How does Jehoash's reign compare to other kings in Israel's history? Verse Under Study “Yet he did evil in the sight of the LORD and did not turn away from all the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit; he walked in them.” (2 Kings 13:11) What We Learn About Jehoash (Joash) of Israel • Third-generation ruler in the Jehu dynasty; reigned sixteen years (2 Kings 13:10) • Maintained the golden-calf worship set up by Jeroboam I (1 Kings 12:28–33) • Sought Elisha on the prophet’s deathbed and received God’s promise of military victories (2 Kings 13:14-19) • Recovered lost cities from Aram three times, exactly as Elisha foretold (2 Kings 13:24-25) • Still labeled “evil in the sight of the LORD” because idolatry never stopped God’s Yardstick for Israel’s Kings • Phrase “did evil in the sight of the LORD” appears for every northern king (e.g., 1 Kings 16:25; 2 Kings 15:9) • Repeated comparison to Jeroboam I—either a king “walked in his sins” or he didn’t • No northern king ever eradicated the golden calves or reunited worship at Jerusalem; therefore, none receive the “did right in the sight of the LORD” verdict reserved for faithful rulers in Judah (e.g., 2 Kings 18:3; 22:2) Side-by-Side Snapshot • Jeroboam I: Invented calf worship; standard of sin (1 Kings 14:16) • Omri & Ahab: Expanded idolatry into Baal worship; Ahab called the worst (1 Kings 16:30-33; 21:25) • Jehu: Destroyed Baal but kept calves; judged as partially obedient (2 Kings 10:28-31) • Jehoahaz (Jehoash’s father): Cried out to God under Aramean oppression but never removed calves (2 Kings 13:4-6) • Jehoash: Followed father’s pattern—military success by God’s mercy yet spiritual failure (2 Kings 13:11, 25) • Jeroboam II (his son): Great territorial expansion, still walked in Jeroboam I’s sins (2 Kings 14:23-24) How Jehoash Measures Up Spiritual fidelity: no better than most, on par with his father and son Military success: greater than some (recaptured cities), less than Jeroboam II Prophetic interaction: unique moment with dying Elisha, but no lasting reform Legacy: remembered for victories granted by grace, yet cataloged among the kings who “did evil” Big Picture Take-aways • God mercifully delivered Israel in Jehoash’s day for His covenant’s sake (2 Kings 13:23) even though the king persisted in idolatry. • Temporary military gains never outweighed the enduring verdict of spiritual disobedience. • Jehoash’s reign underscores a pattern: whenever leaders refuse to tear down false worship, their record before the LORD remains “evil,” regardless of political or military achievements. |
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