Growing Up in Religion

     When a person grows up going to church, they may appear to be a good Christian.  They know the right words to say, clothes to wear, and how to do the works that look good.  However, until a person takes responsibility over their faith and faces trials, it is just religion.  Faith requires a leap of faith, doing things that don't look right or make much sense.  It is doing anything that is needed to to establish, maintain, and grow in the intimate relationship with God.

    King Joash literally grew up in the church.  He did everything that was good and right as long as Jehoiada was alive.  Jehoiada was a hands on advisor.  He chose both of Joash's wives.  It appears like he made all the real decisions for Joash.  Joash appeared to be the spokesperson for Judah instead of the real king.

    King Joash put his energy into restoring God's temple.  He ordered the Levites to take a tax to get the money for the repairs to make it glorious like it once was.  The Levites took the money, but were in no hurry to get the repairs done.  Joash took a locked box and put it inside the temple.  There people would willingly contribute money.  The king distributed the money accordingly for the repairs to be done.

    Jehoiada was 130 when he died and was buried like a king.  After his death is when evil reentered Judah.  It was a emotional blow for Joash.  His faith was in Jehoiada, not God, so it did not withstand such a trial of this loss.  He allowed his nation to turn back to the pagan ways and walk away from God.

    Jehoiada's son, Zechariah, spoke to the nation about forsaking God.  God was now forsaking Judah.  Zechariah's words made the nation and the king mad, so they turned him into a martyr.  They stoned him to death for speaking God's words.  To make it worse, they did it in the temple' courtyard.  They shed blood in a holy place.  This more than Zechariah's words cursed them.  

    King Joash got destroyed by the Arameans because God supported this enemy for the evil Joash had committed.  His rejection of God destroyed all the good works he had done the majority of his life.  He was hurt in battle, but it was his officials that killed him.  They believed that the curse would die with the king, but killing an anointed provides a whole new curse upon the murderers.  Joash reigned 40 years, which means he died at 47.  

2 Chronicles 24