Love Divine

2 Kings 12 & 13, 2 Chronicles 24

I wonder why the Chronicler has such a passionate eye for the concept of immediate retribution.

Why the single most important sum-up sentence is whether the king sought the LORD or did evil in the eyes of the LORD?   There are often so many things that factor into life and choices, including a good mentor!

2 Kings 12:2 “Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him.”

 

He instituted temple repairs and set aside funds for this work. The temple had fallen into disrepair under the rule of  Ahab and the likes of Athaliah.  Ch 12:6 “But by the 23^rd year of King Joash the priests still had not repaired the temple.” The priests could not do the work and eventually workmen were hired and they acted with complete honesty (vs 15).  2 Chron 24: 10 “All the officials and all the people brought their contributions gladly.  13 The men in charge of the work were diligent, and the repairs progressed under them.  They rebuilt the temple of God according to its original design and reinforced it. “

2 Kings 12:17 “About this time Hazael king of Aram went up and attacked Gath and captured it.  Then he turned to attack Jerusalem. 18 But Joash king of Judah took all the sacred objects dedicated by his fathers – Jehoshaphat, Jehoram and Ahaziah, the kings of Judah- and the gifts he himself had dedicated and all the gold found in the treasuries of the temple of the LORD and of the royal place and sent them to Hazael king of Aram, who then withdrew from Jerusalem.”

I think we can be quick to judge Joash for surrendering and squandering the sacred objects.  

His humanity ready to lean toward a quick solution instead of relying on God to fight this battle.

But this is Hazael.

Hazael who caused the prophet Elisha to weep.  2 Kings 8: 12 “‘Why is my lord weeping?’ asked Hazael. ‘Because I know the harm you will do to the Israelites,’ he answered. ‘You will set fire to their fortified places, kill their young men with the sword, dash their little children to the ground, and rip open heir pregnant women.’”

His humanity horrified at the brutality and atrocities.

Crimes against humanity.

And as a human you just want use your power to stop it.

But Joash also committed crimes when he was no longer under the good influence of his mentor Jehoaida. 

Jehoiada, the high priest, was awarded the high honor of being buried in the royal tomb, in the City of David.

NIV Notes. And after a period of righteous reign until the death of Jehoiada, Joash turns to idolatry and murders Jehoiada’s son Zechariah.  This section is unique to the Chronicler and shows his emphasis on immediate retribution.  Because in the following year he is invaded and defeated by a very small Aramean army.  Given into their hands.

Zechariah, Jehoiada’s son, warned Judah, God’s people, that they would not prosper. 

2 Chron 24:21 “And they stoned him to death, in the courtyard of the LORD’s temple.  22 King Joash did not remember the kindness of Zechariah’s father Jehoiada had shown him – but killed his son, who said as he lay dying, ‘May the LORD see this and call you to account.’”

I think a bout these sections of history.

Of people living in an occupied land that is their inheritance.

These people who belong to God.

And God’s long faithfulness in their direction.

And these people who just can’t get it together.

Disregarding the prophets Words.

In the eyes of the Chronicler they get what they deserve.

Writing this book after the exile to the faithful singing remnant as it returns. 

This Bible Book surviving all the burning, and wars, and plunder.

Surviving until as recently as Qumran.

That’s the paper part of God’s Story. 

Some days as I read, I wonder in my humanity why God hangs in there.

And what a great Love that is.

Love Divine.

All loves excelling.

That God’s unchanging Grace-love can never be undone by us.

I can hardly wrap my brain around that.