A Revolt and a Reform

O.T. #848 "A Revolt and a Reform"
Oct. 12, 2016
2 Kings 11-Part 2
And all the people of the land went over to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They demolished the altars and smashed the idols to pieces, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.  2 Kings 11:18 NLT

LET IT GLOW

A woman named Athaliah, the mother of King Ahaziah whom Jehu had killed earlier, ruled 7 years over Judah. She thought that she killed all the heirs who would be competition to take over her kingdom. But, God protected baby Joash using his aunt and Uncle Jehoiada, who was a priest in the Lord's Temple, to hide the baby during Athaliah's reign. When it was time, Joash was anointed and crowned as Judah's king. That's where we pick up the story, starting with verse 13.

Do you see the faithfulness and obedience of God's priest, even to the point of risking his life?

Athaliah heard a commotion made by the palace guards and others, so she went to the Lord's Temple to investigate. There she saw the newly crowned King Joash standing in his place of authority by the pillar, which was a custom at times of coronation. Joash was surrounded by the trumpeters and commanders. People from all over the land of Judah were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. What a victory!

Do we follow the Lord as faithfully as those commanders did their priest?


LET IT GROW

Then Priest Jehoiada ordered the commanders in charge of the troops to take Athaliah out to the gate where horses entered the palace grounds and away from the Lord's Temple. That is where she was killed.
The revolt was successful. Then Judah's religious system was reformed.

In verse 17, we read of Jehoiada making a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people that they would be the LORD's people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people.

Jehoiada mediated a covenant between Joash and Judah and Jehovah. He was probably the power behind the throne, while Joash was a figurehead. (Falwell)

After this, all the people demolished the altars and smashed the idols to pieces, as well s tearing down the temple of Baal. They killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.
I can see them clapping their hands together as they rid themselves of the dirty job and idolatry.

Seven year old King Joash took his seat on the royal throne. All the people of the land of Judah rejoiced and there was peace in the city.

Let us pray for America to be a nation that worships the Lord God, not a false pagan god.


LET IT GO

Recommit myself to serving the Lord God and His Son Jesus Christ.