Daily Devotions
Filled with the Holy Spirit
"Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah..."
Text: 2 Chronicles 24:20
THE SUFFERING OF PROPHETS
Though prophets were anointed and empowered, it does not mean that they had an easy time serving the Lord.
1. The prophet Elijah
He suffered so much that he asked the Lord to end his life (1 Kings 19:1-4).
2. The prophet Jeremiah
He was driven to anger and despair on many occasions (Jeremiah 12).
THE PROPHET ZECHARIAH
There were at least two prophets who had the same name, Zechariah. Often the prophets were identified by making reference to their father. The prophet Zechariah, the son of Jehoida ministered in difficult circumstances.
“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.
Yet He sent prophets to them, to bring them back to the LORD;
and they testified against them, but they would not listen.
Then the Spirit of the 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.””
2 Chronicles 24:17-20
How did King Joash and the people respond to this prophet who spoke courageously against the apostasy that prevailed?
The following text is a solemn testimony of how much the true and faithful prophets of God had to endure for the sake of their faith.
“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 24:21-22
PUNISHMENT OF KING JOASH
The fate of King Joash was solemnly recorded in 2 Chronicles 24:23-25.
1. Joash was defeated by the King of Syria.
2. He was severely wounded in battle.
3. His own servants assassinated him in his own bed.
He died with great ignominy. He was not buried in the tombs of the kings!