1 00:00:00,760 --> 00:00:05,080 Speaker 1: Let us pray. Yet he send profits to them to 2 00:00:05,120 --> 00:00:09,200 Speaker 1: bring them again unto the Lord. And they testified against them, 3 00:00:09,880 --> 00:00:13,880 Speaker 1: but they would not give ear Second Chronicles twenty four 4 00:00:14,000 --> 00:00:19,440 Speaker 1: nineteen To day, Lord, I am making the conscious decision 5 00:00:20,160 --> 00:00:25,320 Speaker 1: to forever be mindful of how I conduct myself. Because 6 00:00:25,360 --> 00:00:28,240 Speaker 1: I am a leader, and because you have entrusted me 7 00:00:28,360 --> 00:00:33,159 Speaker 1: with influence in the lives of others. I will not 8 00:00:33,240 --> 00:00:37,360 Speaker 1: lower my standards to become comfortable with ungodliness. I will 9 00:00:37,400 --> 00:00:39,560 Speaker 1: not lower my standards to cater to the hearts of 10 00:00:39,600 --> 00:00:42,839 Speaker 1: those who desire to walk away from your goodness and 11 00:00:42,920 --> 00:00:48,800 Speaker 1: your mercy. Lord, I decree and declare that I will 12 00:00:48,800 --> 00:00:52,879 Speaker 1: stay the course and finish my race of faith with 13 00:00:53,080 --> 00:00:57,920 Speaker 1: all diligence. Whether eyes are on me or whether I 14 00:00:57,960 --> 00:01:02,080 Speaker 1: am alone, I will make sure that I represent Christ 15 00:01:02,800 --> 00:01:06,520 Speaker 1: in all that I do, For I know that I 16 00:01:06,600 --> 00:01:08,760 Speaker 1: do not have the luxury of living up to others' 17 00:01:08,840 --> 00:01:14,959 Speaker 1: low expectations of my life. So with Second Kings before 18 00:01:15,000 --> 00:01:19,600 Speaker 1: me and joe Ash's story heard by me, I will 19 00:01:19,640 --> 00:01:23,400 Speaker 1: not be moved from my place of faith in You God, 20 00:01:25,040 --> 00:01:33,200 Speaker 1: in Jesus' name. Amen. Listening to these daily prayers strengthens 21 00:01:33,200 --> 00:01:36,880 Speaker 1: your relationship with God. Continue hearing from the Lord by 22 00:01:36,959 --> 00:01:40,759 Speaker 1: listening to today's Bible in a Year, brought to you 23 00:01:41,080 --> 00:01:42,760 Speaker 1: by Bible in a Year dot. 24 00:01:42,520 --> 00:01:54,320 Speaker 2: Com Joe Ash. 25 00:01:54,960 --> 00:01:58,720 Speaker 3: In our last story, we learned about Queen Atheliah. Her 26 00:01:58,800 --> 00:02:03,360 Speaker 3: foul heard turn the entire nation of Judah corrupt and depressed. 27 00:02:04,000 --> 00:02:07,720 Speaker 3: She ruled to serve herself and killed her grandchildren in 28 00:02:07,760 --> 00:02:12,480 Speaker 3: attempts to secure her power. However, she overlooked one grandchild, 29 00:02:12,919 --> 00:02:17,400 Speaker 3: joe Ash. The righteous leaders of Judah overthrew Athaliah and 30 00:02:17,480 --> 00:02:21,040 Speaker 3: placed joe Ash as king over the land. Now we 31 00:02:21,240 --> 00:02:24,800 Speaker 3: learn of Joash's time as king. His faith would be 32 00:02:24,840 --> 00:02:30,000 Speaker 3: reliant on the high priest Jehoiadah. However, would Joash's heart 33 00:02:30,080 --> 00:02:34,280 Speaker 3: cling to righteousness even in his teacher's absence, or would 34 00:02:34,280 --> 00:02:36,600 Speaker 3: the darkness and his heart be too much for him 35 00:02:36,600 --> 00:02:40,760 Speaker 3: to bear alone? Inspired by the Book of Second Kings 36 00:02:40,800 --> 00:02:42,600 Speaker 3: and Second Chronicles. 37 00:02:44,080 --> 00:02:46,600 Speaker 4: This is Pastor Jack Graham with the day's episode of 38 00:02:46,600 --> 00:02:50,760 Speaker 4: the Bible in a Year podcast. In our previous episode, 39 00:02:51,040 --> 00:02:54,720 Speaker 4: we heard about Athaliah, the daughter of King Ahab and Jezebel, 40 00:02:55,000 --> 00:02:58,200 Speaker 4: who became the only woman to ever rule over God's people. 41 00:02:59,000 --> 00:03:01,920 Speaker 4: Her evil heart and hunger for power caused her to 42 00:03:01,960 --> 00:03:04,720 Speaker 4: carry out a slaughter of all of David's descendants in 43 00:03:04,760 --> 00:03:08,120 Speaker 4: an attempt to secure her rule. But God's plan to 44 00:03:08,160 --> 00:03:11,320 Speaker 4: save his people through David could not be stopped, and 45 00:03:11,440 --> 00:03:16,720 Speaker 4: one child remained Atheliah's grandson, joe Ash. When joe Ash 46 00:03:16,840 --> 00:03:20,680 Speaker 4: was just seven, the leaders of Judah overthrew Athaliah and 47 00:03:20,720 --> 00:03:24,440 Speaker 4: installed him as king, with Jehodah the High Priest as 48 00:03:24,440 --> 00:03:28,400 Speaker 4: his counsel. Today, we'll hear about joe Ash's righteous rule 49 00:03:28,680 --> 00:03:31,880 Speaker 4: under the tutelage of his garden and discovered that the 50 00:03:31,960 --> 00:03:35,880 Speaker 4: young man stayed faithful to his teaching. Let's listen now 51 00:03:35,960 --> 00:03:37,680 Speaker 4: to today's reading from God's word. 52 00:03:38,960 --> 00:03:42,400 Speaker 3: The daughter of the witch queen had fallen. The kingdom 53 00:03:42,440 --> 00:03:45,560 Speaker 3: of Judah was rid of its villainous empress and now 54 00:03:45,600 --> 00:03:48,920 Speaker 3: free to worship the Lord under its new king, Joash. 55 00:03:49,320 --> 00:03:51,440 Speaker 3: The new king was only a boy when he took 56 00:03:51,480 --> 00:03:54,160 Speaker 3: the throne at the age of seven. Joe Ash was 57 00:03:54,200 --> 00:03:59,040 Speaker 3: given a terribly heavy burden to bear. He desired to play, explore, 58 00:03:59,160 --> 00:04:02,720 Speaker 3: and learn like any other boy his age. However, he 59 00:04:02,840 --> 00:04:06,040 Speaker 3: was now responsible for the well being of an entire nation. 60 00:04:06,960 --> 00:04:10,240 Speaker 3: Joash leaned on the guidance of Jehoiada, the high priest. 61 00:04:10,800 --> 00:04:13,839 Speaker 3: He was a gentle servant of God, wise and full 62 00:04:13,880 --> 00:04:17,159 Speaker 3: of God's spirit. He raised Joash in the fear and 63 00:04:17,240 --> 00:04:21,599 Speaker 3: wisdom of the Lord. Jehoyada gathered other elders, priests, and 64 00:04:21,720 --> 00:04:25,880 Speaker 3: leaders to come alongside the young king to strengthen encounsel him. 65 00:04:26,040 --> 00:04:29,800 Speaker 3: As Joash grew older, Jehoiadah found two wives for him 66 00:04:29,839 --> 00:04:34,160 Speaker 3: to settle alliances with other tribes. As Jehoyida grew stronger 67 00:04:34,160 --> 00:04:37,760 Speaker 3: and more independent, the Lord blessed him with many children 68 00:04:37,800 --> 00:04:42,360 Speaker 3: and a thriving kingdom. Joash was surveying his kingdom in 69 00:04:42,400 --> 00:04:45,520 Speaker 3: the coolness of the morning. The sun was just beginning 70 00:04:45,520 --> 00:04:48,240 Speaker 3: to peer over the hillside, and the new rays of 71 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:51,440 Speaker 3: light shone on the Temple of God. The temple was 72 00:04:51,480 --> 00:04:55,800 Speaker 3: brilliantly designed by Solomon, However, years of neglect had broken 73 00:04:55,839 --> 00:04:58,679 Speaker 3: it down. The temple had lost much of its luster. 74 00:04:59,320 --> 00:05:03,080 Speaker 3: Joash knew that the temple could not contain God, However, 75 00:05:03,200 --> 00:05:06,520 Speaker 3: it was a symbol of Israel's relationship with him. He 76 00:05:06,600 --> 00:05:09,479 Speaker 3: determined in his heart to repair the broken parts of 77 00:05:09,480 --> 00:05:13,240 Speaker 3: the temple. So Joash set plans in place to restore 78 00:05:13,279 --> 00:05:17,320 Speaker 3: the place of worship enthusiastic about his new project, King 79 00:05:17,400 --> 00:05:20,720 Speaker 3: Joash summoned all the priests and levites to his home. 80 00:05:21,480 --> 00:05:24,760 Speaker 3: They watched as the king laid out his plan. Now, 81 00:05:24,920 --> 00:05:27,600 Speaker 3: all we need is to collect the annual offerings from 82 00:05:27,640 --> 00:05:31,240 Speaker 3: the people, Joash said, with excitement, that will fund the 83 00:05:31,279 --> 00:05:35,520 Speaker 3: temple repairs. Go quickly to collect from them. However, as 84 00:05:35,600 --> 00:05:38,919 Speaker 3: Joash was speaking, his enthusiasm was not matched by the 85 00:05:38,960 --> 00:05:42,080 Speaker 3: men in the room. They left the meeting but delayed 86 00:05:42,120 --> 00:05:46,000 Speaker 3: in collecting the funds from the people. Joash was anxious 87 00:05:46,040 --> 00:05:48,359 Speaker 3: that the priests and levites did not reach out to 88 00:05:48,400 --> 00:05:51,520 Speaker 3: the people for an offering. He did not understand why 89 00:05:51,560 --> 00:05:55,360 Speaker 3: they would delay in such a noble project. Disturbed and hurt, 90 00:05:55,680 --> 00:05:59,559 Speaker 3: he summoned Jehoyda to his home. The old priest sat 91 00:05:59,600 --> 00:06:03,640 Speaker 3: down years had weighed heavily and Jehoyda, but he maintained 92 00:06:03,640 --> 00:06:07,520 Speaker 3: his bright smile and positive glow. Why haven't the priests 93 00:06:07,520 --> 00:06:11,080 Speaker 3: and levites collected the taxes yet, Joash asked, while pacing 94 00:06:11,120 --> 00:06:14,159 Speaker 3: the room. Moses declared, this tax in the community of 95 00:06:14,240 --> 00:06:18,280 Speaker 3: Israel to maintain the tabernacle. It is an act of worship. 96 00:06:18,880 --> 00:06:20,800 Speaker 3: I would have thought they would be excited to do 97 00:06:20,920 --> 00:06:25,160 Speaker 3: so Jehoyda smiled and nodded his head. He stood up 98 00:06:25,200 --> 00:06:28,359 Speaker 3: and looked out the king's window towards the temple. He 99 00:06:28,440 --> 00:06:30,919 Speaker 3: then began to tell joe Ash about the years before 100 00:06:30,960 --> 00:06:34,760 Speaker 3: he was king. For six years, Queen Arthaliah and her 101 00:06:34,800 --> 00:06:37,880 Speaker 3: men would collect the temple tax and then raid it 102 00:06:37,880 --> 00:06:40,320 Speaker 3: in the middle of the night to build altars to bale. 103 00:06:40,920 --> 00:06:44,040 Speaker 3: The people were oppressed with their own offering. They were 104 00:06:44,120 --> 00:06:48,000 Speaker 3: choked out by their own acts of worship. Jehoyada looked 105 00:06:48,000 --> 00:06:50,839 Speaker 3: at Joash and put his hands on his shoulders. He 106 00:06:51,000 --> 00:06:54,520 Speaker 3: was still a young king, naive, but with a good heart. 107 00:06:55,320 --> 00:06:58,800 Speaker 3: You must comfort the people that things have changed, he said. 108 00:06:59,600 --> 00:07:02,719 Speaker 3: Joe Ash nodded and left the room. He ordered for 109 00:07:02,760 --> 00:07:05,800 Speaker 3: a large chest to be made and placed outside the 110 00:07:05,839 --> 00:07:09,760 Speaker 3: temple gate. The chest was massive, immovable, and could be 111 00:07:09,840 --> 00:07:13,200 Speaker 3: seen by all. He then explained that the chest would 112 00:07:13,200 --> 00:07:16,040 Speaker 3: be a symbol of transparency. No one would take the 113 00:07:16,080 --> 00:07:19,840 Speaker 3: money in secret or in the shadows. When money would 114 00:07:19,840 --> 00:07:22,559 Speaker 3: be taken to repair the temple, all would be able 115 00:07:22,600 --> 00:07:25,960 Speaker 3: to witness it. So the proclamation was sent throughout all 116 00:07:26,000 --> 00:07:30,240 Speaker 3: of Judah and Jerusalem. People happily answered the call and 117 00:07:30,320 --> 00:07:32,960 Speaker 3: brought their temple tax to the chest of the temple. 118 00:07:33,600 --> 00:07:37,440 Speaker 3: The elders, priests, and levites were pleased to partner with 119 00:07:37,520 --> 00:07:40,520 Speaker 3: joe Ash since he proved to be a leader of light, 120 00:07:41,080 --> 00:07:44,360 Speaker 3: not of darkness. He would not hide in the shadows 121 00:07:44,360 --> 00:07:48,760 Speaker 3: as his grandmother. Masons, metal workers, and carpenters were all 122 00:07:48,880 --> 00:07:52,240 Speaker 3: hired to restore the temple. The beaten up exterior of 123 00:07:52,280 --> 00:07:55,040 Speaker 3: the temple began to be smoothed of its rough surface. 124 00:07:55,560 --> 00:07:59,400 Speaker 3: The rotting beams were replaced with sturdy wood. The eroding 125 00:07:59,440 --> 00:08:02,760 Speaker 3: medal was he furbished and polished. As the temple began 126 00:08:02,840 --> 00:08:05,400 Speaker 3: to be cleaned, so did the hearts of the people. 127 00:08:06,200 --> 00:08:09,160 Speaker 3: The temple was a symbol of their restored relationship to 128 00:08:09,240 --> 00:08:13,040 Speaker 3: God after years of darkness. After the work was done, 129 00:08:13,200 --> 00:08:15,960 Speaker 3: there was still money left over. The money was then 130 00:08:16,080 --> 00:08:19,920 Speaker 3: used to make instruments for worship and sacrifice. All these 131 00:08:19,960 --> 00:08:25,160 Speaker 3: things Joash did under the loving influence of Jehoiada the priest. However, 132 00:08:25,840 --> 00:08:29,080 Speaker 3: time is the great thief. It takes even the best 133 00:08:29,120 --> 00:08:34,160 Speaker 3: of men. After one hundred thirty years of faithfully guiding, loving, 134 00:08:34,240 --> 00:08:38,040 Speaker 3: and serving the people of Judah, Jehoyada passed to be 135 00:08:38,160 --> 00:08:41,280 Speaker 3: with his God. He was buried among the kings in 136 00:08:41,320 --> 00:08:44,560 Speaker 3: the city of David. For Jehoyadah was considered a king 137 00:08:44,640 --> 00:08:47,600 Speaker 3: in his own right. Without him, joe Ash would have 138 00:08:47,600 --> 00:08:52,880 Speaker 3: been lost. The trumpets sounded throughout the entire city of Jerusalem. 139 00:08:53,160 --> 00:08:56,240 Speaker 3: The sun began its descent, and the sky was painted 140 00:08:56,240 --> 00:08:59,839 Speaker 3: a deep red. The whole nation mourned as Jehoyida was 141 00:09:00,080 --> 00:09:04,319 Speaker 3: buried into the ground. Joash suaked in the corner of 142 00:09:04,360 --> 00:09:07,960 Speaker 3: his palace. He sat in silence, mourning over the death 143 00:09:08,000 --> 00:09:10,079 Speaker 3: of his teacher, friend, and father. 144 00:09:10,920 --> 00:09:11,880 Speaker 2: There was a. 145 00:09:11,880 --> 00:09:15,199 Speaker 3: Dormant darkness in his heart that had been kept down 146 00:09:15,240 --> 00:09:16,680 Speaker 3: by Jehoyada's kindness. 147 00:09:17,400 --> 00:09:18,000 Speaker 1: He felt it. 148 00:09:18,000 --> 00:09:22,840 Speaker 3: Creeping in slowly. He felt anger, he felt pride. The 149 00:09:22,920 --> 00:09:27,240 Speaker 3: king had never been without the counsel of Jehoyida. Seeing 150 00:09:27,280 --> 00:09:30,520 Speaker 3: this void as an opportunity, a few of Judah's elders 151 00:09:30,559 --> 00:09:33,240 Speaker 3: came to him and bowed. They implored of the king 152 00:09:33,320 --> 00:09:37,520 Speaker 3: to take their advice. They painted themselves as Jehoiada's replacements. 153 00:09:38,040 --> 00:09:42,520 Speaker 3: They took advantage of Joash's vulnerable and malleable mind. Together 154 00:09:42,600 --> 00:09:46,480 Speaker 3: they conspired to abandon the Temple of God. They erected 155 00:09:46,520 --> 00:09:50,800 Speaker 3: monuments and polls to the pagan God Asherah, the depraved 156 00:09:50,880 --> 00:09:55,199 Speaker 3: idle worship, once eradicated, had resurfaced, and the people of 157 00:09:55,320 --> 00:10:02,439 Speaker 3: Judah suffered. As a result. Selfishness replaced generosity, lewdness replaced kindness, 158 00:10:03,200 --> 00:10:08,600 Speaker 3: anger replaced hope. All began to crumble. The Lord rumbled 159 00:10:08,640 --> 00:10:12,360 Speaker 3: with divine anger against joe Ash and his leaders. He 160 00:10:12,480 --> 00:10:16,440 Speaker 3: watched as all the progress established by Jehoiada blew away 161 00:10:16,600 --> 00:10:19,920 Speaker 3: like sand in a storm. The Lord sent a messenger 162 00:10:20,000 --> 00:10:22,920 Speaker 3: to joe Ash to counsel him back to holiness. To 163 00:10:23,000 --> 00:10:28,200 Speaker 3: do this, he sent Jehoyda's son, Zechariah. Zechariah stood firm 164 00:10:28,280 --> 00:10:32,000 Speaker 3: against joe Ash and his corrupt elders. He warned them 165 00:10:32,040 --> 00:10:34,360 Speaker 3: of what would happen if they continued to muddy their 166 00:10:34,400 --> 00:10:37,839 Speaker 3: minds with idolatry. Why do you stray from the Lord? 167 00:10:38,000 --> 00:10:41,360 Speaker 3: He asked? Were you not prospering when under his guidance? 168 00:10:41,840 --> 00:10:45,480 Speaker 3: Were you not loved and successful while worshiping him? Was 169 00:10:45,600 --> 00:10:50,160 Speaker 3: Judah not better off? Zechariah's words were true, but fell 170 00:10:50,200 --> 00:10:54,160 Speaker 3: on deaf ears. He saw Joasher's eyes. They were full 171 00:10:54,200 --> 00:10:56,760 Speaker 3: of hurt and pain. They were the eyes of a 172 00:10:56,760 --> 00:10:59,120 Speaker 3: man who had given in to the corruption in his 173 00:10:59,200 --> 00:11:04,920 Speaker 3: own heart. Zechariah sighed. He knew what was about to happen. However, 174 00:11:04,960 --> 00:11:07,840 Speaker 3: the Lord gave him boldness to say one final thing. 175 00:11:08,920 --> 00:11:14,120 Speaker 3: If you abandon the Lord, surely you will feel the consequences. 176 00:11:14,880 --> 00:11:17,800 Speaker 3: With those words, Zechariah was struck on the jaw by 177 00:11:17,840 --> 00:11:21,720 Speaker 3: the King's guard. He fell to the floor. Immediately, he 178 00:11:21,840 --> 00:11:24,600 Speaker 3: felt a flurry of kicks on his ribs and stomach. 179 00:11:25,160 --> 00:11:27,960 Speaker 3: Zechariah moaned in pain. As he rose to his feet, 180 00:11:28,559 --> 00:11:33,480 Speaker 3: he looked at Joash again. Resolute evil beamed from Joash's eyes. 181 00:11:34,360 --> 00:11:38,880 Speaker 3: Stone him, the king said, with a cold tone. Zechariah 182 00:11:39,040 --> 00:11:41,880 Speaker 3: was dragged out into the courtyard. He was tied to 183 00:11:41,920 --> 00:11:46,040 Speaker 3: a beam, facing an angry mob of Asherah worshippers. He 184 00:11:46,160 --> 00:11:49,120 Speaker 3: watched their hands caress the stones that would be thrown 185 00:11:49,120 --> 00:11:52,880 Speaker 3: at him. This was how the king repaid Jehoida by 186 00:11:52,960 --> 00:11:57,120 Speaker 3: killing his son. Zechariah sighed and lifted his eyes to heaven. 187 00:11:57,760 --> 00:12:00,480 Speaker 3: May you see what they are doing. Lord, May you 188 00:12:00,559 --> 00:12:04,120 Speaker 3: deal with them as you please. And with those final words, 189 00:12:04,480 --> 00:12:08,240 Speaker 3: Zechariah felt the onslaught of stones crush his bones and face. 190 00:12:09,200 --> 00:12:12,080 Speaker 3: Moments later, the bloodied corpse of the prophet was hanging 191 00:12:12,080 --> 00:12:15,000 Speaker 3: from the beam. His lifeless and mangled body was an 192 00:12:15,040 --> 00:12:19,520 Speaker 3: image of Judah's collective heart. Springtime came and the nation 193 00:12:19,640 --> 00:12:23,480 Speaker 3: of Judah was vulnerable. The Arramian army marched in with 194 00:12:23,559 --> 00:12:27,520 Speaker 3: a small army to plunder the outside towns. They invaded 195 00:12:27,559 --> 00:12:31,040 Speaker 3: with force and killed every leader that rode out against them. 196 00:12:31,240 --> 00:12:33,800 Speaker 3: Although their army was small, they were able to take 197 00:12:33,920 --> 00:12:38,079 Speaker 3: large portions of land. The armies of Judah were uninspired 198 00:12:38,120 --> 00:12:42,080 Speaker 3: and ill prepared under their selfish King Joash rode against 199 00:12:42,120 --> 00:12:45,320 Speaker 3: the Aramians. He flew in with his horse and sword, 200 00:12:45,440 --> 00:12:48,960 Speaker 3: expecting to save his nation from evil. However, he was 201 00:12:49,040 --> 00:12:52,880 Speaker 3: delivered a harsh blow and brutally wounded. Before they could 202 00:12:53,000 --> 00:12:56,000 Speaker 3: kill him, King joe Ash was taken back to Jerusalem 203 00:12:56,120 --> 00:13:00,080 Speaker 3: to heal. Joash slept in his bed. He coughed and 204 00:13:00,120 --> 00:13:03,440 Speaker 3: winced at his fresh wound. It was a moonless night, 205 00:13:03,720 --> 00:13:07,440 Speaker 3: and now shadows were cast in joe Ash's room. Leaders 206 00:13:07,440 --> 00:13:09,600 Speaker 3: that were loyal to God had crept in the middle 207 00:13:09,600 --> 00:13:12,000 Speaker 3: of the night and killed the king in his sleep. 208 00:13:12,920 --> 00:13:16,200 Speaker 3: Thus ended the forty year reign of joe Ash. His 209 00:13:16,320 --> 00:13:19,679 Speaker 3: life was a true tragedy. All the good he accomplished 210 00:13:19,720 --> 00:13:22,199 Speaker 3: in his life was blotted out by a few years 211 00:13:22,240 --> 00:13:25,760 Speaker 3: of corruption. Joe Ash serves as an example that past 212 00:13:25,880 --> 00:13:29,600 Speaker 3: good does not outweigh present failure. To be known and 213 00:13:29,679 --> 00:13:33,200 Speaker 3: remembered as a true leader, one must cling to God 214 00:13:33,400 --> 00:13:36,160 Speaker 3: in all seasons of life. 215 00:13:40,240 --> 00:13:43,080 Speaker 4: As we began today's reading, Judah has a new king, 216 00:13:43,320 --> 00:13:47,440 Speaker 4: the young boy joe Ash. At just seven, he was 217 00:13:47,480 --> 00:13:50,400 Speaker 4: too young to bear the burden of leadership on his own, 218 00:13:51,000 --> 00:13:54,040 Speaker 4: so Jehoidah, who had cared for him while he hid 219 00:13:54,040 --> 00:13:57,440 Speaker 4: from his wicked grandmother at Elias, served as the boy's 220 00:13:57,480 --> 00:14:01,360 Speaker 4: teacher and counselor until he came of age. Jehoidah was 221 00:14:01,400 --> 00:14:04,559 Speaker 4: an honorable man who sought God and served with godly wisdom. 222 00:14:05,000 --> 00:14:07,800 Speaker 4: He instructed joe Ash in God's ways from an early 223 00:14:07,840 --> 00:14:11,480 Speaker 4: age until the young king came of age. It's a 224 00:14:11,520 --> 00:14:15,360 Speaker 4: reminder of us today that young people need godly leadership 225 00:14:15,400 --> 00:14:19,800 Speaker 4: and spiritual mentors in their lives, someone whose example can 226 00:14:19,840 --> 00:14:24,080 Speaker 4: provide wise counsel. This, of course, begins with parents and 227 00:14:24,160 --> 00:14:27,760 Speaker 4: pastors and others who have the responsibility to teach the young. 228 00:14:29,040 --> 00:14:31,640 Speaker 4: Because Jehoidah led the young king and taught him to 229 00:14:31,680 --> 00:14:34,400 Speaker 4: fear the Lord, God blessed the reign of joe Ash 230 00:14:34,520 --> 00:14:38,120 Speaker 4: as he matured when Joash saw the temple in disrepair, 231 00:14:38,560 --> 00:14:42,240 Speaker 4: he was moved to restore God's house, so he ordered 232 00:14:42,240 --> 00:14:44,600 Speaker 4: the priest to take up the taxes and offerings from 233 00:14:44,640 --> 00:14:47,840 Speaker 4: the people to fund the restoration of the temple. It 234 00:14:47,920 --> 00:14:51,040 Speaker 4: was an act of worship, recognizing that God's House was 235 00:14:51,080 --> 00:14:53,520 Speaker 4: a signed to the people of God's presence, and it 236 00:14:53,600 --> 00:14:56,040 Speaker 4: was also a sign to God that his people's hearts 237 00:14:56,040 --> 00:14:59,280 Speaker 4: were turned to him. The king was sure that the 238 00:14:59,320 --> 00:15:01,400 Speaker 4: people would be eager to give their offerings to the 239 00:15:01,400 --> 00:15:05,040 Speaker 4: Lord to accomplish this, but after years of Athaliah's rule 240 00:15:05,160 --> 00:15:09,280 Speaker 4: and her dishonest dealings with money, the people were reluctant 241 00:15:09,320 --> 00:15:13,160 Speaker 4: to contribute. They needed to learn to trust their leaders, 242 00:15:13,280 --> 00:15:17,440 Speaker 4: both the king and the priest. It is almost impossible 243 00:15:17,800 --> 00:15:20,680 Speaker 4: for a leader to inspire others and lead them when 244 00:15:20,720 --> 00:15:23,360 Speaker 4: there is a lack of trust. So joe Ash had 245 00:15:23,440 --> 00:15:26,160 Speaker 4: Jehoidah construct a chess with a hole in the top, 246 00:15:26,720 --> 00:15:29,240 Speaker 4: and whenever money was removed from the chest, there was 247 00:15:29,280 --> 00:15:33,040 Speaker 4: an open and transparent accounting of the funds. The people 248 00:15:33,120 --> 00:15:37,440 Speaker 4: then gave freely and the temple was restored. This was 249 00:15:37,480 --> 00:15:40,760 Speaker 4: not only a physical act of restoration and cleansing, but 250 00:15:40,840 --> 00:15:44,440 Speaker 4: a symbolic act that demonstrated the changed hearts of God's 251 00:15:44,480 --> 00:15:50,160 Speaker 4: people and their generosity. After years of faithful service, Jehoedah 252 00:15:50,360 --> 00:15:52,640 Speaker 4: left his earthly life to be with his heavenly father. 253 00:15:53,240 --> 00:15:55,920 Speaker 4: He served God and the King of Judah with honor, integrity, 254 00:15:55,960 --> 00:15:59,200 Speaker 4: and wisdom. Joe Ash had been given a strong example 255 00:15:59,240 --> 00:16:04,520 Speaker 4: from this godly man. Sadly, what followed Jehoidah's death is 256 00:16:04,560 --> 00:16:07,320 Speaker 4: an example of how quickly darkness can take over our 257 00:16:07,360 --> 00:16:11,200 Speaker 4: hearts when we lose focus. In Second Chronicles twenty four, 258 00:16:11,320 --> 00:16:15,520 Speaker 4: seventeen and eighteen we read this now, after the death 259 00:16:15,520 --> 00:16:18,720 Speaker 4: of Jehoidah, the princes of Judah came and paid homage 260 00:16:18,720 --> 00:16:22,160 Speaker 4: to the King. Then the King listened to them and 261 00:16:22,280 --> 00:16:25,320 Speaker 4: abandon the house of the Lord, the God of their fathers, 262 00:16:25,400 --> 00:16:30,240 Speaker 4: and serve the Asherim and the idols. How sad that 263 00:16:30,280 --> 00:16:33,880 Speaker 4: despite years under his wise mentor, joe Ash failed to 264 00:16:33,920 --> 00:16:38,240 Speaker 4: remember the Lord. This serves as a vivid reminder of 265 00:16:38,320 --> 00:16:41,520 Speaker 4: us today that though we are secure in our salvation 266 00:16:41,680 --> 00:16:46,160 Speaker 4: through Christ, it is possible to slip into sinful behavior 267 00:16:46,320 --> 00:16:50,120 Speaker 4: and live as though we are not honoring God when 268 00:16:50,160 --> 00:16:52,280 Speaker 4: we fail to keep our eyes on the Lord and 269 00:16:52,440 --> 00:16:55,400 Speaker 4: lean on his spirit to enable us. When we begin 270 00:16:55,520 --> 00:16:57,880 Speaker 4: listening to the wisdom of this world or to those 271 00:16:57,880 --> 00:17:01,440 Speaker 4: who represent the world, Darkness, like a lion, is waiting 272 00:17:01,480 --> 00:17:04,840 Speaker 4: to devour us. God was angry with the king and 273 00:17:04,880 --> 00:17:09,520 Speaker 4: sent a message through Zachariah, the son of Joash's mentor Jehodah. 274 00:17:09,880 --> 00:17:13,960 Speaker 4: Because he had abandoned God, God would turn away from him. 275 00:17:14,480 --> 00:17:17,480 Speaker 4: There was still time for repentance. If joe Ash had 276 00:17:17,480 --> 00:17:20,040 Speaker 4: heard these words and turned from his ways, history would 277 00:17:20,040 --> 00:17:23,679 Speaker 4: remember him differently. Instead, he closed his ears and his 278 00:17:23,720 --> 00:17:27,160 Speaker 4: heart to God, and he had Zachariah the prophet stoned 279 00:17:27,160 --> 00:17:30,960 Speaker 4: to death. The king's heart has now turned to darkness, 280 00:17:31,240 --> 00:17:34,480 Speaker 4: and Judah was with him. The nation was attacked by 281 00:17:34,520 --> 00:17:38,680 Speaker 4: the Aramians, and joe Ash suffered a devastating wound. He 282 00:17:38,720 --> 00:17:40,920 Speaker 4: made it home, only to be killed by a God 283 00:17:40,960 --> 00:17:43,720 Speaker 4: fearing man who desired to see Judah returned to the Lord, 284 00:17:44,760 --> 00:17:47,520 Speaker 4: and so ended the tragic life of a king who 285 00:17:47,600 --> 00:17:51,679 Speaker 4: began so well but ended so poorly. May his life 286 00:17:51,720 --> 00:17:54,800 Speaker 4: and his tragic death serve as a lesson to us today. 287 00:17:56,160 --> 00:18:00,200 Speaker 4: Dear God, thank you for your word. Always, thank you 288 00:18:00,280 --> 00:18:02,280 Speaker 4: for the truth of it, even when it is hard. 289 00:18:02,359 --> 00:18:02,679 Speaker 1: Truth. 290 00:18:03,760 --> 00:18:06,320 Speaker 4: Lord, we pledge that we will be faithful to you. 291 00:18:07,080 --> 00:18:09,480 Speaker 4: We're asking that your spirit would fill us and use 292 00:18:09,560 --> 00:18:12,520 Speaker 4: us all the days of our lives, that you would 293 00:18:12,520 --> 00:18:15,680 Speaker 4: guide us and guard us and protect us and provide 294 00:18:15,680 --> 00:18:18,520 Speaker 4: everything that we need to live in the fear of 295 00:18:18,560 --> 00:18:21,760 Speaker 4: the Lord always. And we pray this in the name 296 00:18:21,800 --> 00:18:26,399 Speaker 4: of Jesus. Amen. Thank you for listening to today's Bible 297 00:18:26,440 --> 00:18:29,760 Speaker 4: in a Year podcast. I'm Jack Graham from Dallas, Texas. 298 00:18:30,119 --> 00:18:33,640 Speaker 4: Download thepray dot com app and make prayer and Bible 299 00:18:33,680 --> 00:18:38,160 Speaker 4: study a priority in your life. If you enjoyed this podcast, 300 00:18:38,720 --> 00:18:41,280 Speaker 4: share it with someone you love, share it with a friend, 301 00:18:41,800 --> 00:18:44,560 Speaker 4: pass it on because this podcast can make a huge 302 00:18:44,600 --> 00:18:48,280 Speaker 4: difference in people's lives. I'm hearing wonderful stories of the 303 00:18:48,400 --> 00:18:51,919 Speaker 4: impact of God's Word as a result of listening to 304 00:18:52,400 --> 00:18:56,320 Speaker 4: Bible in a Year. And if you want more biblical resources, 305 00:18:56,920 --> 00:18:59,879 Speaker 4: resources from God's Word that will enable you and assist 306 00:18:59,960 --> 00:19:02,439 Speaker 4: you in your walk with God, then be sure to 307 00:19:02,600 --> 00:19:07,320 Speaker 4: visit Jack Graham dot org. That's Jack Graham dot org. 308 00:19:07,680 --> 00:19:08,359 Speaker 4: God bless you.