I see in 2 Chronicles 23 a wonderful picture of what it now means to serve Christ as King in a world that is both threatened by and against Him. If we pick up from where chapter 22 leaves off we remember that a woman named Jehoshebeath has hidden one royal son from the wrath of the queen mother Athaliah. And while she reigns and destroys, this son grows and grows. But in chapter 23, the time has come to take a stand and proclaim him (Joash) king.
The instrumental person in this movement is the husband of Jehoshebeath, Jehoiada, the priest. The question we should ask is how Jehoiada was able to take such steps to follow the King no one saw. For in answering this question, we find our way forward in faith today.
First, it took courage.
2 Chronicles 23:1 (ESV) But in the seventh year Jehoiada took courage and entered into a covenant with the commanders of hundreds, Azariah the son of Jeroham, Ishmael the son of Jehohanan, Azariah the son of Obed, Maaseiah the son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat the son of Zichri.
Notice as well that Jehoiada begins to build strong relationships with the right people - the commanders of Israel's army. He may believe the coup is of God, but he's wise enough to make the right connections in the material realm.
Second, it took preparation.
2 Chronicles 23:4–5 (ESV) This is the thing that you shall do: of you priests and Levites who come off duty on the Sabbath, one third shall be gatekeepers, 5 and one third shall be at the king’s house and one third at the Gate of the Foundation. And all the people shall be in the courts of the house of the LORD.
The chapter unpacks the stealth and determined schematic of scheduling officers and temple leaders so that no suspicion would arise. Jehoida's shrewd dealings with the important people of Israel would be commended by the Lord who taught us to be "shrewd as serpents." The important point is that preparation is made. Jehoida knows that he must prepare for the king's arrival.
Third, it took weaponry.
2 Chronicles 23:9 (ESV) And Jehoiada the priest gave to the captains the spears and the large and small shields that had been King David’s, which were in the house of God.
I like this because the weapons were from David's own armory. Long dead, the great king's weapons were still available and impressive enough to at least present the army of righteousness as formidable and strong. We took have weapons of warfare that are not carnal (2 Cor. 10:4).
Fourth, it took testimony.
2 Chronicles 23:11 (ESV) Then they brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him and gave him the testimony. And they proclaimed him king, and Jehoiada and his sons anointed him, and they said, “Long live the king.”
The people involved would have to voice their support for the true king publicly and without shame. This they do to the utter surprise of the wicked Athaliah.
2 Chronicles 23:13 (ESV) And when she looked, there was the king standing by his pillar at the entrance, and the captains and the trumpeters beside the king, and all the people of the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets, and the singers with their musical instruments leading in the celebration. And Athaliah tore her clothes and cried, “Treason! Treason!”
The campaign ends with Athaliah put to death and the true son of David crowned as king. Jehoiada then inaugurates spiritual reforms, destroying the altars of Baal and restoring proper Temple worship.
2 Chronicles 23:16–17 (ESV) And Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and all the people and the king that they should be the LORD’s people. 17 Then all the people went to the house of Baal and tore it down; his altars and his images they broke in pieces, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars.
You could call this a "sanctification" process that led to what the end of the chapter refers to as quiet.
2 Chronicles 23:21 (ESV) So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet after Athaliah had been put to death with the sword.
What a glorious picture of our present time in this world run by wickedness and immorality. Like Jehoida, to follow the unseen king we must be courageous, we must be in a state of preparedness, we must fashion our weapons of righteousness (prayer and truth), we must hold fast to our testimony and let God cleanse us in sanctification. The king will one day be seen by all, the wicked cast down and our souls will rejoice in the peace of God.
Amen.
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