Joash put up with one mean grandma. You may come from a dysfunctional family, but it’s doubtful you come from a family as bad as Joash’s. His disturbed kinfolk also happened to be the royal family of Judah, so the entire nation suffered along with the young Joash. The royals in Judah spread the pain all around.
Joash’s father, Ahaziah, previously held the office of king. He was a lousy one as it turned out, and he lasted only a year on the throne before being murdered during an insurrection. Upon Ahaziah’s death his mother, Athaliah, seized power in brutal fashion. She destroyed the rest of the royal family and murdered all the princes in the kingdom. Not exactly the “bake you some cookies then read you a story” kind of grandmother, she was more like Joseph Stalin in your kitchen.
Targeted for murder like the rest of the royal heirs, Joash’s aunt rescued him and hid him in a tucked-away bedroom. Joash went into hiding as a one-year-old baby and lived the next six years in that room, evading sweet grandma Athaliah.
Can you imagine? Just like a fairy tale, the evil queen reigns while the true king remains hidden away, growing up in the temple of God. Evil personified, if Athaliah discovered Joash she would kill him without hesitation. During these days of hiding, the true hero of this story emerged. Jehoiada, a leading priest and the husband of the woman who rescued Joash, patiently waited to take action. We should all be so lucky to have friends as wise and faithful as Jehoiada and his wife.
All during the reign of Athaliah, Jehoiada delayed. He knew that the current situation was wrong and he suffered in silence as he served the malicious queen. But he could not address the situation until the boy king, Joash, grew older and the queen grew complacent. I’m guessing that he waited for other leaders of the nation to grow increasingly frustrated as well. Jehoiada guarded his secret, the little boy king, for six long years.
In year seven Jehoiada moved from silent observer to active revolutionary. Gathering a coalition of military and religious leaders, he led a coup to overturn the government. Jehoiada installed Joash as king and put the evil queen to death, ending her reign of terror. He set things right as he placed the true king on the throne. The scriptures tell us that all the people of the land rejoiced and the city was quiet after Athaliah had been put to death with the sword. (FYI, when people rejoice after your leadership reign is over, you were doing something wrong.) Then they all lived happily ever after.
Well, not quite. The people of Judah did live happily for many years, experiencing a time of prosperity and peace. For at least twenty-five years, Joash reigned as a good and wise king with Jehoiada at this side. Joash started a family. He restored the temple to its former glory and continually offered sacrifices to honor God. Under the leadership of Joash and his primary advisor, Jehoiada, the people flourished.
The value of mentors, of wise people around you, cannot be overstated. Leaders must surround themselves with good and wise people whenever possible. We need mentors who will tell us the truth and who will act when necessary. A worthy advisor helps you make good decisions and avoid mistakes. Sometimes a great mentor, as in this case, may save your life.
Jehoiada died old and full of years. Esteemed so highly for his service, Jehoiada received the ultimate privilege of burial with the kings in Jerusalem, an honor bestowed on only a few. Perhaps no one in the history of Judah and Israel served a king as wisely and as selflessly as Jehoiada did Joash.
Only upon the death of Jehoiada do we see the extent of his hand of wisdom upon the king. Shortly after Jehoiada passed, Joash abandoned the temple and turned to other gods, committing great evils in the eyes of the Lord. God sent Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, to warn the king of his fall from grace. Joash took Zechariah, the son of his mentor and protector, and stoned him to death. The writer of Chronicles tells us that King Joash did not remember the kindness Zechariah’s father, Jehoiada, had shown him. No kidding.
Joash flourished as king and led his nation well when a good man stood next to him. He followed God and the people prospered. When his wise mentor passed, Joash grew unhinged. He reverted to the leadership style of his grandmother and killed the son of his savior. A good guide, a wise voice in the ear of another person matters. It matters among royalty and among common folk. Crave wisdom. Seek it. Keep close to wise people. Allow them to mold you and move you to greater and higher places.
Stories with a twist fill the Bible. It’s one reason I love reading it so much. As it turns out, the Lord eventually pivoted on Joash. God allowed the nation’s enemies, the Arameans, to conquer Jerusalem. They killed the leaders and wounded Joash severely. After the enemy withdrew and while he still recovered from his wounds, Joash was assassinated in his bed, payback for murdering Zechariah. In a final indignity, now hated by the people of Judah, Joash was refused burial in the tombs of the kings. How far he fell. Jehoiada, the wise counselor, took the king’s place of honor in the royal cemetery.
Never overlook the fact that intelligent leaders listen to and apply input from discerning mentors. Our lives and the lives of those we love depend upon it.
From Seers, Sayers, Schemers & Saints: Lessons on Leadership from Overlooked Men and Women of the Bible
2 Chronicles 22-24 in week thirty of reading the Bible cover to cover
Photo by Xuan Nguyen
