could not reach an accord on the doctrine of the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist.

In 1531 Zwingli’s alliance applied an unsuccessful food blockade on the Catholic cantons. The cantons responded with an attack at a moment when Zurich was ill prepared. Zwingli was killed in battle at the age of 47. His legacy lives on in the confessions, liturgy, and church orders of the Reformed churches of today.

A Little Humor

A small boy is sent to bed by his mother. Five minutes later, he yelled “Mom...” “What?” asked his mother. “I’m thirsty. Can you bring me a glass of water?” “No. You had your chance. Lights out.” Five minutes later, “Mom...” “WHAT?” “I’m THIRSTY...Can I have a glass of water?” “I told you NO,” replied his mother. “If you ask again I will have to spank you.” Five minutes later, “Mommm...” A bit angry, his mother replied, “WHAT??!!” “When you come in to spank me, can you bring me a glass of water?”

Thought Provoking Church Sign

“No reformation can ever take the place of regeneration!”