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2 Chronicles 24 Joash Repairs the Temple

1 Joash Repairs the Temple
Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years. His mother’s name was Zibiah; she was from Beersheba.

2 Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years of Jehoiada the priest.

3 Jehoiada chose two wives for him, and he had sons and daughters.

4 Some time later Joash decided to restore the temple of the Lord.

5 He called together the priests and Levites and said to them, “Go to the towns of Judah and collect the money due annually from all Israel, to repair the temple of your God. Do it now.” But the Levites did not act at once.

6 Therefore the king summoned Jehoiada the chief priest and said to him, “Why haven’t you required the Levites to bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax imposed by Moses the servant of the Lord and by the assembly of Israel for the Tent of the Testimony?”

7 Now the sons of that wicked woman Athaliah had broken into the temple of God and had used even its sacred objects for the Baals.

8 At the king’s command, a chest was made and placed outside, at the gate of the temple of the Lord.

9 A proclamation was then issued in Judah and Jerusalem that they should bring to the Lord the tax that Moses the servant of God had required of Israel in the desert.

10 All the officials and all the people brought their contributions gladly, dropping them into the chest until it was full.

11 Whenever the chest was brought in by the Levites to the king’s officials and they saw that there was a large amount of money, the royal secretary and the officer of the chief priest would come and empty the chest and carry it back to its place. They did this regularly and collected a great amount of money.

12 The king and Jehoiada gave it to the men who carried out the work required for the temple of the Lord. They hired masons and carpenters to restore the Lord’s temple, and also workers in iron and bronze to repair the temple.

13 The men in charge of the work were diligent, and the repairs progressed under them. They rebuilt the temple of God according to its original design and reinforced it.

14 When they had finished, they brought the rest of the money to the king and Jehoiada, and with it were made articles for the Lord’s temple: articles for the service and for the burnt offerings, and also dishes and other objects of gold and silver. As long as Jehoiada lived, burnt offerings were presented continually in the temple of the Lord.

15 Now Jehoiada was old and full of years, and he died at the age of a hundred and thirty.

16 He was buried with the kings in the City of David, because of the good he had done in Israel for God and his temple.

17 The Wickedness of Joash
After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them.

18 They abandoned the temple of the Lord, the God of their fathers, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols. Because of their guilt, God’s anger came upon Judah and Jerusalem.

19 Although the Lord sent prophets to the people to bring them back to him, and though they testified against them, they would not listen.

20 Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you disobey the Lord’s commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the Lord, he has forsaken you.’”

21 But they plotted against him, and by order of the king they stoned him to death in the courtyard of the Lord’s temple.

22 King Joash did not remember the kindness Zechariah’s father Jehoiada had shown him but killed his son, who said as he lay dying, “May the Lord see this and call you to account.”

23 At the turn of the year, the army of Aram marched against Joash; it invaded Judah and Jerusalem and killed all the leaders of the people. They sent all the plunder to their king in Damascus.

24 Although the Aramean army had come with only a few men, the Lord delivered into their hands a much larger army. Because Judah had forsaken the Lord, the God of their fathers, judgment was executed on Joash.

25 When the Arameans withdrew, they left Joash severely wounded. His officials conspired against him for murdering the son of Jehoiada the priest, and they killed him in his bed. So he died and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings.

26 Those who conspired against him were Zabad, son of Shimeath an Ammonite woman, and Jehozabad, son of Shimrith a Moabite woman.

27 The account of his sons, the many prophecies about him, and the record of the restoration of the temple of God are written in the annotations on the book of the kings. And Amaziah his son succeeded him as king.

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Analysis of 2 Chronicles Chapter 24

Introduction

2 Chronicles Chapter 24 provides a detailed narrative about the reign of King Joash of Judah. Joash, who ascended to the throne at a young age, was heavily influenced by the high priest Jehoiada. The chapter focuses on Joash’s initial faithfulness to God under Jehoiada’s guidance, his endeavors to repair the Temple, and eventually his tragic downfall after Jehoiada’s death. This analysis will explore the key themes, significant events, and the theological implications present in this chapter.

The Reign of Joash and the Influence of Jehoiada (Verses 1-3)

The chapter begins by noting that Joash was only seven years old when he began to reign, and he ruled for 40 years in Jerusalem. He was the son of Zibiah from Beersheba. The opening verses highlight that Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest.

This sets the stage for understanding the duality of Joash’s reign. His righteous actions are attributed to the guidance and mentorship of Jehoiada. Jehoiada’s influence is significant because it shows how spiritual leadership can shape the actions of political leaders, a recurring theme in the Deuteronomistic history.

The text also mentions that Jehoiada took two wives for Joash, and he had sons and daughters. This detail, while seemingly minor, underscores the importance of lineage and the continuation of the Davidic line, which is a central concern in the books of Chronicles.

The Restoration of the Temple (Verses 4-14)

One of the most notable achievements of Joash’s reign was his project to restore the Temple. The Temple, designed by Solomon, had fallen into disrepair due to neglect and the idolatrous practices of previous generations. Joash’s commitment to repairing the Temple is a significant act of religious and national renewal.

Joash initially commands the Levites to collect money from all Israel to fund the repairs. However, the Levites fail to act promptly. This delay prompts Joash to address the issue directly with Jehoiada. He questions why the Levites have not collected the money needed for the Temple repairs. This interaction highlights Joash’s active role in ensuring that his orders are carried out, showing his commitment to the project.

In response, a chest is placed outside the gate of the Temple, and a public proclamation is made in Judah and Jerusalem to bring the tax levied by Moses for the Tent of Meeting. This act of placing the chest signifies transparency and public accountability. The people respond positively, bringing abundant freewill offerings. The collection and subsequent repair work are detailed comprehensively, emphasizing the communal effort and dedication to restoring the sanctity of the Temple.

The successful Temple restoration underlines a key theme: the importance of worship and maintaining sacred spaces as central to the community’s spiritual health. It also reflects the joy and unity of the people when they engage in collective efforts for the divine cause.

The Death of Jehoiada and Joash’s Unfaithfulness (Verses 15-22)

After detailing the restoration efforts, the narrative shifts to a pivotal moment: the death of Jehoiada. Jehoiada lived to an old age, 130 years, and was buried with honor among the kings in the City of David due to the good he had done for Israel, particularly in relation to God and the Temple.

Following Jehoiada’s death, Joash’s reign takes a tragic turn. The narrative notes that the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and they abandoned the house of the LORD, turning to idolatry. This sudden shift indicates that Joash’s faithfulness was heavily reliant on Jehoiada’s guidance. Without his spiritual advisor, Joash is easily swayed by his officials.

God sends prophets to warn the people and call them back to Him, but they are not heeded. Notably, Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, stands up against the apostasy, declaring that by forsaking the LORD, they have also forsaken themselves. Tragically, Joash orders Zechariah to be stoned to death in the Temple courts, directly contradicting the respect and honor Joash showed Jehoiada and the Temple earlier in his reign.

Zechariah’s dying words, “May the LORD see this and call you to account,” foreshadow the impending judgment upon Joash and his kingdom. This act of murdering a prophet within the sacred space of the Temple signifies a profound moral and spiritual decline under Joash’s leadership.

Divine Retribution and Joash’s Fall (Verses 23-27)

The chapter then turns to the consequences of Joash’s unfaithfulness. In the spring, the army of Aram invades Judah and Jerusalem, destroying all the leaders of the people and sending the plunder to the king of Damascus. The Chronicler emphasizes that the Aramean army was small, yet they defeated a much larger Judean force because the LORD delivered Judah into their hands as punishment for their abandonment of Him.

Joash is wounded in the invasion, and in his weakened state, he is assassinated by his own officials, who conspire against him. The assassination is portrayed as divine retribution for his sins, particularly the murder of Zechariah. The officials Jozabad and Jehozabad are named, underscoring that internal treachery, rather than external forces, brings about Joash’s demise.

Joash is buried in the City of David but not in the tombs of the kings, which signifies his disgrace and the dishonoring of his legacy due to his unfaithfulness. His son Amaziah succeeds him, and the chapter concludes by listing the sources of further information about his reign, including the commentary of the book of the kings.

Theological Implications

2 Chronicles Chapter 24 offers several important theological insights:

  • The Influence of Spiritual Leadership: Joash’s initial righteousness is directly linked to Jehoiada’s influence. This underscores the significant role that spiritual leaders play in guiding and maintaining the faithfulness of political leaders and the nation. It shows the vital need for godly mentorship and leadership.
  • The Importance of Temple Worship: The restoration of the Temple highlights the centrality of worship and sacred spaces in maintaining the spiritual health of the community. It also demonstrates how communal contributions and unity in divine tasks lead to collective joy and renewal.
  • The Consequences of Apostasy: The narrative vividly portrays the dangers of abandoning God, showing a direct connection between spiritual unfaithfulness and national disaster. Joash’s turn to idolatry leads to personal and national ruin, illustrating a key Deuteronomistic principle: faithfulness to God brings blessing, while unfaithfulness brings judgment.
  • Prophetic Warning and Martyrdom: Zechariah’s ministry and martyrdom demonstrate the prophetic role in calling the people back to God and the risk that comes with it. His courage in the face of opposition and his tragic end reinforce the cost of prophetic truth-telling.
  • Divine Justice: The chapter underscores that God will not turn a blind eye to injustice and unfaithfulness. The downfall of Joash and the defeat of Judah by a smaller army illustrate that God’s justice will prevail, and leaders are held accountable for their actions.

Conclusion

2 Chronicles Chapter 24 is a rich and complex narrative that offers valuable lessons for both leaders and communities of faith. It highlights the essential role of godly leadership, the significance of worship, and the dire consequences of turning away from God. Joash’s tragic end serves as a solemn reminder of the necessity of steadfast faithfulness and the inevitable divine retribution for apostasy and injustice.

This chapter encourages readers to reflect on their own spiritual journeys, the integrity of their leaders, and the communal efforts to uphold the sanctity of worship and devotion to God. It resonates with timeless truths about the importance of mentorship, community, and unwavering dedication to righteous living.