2 Kings 13.
Of Jehoahaz, son of the energetic Jehu who executed God’s judgments upon others more wicked than himself, but cared nothing for Him, we learn that he reigned seventeen years and did evil in the sight of the Lord, following the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin; he departed not there from.
What a record for a man’s life! Summing it all up in a few words is this account of the career of Jehoahaz, and many another has a record no better.
Following in the ways of his predecessors, looking no higher for an example than to his own desires, and to the habits of others—sinners far from God, without thought of eternity—is this also your record, my reader? God knows your every thought, your whole course through life, and His judgment will not err.
The Israelites were delivered into the hands of Hazael and his son Benhadad, kings of Syria, because of their departure from God, and were made to suffer many days. And when Jehoahaz asked God, for Whom he at heart cared naught at all, yet knew His power, God, in pity because of their sufferings, gave Israel a saviour, so that they went out from under the hand of the Syrians. Nevertheless, they departed not from the sins of the house of Jeroboam. How long would God forbear? The day of reckoning was rapidly approaching.
Joash, or Jehoash, grandson of Jehu, did as his father. Remember, that these kings, and the people over whom they ruled, were not as the heathen; they were the descendants of that Abraham who walked before God, the father of the faithful; their ancestors had been brought out of the misery of Egyptian slavery into this land; by God’s power they had become its possessors as city after city and stronghold after stronghold was taken. Great were their blessings, and their privileges; they had the law of God, the presence of God was among them, yet they turned to worshiping the host of heaven.
Jehoash fought with and defeated the king of Judah who turned to idolatry (2 Chronicles 25:14-2414Now it came to pass, after that Amaziah was come from the slaughter of the Edomites, that he brought the gods of the children of Seir, and set them up to be his gods, and bowed down himself before them, and burned incense unto them. 15Wherefore the anger of the Lord was kindled against Amaziah, and he sent unto him a prophet, which said unto him, Why hast thou sought after the gods of the people, which could not deliver their own people out of thine hand? 16And it came to pass, as he talked with him, that the king said unto him, Art thou made of the king's counsel? forbear; why shouldest thou be smitten? Then the prophet forbare, and said, I know that God hath determined to destroy thee, because thou hast done this, and hast not hearkened unto my counsel. 17Then Amaziah king of Judah took advice, and sent to Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, the son of Jehu, king of Israel, saying, Come, let us see one another in the face. 18And Joash king of Israel sent to Amaziah king of Judah, saying, The thistle that was in Lebanon sent to the cedar that was in Lebanon, saying, Give thy daughter to my son to wife: and there passed by a wild beast that was in Lebanon, and trode down the thistle. 19Thou sayest, Lo, thou hast smitten the Edomites; and thine heart lifteth thee up to boast: abide now at home; why shouldest thou meddle to thine hurt, that thou shouldest fall, even thou, and Judah with thee? 20But Amaziah would not hear; for it came of God, that he might deliver them into the hand of their enemies, because they sought after the gods of Edom. 21So Joash the king of Israel went up; and they saw one another in the face, both he and Amaziah king of Judah, at Beth-shemesh, which belongeth to Judah. 22And Judah was put to the worse before Israel, and they fled every man to his tent. 23And Joash the king of Israel took Amaziah king of Judah, the son of Joash, the son of Jehoahaz, at Beth-shemesh, and brought him to Jerusalem, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem from the gate of Ephraim to the corner gate, four hundred cubits. 24And he took all the gold and the silver, and all the vessels that were found in the house of God with Obed-edom, and the treasures of the king's house, the hostages also, and returned to Samaria. (2 Chronicles 25:14‑24)), and when he died, a second Jeroboam became king of Israel. Verses 14-19, 22-25 give details of earlier days.
It is remarkable the way the ungodly kings of Israel knew the reality of the power of God, yet did not trust in Him. Joash, or Jehoash, wept at the prospect of the death of Elisha, and the prophet bade him shoot an arrow, then strike the bundle of arrows on the ground, showing him that he lacked the energy to destroy the power of the northern enemy, yet would be allowed to smite the Syrians.
In verses 20, 21 is a picture of what will happen to Israel in a day yet future. The true Prophet, while apparently lost to the nation, is still the Vessel and Guardian of all their hopes, and He will yet restore them to life in a way both unexpected and powerful.
ML 12/25/1927