Topical Bible: Decision: Joash

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Joash, also known as Jehoash, was a king of Judah whose reign is recorded in the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. His life and decisions provide a complex narrative of faithfulness, reform, and eventual apostasy, offering a multifaceted study of leadership and spiritual integrity.

Early Life and Ascension to the Throne

Joash was the son of Ahaziah, king of Judah, and his life was preserved through the courageous actions of his aunt Jehosheba, who hid him from the murderous rampage of Athaliah, his grandmother. Athaliah had seized the throne after the death of her son Ahaziah and sought to eliminate the royal lineage. Joash was hidden in the temple for six years, during which time he was under the protection and tutelage of Jehoiada the priest (2 Kings 11:2-3; 2 Chronicles 22:11-12).

At the age of seven, Joash was anointed king in a carefully orchestrated coup led by Jehoiada. The covenant renewal ceremony that followed was a pivotal moment, as it reestablished the Davidic line and reaffirmed the nation's commitment to the LORD (2 Kings 11:17-21; 2 Chronicles 23:16-21).

Religious Reforms

Under the guidance of Jehoiada, Joash initiated significant religious reforms. He is noted for his decision to repair the temple, which had fallen into disrepair during the reign of Athaliah. Joash instructed the priests to collect funds for the restoration, demonstrating his commitment to the worship of Yahweh and the centrality of the temple in Judah's spiritual life (2 Kings 12:4-5; 2 Chronicles 24:4-5).

The project faced challenges, as the initial collection of funds was slow. Joash then made a decisive move by implementing a new system for collecting money, which involved placing a chest at the temple entrance. This decision proved effective, and the temple was successfully repaired (2 Kings 12:9-12; 2 Chronicles 24:8-14).

Later Years and Apostasy

Despite his early faithfulness, Joash's later years were marked by a tragic departure from his initial devotion. After the death of Jehoiada, Joash fell under the influence of corrupt officials and abandoned the worship of the LORD, turning instead to idolatry (2 Chronicles 24:17-18). This decision led to divine judgment, as prophets were sent to call him back to faithfulness, but Joash refused to listen.

One of the most grievous decisions of Joash's reign was his order to execute Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada, who had confronted the king about his apostasy. This act of ingratitude and violence against the son of his former mentor marked a significant moral and spiritual decline (2 Chronicles 24:20-22).

Consequences and Legacy

Joash's decisions ultimately led to his downfall. His reign ended in turmoil when he was assassinated by his own officials, a consequence of his betrayal of the covenant and the LORD's protection (2 Kings 12:20-21; 2 Chronicles 24:25-26). Joash's life serves as a sobering reminder of the importance of steadfastness in faith and the dangers of turning away from Godly counsel.

The narrative of Joash is a testament to the complexities of leadership and the enduring impact of one's decisions on personal legacy and national destiny. His account is a call to remain faithful to God's commandments and to seek His guidance in all decisions.

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2 Kings 22:2
And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.
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2 Kings 23:3,25
And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.
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2 Chronicles 34:31
And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book.
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Library

None Greater than John the Baptist, Yet. . .
... and prevalent with us; by the ideal we seek to apprehend; by the decision and choice ...
When we are first introduced to Gideon, the youngest son of Joash the Abi ...
//christianbookshelf.org/meyer/john the baptist/xii none greater than john.htm

A Cloud of Witnesses.
... of the God of heaven in the conquest of the land, and bowed to His decision. ...
Maccabees.[317] Zechariah was stoned to death at the commandment of Joash the king ...
/.../the expositors bible the epistle to the hebrews/chapter xiii a cloud of.htm

Introduction.
... of some German philosophical expositors who are too critical, and the decision of
some ... At Elisha's request, Joash, King of Israel, shot arrows from a bow, in ...
//christianbookshelf.org/arnot/the parables of our lord/introduction.htm

Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
... so strong and clear a light as Solomon disobeyed, or Joash; still against his ... gentleness
of temper, in the midst of zeal, resoluteness, and decision in action. ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon vii josiah a pattern.htm

Questions.
... 17. How did Joash disobey Elisha?"2 Kings, xiii.19. 18. ... 6. Who fostered the ill-will
between the brothers? 7. To whose decision was the dispute referred? ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/questions.htm

Tiglath-Pileser iii. And the Organisation of the Assyrian Empire ...
... that he preached "in the days of Jeroboam, the son of Joash (Jehoash), King of ... of
time, and chiefs who till then had vacillated in their decision now crowded ...
/.../chapter iitiglath-pileser iii and the.htm

The Prophet Joel.
... Pg 296] valid, we should have to go back even beyond the time of Joash. ... The decision
depends, therefore, upon the internal character of the description itself. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet joel.htm

The Assumption of Moses
... Joash, Amaziah, Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, Hezekiah, Manasseh, Amon, Josiah. ... it to a much
earlier date, nor does this part of the "prophecy" alter this decision. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the assumption of moses.htm

The Book of Enoch
... Matthew, Ahaziah, Joash, and Amaziah), consists of fourteen generations from Abijam
to ... far from being adepts, and to guide oneself to a decision through the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the book of enoch.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... In view of the growing need of rest for the Assyrian nation, he could not have arrived
at a wiser decision, provided always that circumstances allowed of its ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm