2 Chronicles 24:2 And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.
The story of Joash, the young king of Judah, is one of promise, protection, and eventually, a tragic end. His journey to the throne was paved with challenges, yet under the guidance of his uncle Jehoiada, he flourished for a time.
Joash didn’t have an easy path to the throne. As a baby, he was hidden in the temple for six years to escape the wrath of his wicked grandmother, Athaliah, who sought to destroy the royal lineage. With the help of the priest Jehoiada, Joash was preserved and eventually anointed as king when he was only seven years old. Although he was young, his reign began with a great advantage—he was under the influence of his uncle, a godly mentor who guided him in the ways of the Lord.
With Jehoiada at his side, Joash learned more than just the rules of governance; he learned how to act with dignity and purpose. Jehoiada taught him how to carry himself, how to dress, how to command respect, and, most importantly, how to worship and honor God. Joash became known for restoring the temple and encouraging the people to serve God again. As long as Jehoiada was alive, Joash walked in a godly manner and sought the right things for his kingdom.
However, Joash’s life serves as a cautionary tale, showing us the consequences of being a follower without ever learning to lead. In 2 Chronicles 24, we uncover the rise, influence, and downfall of a king who failed to develop a heart of true leadership.
In verse 17, we read that everything changed when Jehoiada passed away. With the death of his uncle, Joash lost the strong, godly influence that had shaped his life. The princes of Judah, who were not godly, quickly took advantage of the king’s lack of discernment and maturity. They approached Joash with flattering words and soon swayed him away from the righteous path. Instead of leading the people toward God, Joash allowed the princes to lead him into idolatry.
Tragically, Joash’s inability to stand firm led to severe consequences for his people and his nation. The kingdom fell into idolatry, forsaking the God who had protected and preserved them. God’s anger was stirred, and He allowed judgment to come upon Judah. The very temple Joash had worked to restore fell into misuse, and the people’s hearts grew cold. Ultimately, Joash’s own life ended in betrayal, as his servants conspired against him and took his life in a tragic twist.
Joash’s story reminds us of the importance of developing our own walk with God and learning to lead ourselves. As young believers, it’s essential to follow godly examples and learn from those wiser than us. But eventually, there comes a time when we must make our own decisions and stand on our own convictions. Joash’s failure was that he never grew into a leader. He remained a follower, influenced by whoever was closest to him.
Joash’s life shows us the danger of relying solely on others for our direction. While it is good to learn from godly mentors, we must also learn to stand firm in our faith and convictions, regardless of who is around us. God calls each of us to be leaders in our own lives, to choose to follow Him above all else, and to make decisions that align with His Word. Let’s not fall into the trap of Joash, but instead seek to develop a heart that follows God, ready to lead in righteousness even when no one else stands with us.
