What scriptural connections exist between Jehoiada's actions and God's covenant promises? Setting the Scene • 2 Chronicles 23:1 records, “In the seventh year Jehoiada strengthened himself and made a covenant with the commanders of hundreds….” • Athaliah’s murderous reign had almost wiped out the line of David (2 Chronicles 22:10–12). • As high priest, Jehoiada steps forward to protect the last surviving heir, Joash, and to re-establish righteous rule in Judah. Jehoiada’s Covenant-Making • Jehoiada “strengthened himself” (took courage) and “made a covenant.” • Covenant language deliberately echoes God’s earlier covenants; Jehoiada isn’t inventing something new but aligning Judah with what God already promised. • Three layers of covenant activity follow (2 Chronicles 23:3, 16): – with the military leaders (v. 1) – with the assembly (“the king’s son shall reign,” v. 3) – with the people and the king “that they would be the LORD’s people” (v. 16) Connection to God’s Promise to David • 2 Samuel 7:12-16; 1 Chronicles 17:11-14—God swore an everlasting throne to David’s descendants. • Jehoiada’s rescue of Joash preserves that line when it was hanging by a thread. • Psalm 132:11—“The LORD has sworn to David… ‘I will set one of your descendants on your throne.’” Jehoiada acts so that this sworn word is not broken. • 2 Chronicles 21:7 reminds us that, even in the face of Judah’s sins, “the LORD was not willing to destroy the house of David because of the covenant.” Jehoiada’s actions fit that divine unwillingness. Renewing the Mosaic Covenant • Deuteronomy 7:6—Israel is to be “a holy people to the LORD.” Jehoiada re-affirms this calling (2 Chronicles 23:16). • He removes Baal’s temple, smashes its altars, and kills Mattan the priest of Baal (2 Chronicles 23:17), mirroring Deuteronomy 13:5’s command to purge idolatry. • By re-establishing regular temple worship and priestly divisions (2 Chronicles 23:18-19), he restores obedience to Exodus 29:38-42 and Leviticus 6:12-13 regarding daily offerings. Echoes of the Priestly Covenant • Numbers 25:12-13—God grants Phinehas “a covenant of a perpetual priesthood” for his zeal. • Like Phinehas, Jehoiada shows priestly zeal, safeguarding purity and covenant faithfulness; thus he illustrates the ongoing validity of that priestly covenant. • Malachi 2:4-5 later recalls this “covenant with Levi,” and Jehoiada stands in that tradition of godly priests who turn many from iniquity. Foreshadowing the New Covenant in Christ • By saving David’s line, Jehoiada safeguards the genealogy that leads to Jesus (Matthew 1:6-16; Luke 3:31-32). • Luke 1:32-33 echoes 2 Samuel 7 when Gabriel tells Mary, “The Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David… of His kingdom there will be no end.” • God’s faithfulness in Jehoiada’s day anticipates the ultimate fulfillment of every covenant promise in the Messiah, “the mediator of a new covenant” (Hebrews 12:24). Takeaway Truths • God keeps His word even when circumstances seem hopeless. • Human faithfulness, like Jehoiada’s courageous leadership, becomes an instrument for the unfolding of divine promises. • Each layer of covenant—Davidic, Mosaic, Priestly—finds harmony in God’s overarching plan, culminating in Christ. |
    |