Will Your Choice Be The Lord Or The "gods Of The Land"?

Saturday of 11th week in course

Today’s story from the Book of Chronicles relates the history of the chosen people, the Jews, in the wake of the dictatorship of Queen Athaliah, who had tried to exterminate the House of David. But the priest Jehoiada saved the life of one of the king’s sons, and installed the boy, Joash, as king when he was seven years old. That began a forty-year reign that was a time of relative stability, and the restoration of the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem.

The troubles began when the good priest Jehoiada died, leaving Joash without a mentor who loved the Lord. The elites of the land came and bent the king’s ear so that they could bring back the worship of the so-called “gods of the land.” Zechariah, son of the good Jehoiada, prophesied against this trend, and was put to death for his trouble, dying with a prayer to the Lord for vengeance. After that, everything fell apart and Joash died at the hands of his servants.

Was the lesson of this king as simple as “follow the Lord’s will and succeed; ignore the Lord and die?” On the surface, yes, it is that simple. Beyond that, we need to listen to the song of the psalmist. God’s steadfast love is with David and the House of David. The Lord promised an eternal reign by a descendant of David over not just the House of Israel, but over the entire world. Every knee would bow to this king. We know who the King of Israel for all ages is.

He is Jesus Christ, son of God and son of Mary, who repeated the message the prophets had for Joash and all the other human kings: nobody can serve two masters. If you choose a god that just promises food and clothing and fine entertainment, you may get that but you will end up in eternal misery. If you choose the Lord, and practice obedience in faith, showing the simple trust of the birds of the air, your love and your obedience will lead you to eternal life, eternal joy.