How can we apply Jehoash's story to our leadership roles today? Setting the Scene • “In the thirty-seventh year of Joash king of Judah, Jehoash son of Jehoahaz became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria sixteen years.” (2 Kings 13:10) • Israel’s throne sits in Samaria, idolatry is entrenched, Syria (Aram) is the dominant military threat, and the aging prophet Elisha is still God’s mouthpiece in the land. Lesson 1: Titles Don’t Guarantee God’s Approval • 2 Kings 13:11—“He did evil in the sight of the LORD and did not turn away from all the sins of Jeroboam…” • Leadership role ≠ divine endorsement. • Modern application: – Evaluate your heart before evaluating metrics or results (Proverbs 4:23). – Remove whatever “high places” of compromise linger—patterns, attitudes, entertainment, business practices that defy God’s standards. Lesson 2: Seek Godly Counsel—and Act on It • Jehoash weeps over Elisha (13:14)—he knows where true strength lies. • Elisha instructs: “Take a bow and arrows…shoot” (13:15-17). • Today’s leaders: – Keep seasoned, Word-anchored counsel close (Proverbs 11:14). – Allow spiritual mentors to “put their hands on your hands,” shaping strategy and aim. – Act promptly; delayed obedience misses windows of opportunity (Ephesians 5:15-16). Lesson 3: Half-hearted Obedience Limits Blessing • Told to strike the ground, Jehoash stops after three blows (13:18-19). • Result: only three victories instead of total deliverance. • Transfer to leadership roles: – Don’t settle for minimal compliance; pursue full obedience. – Luke 16:10—faithfulness in small tasks foretells larger trust. – Push past “good enough.” Excellence honors God and blesses those you lead (Colossians 3:23). Lesson 4: God’s Covenant Mercy Surpasses Flawed Leaders • “But the LORD was gracious to them…because of His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” (13:23) • Even under a compromised king, God defends His people. • Encouragement for us: – Your leadership failures are not the final word. Confess, repent, realign (1 John 1:9). – Depend on God’s faithfulness, not your résumé (2 Timothy 2:13). Lesson 5: Finish Your Race Better Than You Began • Jehoash ends with a mixed epitaph; he “rested with his fathers” (13:13) but never uprooted idolatry. • Contrast Paul: “I have finished the race” (2 Timothy 4:7). • Practical steps: – Regular self-examination (1 Timothy 4:16). – Plan for succession that points people to the Lord, not merely to you (Deuteronomy 34:9). – Keep growing; stagnation invites compromise. Practical Takeaways for Today’s Leaders • Cultivate a heart God can trust more than a résumé people admire. • Surround yourself with voices grounded in Scripture—and heed them. • Obey fully, swiftly, and enthusiastically; partial obedience breeds partial blessing. • Lean on God’s covenant faithfulness when you stumble, but don’t use grace as an excuse to coast. • Aim to conclude your tenure with greater purity, passion, and dependence on Christ than when you started. |
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