2Ch 23:3 | KingComments | STEP | The history of Joash here is actually the history of Jehoiada. Jehoiada is the main character in this chapter. He must be over ninety years old here and a venerable appearance at his performance. When he dies, the appreciation for him turns out: he is buried among the kings ( ). “The seventh year” ( ) is the year after the six years mentioned in the last verse of the previous chapter ( ). Joash has been hidden in the temple for six years. The time of his public performance to accept his kingship has come. During his being hidden two women, Jehoshabeath and the nurse, took care of Joash. Now that he will publicly come forth as king, Jehoiada comes to the fore. Jehoiada is a careful man. He keeps the boy hidden until the time is ripe to show him. Before that time, he strengthens his position. He begins by involving in a covenant captains of hundred – the army officers, by whom he assures himself of the support of the army – and five named men. If we have a plan to do something for the Lord, it is also important to involve the right people. These are co-workers who share the same goal and who know themselves called by the Lord. Paul also makes careful choices about who he wants to take with him and who he does not want to take along on his missionary journeys. The next step of Jehoiada is that he makes the five men mentioned travel around in Judah to call upon the Levites and the family heads to come to Jerusalem ( ). It will not be said that the call is to have a protest meeting. Maybe it has been said that it is to have a feast day. Such a thing will arouse the least suspicion in Athaliah. If we know that the Lord has said something, it is enough to go in faith. A revival begins, just like here with Jehoiada, with an individual, in a small circle, but who has or gets knowledge of the hidden Christ. The circle is getting bigger and bigger and many are involved in it – so there can be chaff under the wheat and the revival fades away. After the captains and the five men follow the Levites, the family heads and all the assembly. Then the whole gathered assembly enters into a covenant with the king ( ). This happens in the house of God, that is, before God’s face. With the words “behold, the king’s son” Jehoiada turns the eyes of all to Joash. He underlines his action with a reference to what the LORD Himself has said. It is not a selfish act, but in accordance with what “the LORD has spoken concerning the sons of David”. In this little boy lies the hope for the future. Christ is not of value either, yet He is “the hope of glory” ( ). As it was tried to kill Joash, but who escaped by “fleeing” into the house of the LORD, so it was tried to kill the Lord Jesus and He escaped by fleeing to Egypt. Then He grew up in secret, in the things of His Father, until the time of His public performance had come. So it is with Joash. Until his public appointment as king he dwells “in the shelter of the Most High” and spends the night “in the shadow of the Almighty” ( ). He dwells in his younger years “in the house of the Lord all the days” of his life ( ). Let this also be our refuge and our life, for our “life is hidden with Christ in God” ( ).

‏ 2 Chronicles 23:3

Introduction

The history of Joash here is actually the history of Jehoiada. Jehoiada is the main character in this chapter. He must be over ninety years old here and a venerable appearance at his performance. When he dies, the appreciation for him turns out: he is buried among the kings (2Chr 24:16).

The Covenant With the King

“The seventh year” (2Chr 23:1) is the year after the six years mentioned in the last verse of the previous chapter (2Chr 22:12). Joash has been hidden in the temple for six years. The time of his public performance to accept his kingship has come. During his being hidden two women, Jehoshabeath and the nurse, took care of Joash. Now that he will publicly come forth as king, Jehoiada comes to the fore.

Jehoiada is a careful man. He keeps the boy hidden until the time is ripe to show him. Before that time, he strengthens his position. He begins by involving in a covenant captains of hundred – the army officers, by whom he assures himself of the support of the army – and five named men. If we have a plan to do something for the Lord, it is also important to involve the right people. These are co-workers who share the same goal and who know themselves called by the Lord. Paul also makes careful choices about who he wants to take with him and who he does not want to take along on his missionary journeys.

The next step of Jehoiada is that he makes the five men mentioned travel around in Judah to call upon the Levites and the family heads to come to Jerusalem (2Chr 23:2). It will not be said that the call is to have a protest meeting. Maybe it has been said that it is to have a feast day. Such a thing will arouse the least suspicion in Athaliah.

If we know that the Lord has said something, it is enough to go in faith. A revival begins, just like here with Jehoiada, with an individual, in a small circle, but who has or gets knowledge of the hidden Christ. The circle is getting bigger and bigger and many are involved in it – so there can be chaff under the wheat and the revival fades away. After the captains and the five men follow the Levites, the family heads and all the assembly.

Then the whole gathered assembly enters into a covenant with the king (2Chr 23:3). This happens in the house of God, that is, before God’s face. With the words “behold, the king’s son” Jehoiada turns the eyes of all to Joash. He underlines his action with a reference to what the LORD Himself has said. It is not a selfish act, but in accordance with what “the LORD has spoken concerning the sons of David”.

In this little boy lies the hope for the future. Christ is not of value either, yet He is “the hope of glory” (Col 1:27). As it was tried to kill Joash, but who escaped by “fleeing” into the house of the LORD, so it was tried to kill the Lord Jesus and He escaped by fleeing to Egypt. Then He grew up in secret, in the things of His Father, until the time of His public performance had come.

So it is with Joash. Until his public appointment as king he dwells “in the shelter of the Most High” and spends the night “in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psa 91:1). He dwells in his younger years “in the house of the Lord all the days” of his life (Psa 27:4). Let this also be our refuge and our life, for our “life is hidden with Christ in God” (Col 3:3).