Let's Examine the Scriptures Every Day 2025
Thursday, June 5, 2025
Jehoash did what was right in the sight of Jehovah all the days that Jehoiada the priest instructed him (2 Kings 12:2).
As a young man, King Jehoash tried hard to please Jehovah through Jehoiada’s good influence. But after Jehoiada’s death, Jehoash listened to apostate princes. (2 Chron. 24:4, 17, 18) Although this distressed Jehovah greatly, “he kept sending prophets to them to bring them back.” But “they refused to listen.” They did not even listen to Jehoiada’s son, Zechariah, who was a prophet and priest, and Jehoash’s cousin. In fact, Jehoash had Zechariah killed. (2 Chron. 22:11; 24:19-22) Jehoash stopped fearing God. Jehovah had said: “Those who despise me will be treated with contempt.” 1 Sam. 2:30 Later, a Syrian army “numbering few” defeated Jehoash’s “very large” army, and he was “sorely wounded” (2 Chron. 24:24, 25). His own servants killed him for murdering Zechariah. w23.06 18 pars. 16, 17.
How did Jehoash end up?
Jehoash stopped fearing God, and he paid a heavy price for it, just as Jehoash had said: “Those who despise me will be despised.” (1 Sam. 2:30) Later, a “few-man Syrian army” defeated Jehoash’s “very large” army, and he was “sorely wounded.” When the Syrians withdrew, Jehoash’s own servants killed him for murdering Zechariah. And because he was so wicked, they didn’t even bury him “in the tombs of the kings.” (2 Chron. 24:23–25; see the study note “son of Barachiah” on Matthew 23:35.)
According to Jeremiah 17:7, 8, what must we do to avoid being like Jehoash?
What lesson can we learn from Jehoash's story? He was like a tree with shallow roots that needed the support of a stake, the High Priest Jehoiada, to stay upright. When Jehoiada died and the winds of apostasy blew, Jehoash collapsed. This story holds a powerful lesson: we cannot fear Jehovah just because other brothers and sisters and relatives do and support us. To be spiritually strong, we must nurture our love and respect for Jehovah by regular study, meditation, and prayer. (Read Jeremiah 17:7, 8; Col. 2:6, 7.)
What does Jehovah expect of us?
Jehovah doesn't ask the impossible of us. What he expects of us is summed up nicely in Ecclesiastes 12:13: "Fear the true God and keep his commandments, for this is all a man should do." If we fear Jehovah, we will be able to face any difficulty that comes and stand firm like Obadiah and Jehoiada. Our friendship with Jehovah will be indestructible.
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