Listening to Advice

O. T. #974  "Listening to Advice"
May 4, 2017
2 Chronicles 24-Part 2

LET IT GLOW

When Jehoiada died, a new era began in Judah. King Joash was probably young and influenced easily. Princes came and bowed before the king, thus persuading him to listen to their advice. They decided to abandon the Temple of God and turned to worship idols. Because of this sin, divine anger upon Judah and Jerusalem.

Yet the Lord was merciful and patient. He sent prophets to bring Judah back to Him, but the people  would not listen. Then God's Spirit gave Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, a message: Why do you disobey the Lord's commands and keep yourselves from prospering? You have abandoned the Lord, and now He has abandoned you.  (verse 20)

The leaders did not want to hear about their sin and plotted to kill Zechariah, so the king ordered it done. The prophet was stoned to death. Sadly, that was how they repaid Jehoiada for his loyalty-by killing his son. Come to find out, Jehoiada was Joash's uncle and Zechariah was his cousin.

King Joash owed his life, his throne, and past spiritual successes to his uncle; but that was all disregarded in the murder of his cousin. Jesus referred to Zechariah's murder as the last martyrdom of the Old Testament, thus indicating that in His time Chronicles appeared as the last book of the Hebrew Canon. (Liberty Bible Commentary)


Zechariah's last words as he died were: May the LORD see what they are doing and avenge my death. (verse 22)

If everything was going so well in Judah, why did they turn away from God? First, evil wants to destroy the faithfulness of God's people. Satan works in all sorts of ways. Second, Judah was prosperous and that can be a blessing or a curse. Prosperous people have to guard against self-sufficiency and pride. They tend to forget the source of their blessings is God, not themselves.
Next, the king committed a heartless murder while he was so prosperous.

Do we listen to the evil influences around us?
Have we formed a habit of daily meeting God in a quiet time of Bible study and prayer before meeting the world?
Is He the love of our heart, no matter our financial state?

LET IT GROW

Then came judgment upon Joash. Like others before him, the king started out committee to God and then leaves Him. Well, by the end of the year, what happened?

• Syria came up against Judah and Jerusalem and destroyed all the princes of the people.
• All the spoil captured was sent to the king of Damascus.
• While Joash was weakened by disease or wounds, which was probably inflicted by Syria, the king was killed in a conspiracy by his two servants.
• the Priest Jehoiada was buried with honor, but the King Joash was buried with dishonor. What a contrast.

We began this chapter with a revival in Judah under the leadership of Jehoiada and Joash, but ended with apostasy after Jehoiada's death.

How important it is to remain faithful to God, no matter if  those around us are speaking from rebellion.
Who are we listening to for advice? Do we stop and listen to God's Word, the Holy Spirit, godly advice? Or those in rebellion, pride, self-sufficiency?

LET IT GO

Discern the advice received.

Compare it with God's Word.

Pray and listen to what the Holy Spirit has to say.