How does 2 Kings 8:24 illustrate the importance of a godly legacy? The snapshot of 2 Kings 8:24 “And Joram rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the city of David, and Ahaziah his son became king in his place.” Tracing the backstory • Joram (also called Jehoram) married Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel (2 Kings 8:18). • He “walked in the ways of the kings of Israel… for he had married Ahab’s daughter” (v. 18). • He murdered his own brothers to secure the throne (2 Chron 21:4). • He led Judah into idolatry, built high places, and caused the people to prostitute themselves spiritually (2 Chron 21:11). What kind of legacy did Joram leave? • A throne—but not a testimony. • A son—yet no spiritual example. • A kingdom rife with idolatry and instability (2 Kings 8:20–22). • A pattern his son Ahaziah followed, “walking in the ways of Ahab’s house” and perishing after one year (2 Kings 8:27; 9:27–29). Why a godly legacy matters • Scripture calls parents to transmit faith, not just possessions. – Deuteronomy 6:5–7: “Impress them on your children… talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road.” – Psalm 78:6–7: Teach the next generation “so that they should set their hope in God.” • Proverbs 13:22: “A good man leaves an inheritance to his children’s children,” pointing first to spiritual riches. • 3 John 4: “I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth.” What Joram’s story teaches • Position cannot substitute for piety. Kingship without covenant faithfulness collapses. • Our choices ripple forward. Joram’s ungodliness shaped his son, his nation, and ultimately his own memory. • Burial “with his fathers” (2 Kings 8:24) was an honor in form only; the chronicler notes he “departed with no one’s regret” (2 Chron 21:20). Living it out • Guard your alliances. Marrying or partnering with the ungodly can redirect an entire family line. • Prioritize worship over achievement. Daily devotion, church fellowship, and obedience sow seeds that outlive us. • Model repentance. Even past failures can birth a godly legacy when honestly confessed and turned from (Psalm 51:13). • Speak Scripture at home. Let children and grandchildren see and hear God’s Word lived and loved (Colossians 3:16). • Invest in eternal inheritance. Time, affection, and gospel truth will matter long after titles and assets fade (Matthew 6:19–21). In one verse, 2 Kings 8:24 reminds us that everyone leaves something behind; only those who walk with the Lord leave a legacy worth inheriting. |
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