“Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood above the people, and said to them, ‘Thus says God: “Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, He also has forsaken you.”’ So they conspired against him, and at the command of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the house of the Lord. Thus Joash the king did not remember the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but killed his son; and as he died, he said, ‘The Lord look on it, and repay!’" (2 Chronicles 24:20-22).
At one time Joash, the king of Judah, had been a great king who followed God. As an infant, he had been rescued by his aunt Jehoshabeath from the murderous hand of his grandmother Athaliah. Jehoshabeath hid Joash from Queen Athaliah for 6 years (2 Chronicles 22:10-12). Joash ascended to the throne when Jehoiada made a covenant with the “captains of the hundreds”, the Levites from throughout the cities of Judah, and the chief fathers of Israel and anointed Joash king of Judah (2 Chronicles 23:1-11). Jehoida provided instruction and guidance to the young king Joash (2 Kings 12:1-2). Along with Jehoida’s support, Joash made much needed repairs to the temple of the Lord (2 Chronicles 24:4-14). The Scriptures note, “Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest” (2 Chronicles 24:2).
However, Jehoiada eventually grew old and died (2 Chronicles 24:15). “Now after the death of Jehoiada the leaders of Judah came and bowed down to the king. And the king listened to them. Therefore they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served wooden images and idols; and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem because of their trespass” (2 Chronicles 24:17-18). Following Jehoida’s death, King Joash began to depart from the Lord as he listened to the erroneous guidance of the leaders of Judah.
God sent prophets to Joash and the leaders of Judah, but they would not listen to them (2 Chronicles 24:19). Eventually, the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest who said to them, “Thus says God: 'Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, He also has forsaken you’” (2 Chronicles 24:20). They conspired against him and killed him. Joash had killed the son of the man who had anointed him to be king of Israel. He completely forget the kindness which Jehoiada had done for him (2 Chronicles 24:21-22). Eventually, Joash was killed by his own servants because of the blood of Jehoiada’s son which he had shed. God did repay him (2 Chronicles 24:22, 23-25)!
When I read this account, I stand amazed at how easily Joash had forgot everything that Jehoiada the priest had done for him. I cringe at the thought he would kill the son of the man who had been such a blessing to his own life. However, as I look to myself I recall how easily it is for me to forget all the kindness which God has shown to me. God gave His Son to die for me and my sins (John 3:16). It is that goodness of God which led me to repent of my sins (Romans 2:4). As I consider how easily Joash forget the kindness done to him by Jehoiada, do I find myself easily forgetting all the kindness God has shown to me? Today, I will rejoice in all the kindness that God has shown to me and strive to live my life in such a way as not to forget it!
“Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles! Laud Him, all you peoples! For His merciful kindness is great toward us, And the truth of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord!” (Psalm 117:1-2).