JOASH WAS SEVEN YEARS OLD WHEN HE BECAME KING
Text: 2 Chronicles 22-24
16 May 2010
(I) SPECIALLY PRESERVED FOR A PURPOSE
1. Joash was in danger of being assassinated (2 Chronicles 22:10)
a) After Athaliah’s only son was assassinated, she rose to power.
b) She sought to destroy all the royal heirs of the house of Judah
2. Jehoshabeath specially protected Joash (2 Chronicles 22:11-12)
a) Jehoshabeath hid Joash and his nurse in a bedroom
b) She then hid them in the house of God for six years
c) Joash was specially preserved by the Lord.
(II) THE CRUCIAL INFLUENCE OF A SPIRITUAL FATHER
1. Great kindness and help given by Jehoida to Joash
a) Raised up to fulfil the word of God ( 2 Chronicles 23:1-3 )
b) Well-guarded ( 2 Chronicles 23:4-10 )
c) Crowned as the next king ( 2 Chronicles 23:11-13 )
d) Execution of Athaliah ( 2 Chronicles 23:15 )
2. Behind Joash was the spiritual guidance of Jehoida
a) He was only seven years old when he became king
b) He was taught, guided and influenced by Jehoida ( 2 Kings 12:2 )
c) He set his heart to repair the house of God ( 2 Chronicles 24:4 )
(III) WHERE WRONG INFLUENCE LEADS TO APOSTASY AND JUDGMENT
1. After Jehoiada’s death, Joash was led astray (2 Chronicle. 24:17)
2. Turned towards idolatry (2 Chronicles 24:18)
3. Persistence apostasy despite the warnings of prophets (2 Chronicles 24:19-20)
4. He even killed Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada (2 Chronicles 24:22)
5. God executed judgment against Joash (2 Chronicles 24:24-25)
(IV) RIGHT PERSPECTIVES AND CHALLENGES WITH REFERENCE TO CHILDREN
1. Seeing the great potential that children have
2. Seeing the important role that pastors play
3. Understanding there are no guarantees to how the child will turn out in the end
4. Doing all we can now to help children grow up well