What does Jehosheba's action teach about God's sovereignty in difficult times? Text to Consider “And Joash remained hidden with them in the house of God for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.” Backdrop: A Dark Day in Judah • Athaliah, daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, seized the throne and began exterminating the royal heirs (22:10). • Jehosheba—princess, half-sister to the slain king Ahaziah, and wife of the high priest Jehoiada—rescued the infant prince Joash, hiding him from certain death (22:11). • For six years the promise God made to David (2 Samuel 7:12-16) appeared threatened, yet God’s plan never wavered. Jehosheba’s Risk, God’s Reign • God’s covenant overrides human evil – Genesis 50:20: “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good.” – In the face of Athaliah’s massacre, God safeguarded the lineage that would lead to Christ (Matthew 1:6-16). • Sovereignty displayed through ordinary obedience – Jehosheba’s quiet courage shows God often works through unseen faithfulness rather than public spectacle (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). – Her action fulfilled Proverbs 21:30: “No wisdom, no understanding, no plan can succeed against the LORD.” • Hidden seasons serve divine purposes – Joash’s six-year concealment mirrors Moses’ years in Midian (Exodus 2:15) and David’s fugitive days (1 Samuel 23-24): periods that looked like delay but were preparation. – Psalm 27:5: “For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter.” Threads of Sovereignty Woven Through Scripture • Covenant continuity – 2 Chronicles 23:3: “Behold, the king’s son shall reign, as the LORD promised concerning the sons of David.” – Isaiah 9:7 points forward: “Of the increase of His government and peace there shall be no end… on David’s throne.” • Human plots never outrun divine rule – Daniel 4:35: God “does as He pleases with the host of heaven and the inhabitants of the earth.” – Acts 4:27-28: Even the crucifixion occurred “according to Your purpose and will.” • Assurance in personal trials – Romans 8:28: “In all things God works for the good of those who love Him.” – Psalm 46:1: “God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Living This Truth Today • Trust God’s unseen work – What feels like hiding in a back room of the temple may be God’s strategic positioning. • Practice courageous obedience – Small, risky acts—speaking truth, protecting life, honoring Scripture—can become pivotal pieces in God’s plan. • Remember the bigger story – Every believer stands within the same sovereign narrative that preserved Joash and produced Jesus; therefore no crisis is outside divine control. |
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