The Revival Kings #3 Joash

THE REVIVAL KINGS #3 JOASH II CHRON. 23,24
THE KING WHO WAS INFLUENCED BY A GODLY MAN.


Background
As I mentioned previously in this series, after the reign of King Solomon the nation of Israel was divided into two kingdoms.

Israel - the northern kingdom - ten of the twelve tribes
Judah - the southern kingdom - two of the twelve tribes ( Judah and Benjamin )

Israel had 19 kings - all bad, not a good one in the lot.
Judah had 20 kings - 8 were good and 5 of the eight were godly and were the revival kings.

These five godly revival kings were:
Asa - Jehoshaphat - Joash - Hezekiah - Josiah

They were raised up by God to bring periods of revival and reformation to the nation. The OT books of Kings and Chronicles overlap and cover the same period of history. They are similar yet different.

Kings presents mainly an historical account of the two nations.
Chronicles presents "Gods view of history".
II Chronicles is a "Book about Revival"

Each of these Five Godly Revival Kings illustrates a different principle of Revival or Restoration.

Asa - Obey God’s Laws
Jehoshaphat - Teaching the Word
Joash - Paying what is due (restitution)
Hezekiah - Cleansing the Temple
Josiah - Return to hearing God’s Word


INTRODUCTION
This week we come to the third of the godly kings of Judah that experienced revival and reform during their reigns. First was Asa - Second was Jehoshaphat - Now Jaash.

Joash was the great grandson of Jehoshaphat, one of the godly kings of Judah. His grandmother was Athaliah who was either the sister or the daughter of Ahab, king of Israel. She had married one of the sons of Jehoshaphat.

We begin this morning with some palace intrigue and treachery after the death of Joashˇ¦s father.


II Chronicles 23:10-12

As we will soon discover, Athaliah was a very wicked and evil woman but thank God that for every ungodly woman there is a godly woman. Joashˇ¦s great aunt saves his life and preserves the line of David.

We have the child Joash, the only surviving heir to the throne of David, being hidden from the wicked Queen Athaliah for six years by the High Priest Jehoida.

For six years Jehoida the High Priest waited.
For six years Athaliah usurped the throne.
For six years she led the nation into idolatry
For six years the priests of Baal prospered.

But still Jehoida waited until the time was right.

II Chronicles 23 tells us that in the seventh year Jehoida made his move. He gathered the faithful men of Judah together and they crowned Joash King at age 7.

Look at Vs. 11-15

Jehoida, the High Priest was a remarkable man. He was God’s servant. He had no selfish motives or ambitions. He only wanted Godˇ¦s will - not his own.

Joash is considered one of the five godly kings of Judah but the godly reign of Joash is more about the godly High Priest Jehoida than about Joash.

Since Joash was only 7 when he came to the throne -- Jehoida was regent of the nation.


I. THE REFORMS OF JEHOIDA II CHRON. 23:16-21

1. The National Covenant was Renewed. Vs. 16
Israel was to be the people of God. They were to serve God and God alone.

2. The Idolatry and Worship of Baal was Destroyed. Vs. 17
The temples, altars, and images of Baal were shattered by the people.
a. Sin must be forsaken and overthrown.
b. God must reign supreme over all.

3. The Worship of Jehovah