What lessons can we learn from Joash's early reign about God's timing? Quiet Beginnings: Joash Hidden in the Temple – 2 Kings 11:2-3 records that Joash spent six silent years concealed “in the house of the LORD.” – God’s covenant with David seemed in danger, yet every promise was safe in His hands (2 Samuel 7:16; Psalm 31:15). – Lesson: God often works out of sight. Seasons that feel unproductive may actually shield and shape us for future service. The Right Moment Arrives – “Joash was seven years old when he became king.” (2 Kings 11:21) – Only when Athaliah’s tyranny had run its course did the priest Jehoiada reveal the boy (2 Kings 11:4-12). – Ecclesiastes 3:1 reminds us, “There is a time for everything.” Divine timing ends evil and exalts righteousness right on schedule. Age Is No Barrier to Calling – A seven-year-old on the throne proves God chooses instruments that highlight His power, not human credentials (1 Corinthians 1:27-29). – Compare David, anointed in youth yet destined for kingship (1 Samuel 16:13); Jeremiah, called from the womb (Jeremiah 1:5-7). – Lesson: Never discount what the Lord can begin in any stage of life. God Works Through Faithful People – Jehosheba risked her life; Jehoiada mentored the child-king. – Their courage illustrates Philippians 2:13: “For it is God who works in you to will and to act on behalf of His good purpose.” – Lesson: Divine timing often flows through obedient servants who stand firm when others compromise. Waiting Is Preparation – Joash’s hidden years were filled with temple influence, forming a heart that would later restore worship (2 Kings 12:4-5). – Isaiah 40:31 promises renewed strength for those who wait on the LORD; Joash is a living picture. – Lesson: Waiting periods refine vision, build conviction, and align desires with God’s purposes. Fulfillment in the Fullness of Time – Galatians 4:4 points to the ultimate example: “When the fullness of time had come, God sent His Son.” – Joash’s timely coronation foreshadows the perfect timing of Christ’s arrival and kingdom. – Lesson: Every smaller instance of God’s precise timing directs us to trust His grand redemptive timetable. Living the Lesson Today – Rest in the assurance that no promise of God can be thwarted by visible circumstances. – Embrace hidden seasons as opportunities for growth rather than signs of abandonment. – Stay faithful in ordinary obedience, knowing God orders steps (Proverbs 16:9) and unveils His plan at exactly the right hour. |
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