Jehoiada: Exerting Godly Influence

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INTRODUCTION

As you prepare to dive into the life of Jehoiada, perhaps you are not even aware that such a man existed! His name is not a prolific name in the biblical record. He appears nowhere in the New Testament, and nowhere in the Old Testament except for the brief accounts of his impact in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. He is not a king and only has a loose connection to one. No, Jehoiada is just a priest. Nonetheless, when God puts him into a position to exert influence for the good of God's people, Jehoiada's faithful action earns him a spot in the annals of Judah's exemplary leaders.

Jehoiada faced the challenge that almost all of us face. That is, how do we exert influence when we have so little power? After all, unless you are a political leader, a pastor, a military leader, a corporate boss, or a handful of other titles, you likely spend more time following the directives of some leader over you than giving directions to those under you. Just like Jehoiada had to find a way to leverage what minimal influence he had so that the kingdom of God could advance, we also find ourselves sometimes stuck in the middle of a power structure, yet wanting to make a difference. Such a position calls for skill, humility, and patience. Perhaps Jesus' commandment in Matthew 10:16 that we be "as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves" (NIV) is applicable. This is what business writers often call "managing upward" - finding a way to leverage what influence we do have on the right people for the maximum good.

Often, those who do this well are the most unknown. Norman Borlaug is probably the most unknown hero in the world, one whose accomplishments in horticulture and farming have saved the lives of a billion people. He is only one of five individuals to have won the Nobel prize, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the Congressional Gold Medal. The other four are Martin Luther King, Mother Theresa, Nelson Mandela, and Elie Wiesel. Borlaug was born poor and rejected by the University of Minnesota. Yet his work has helped reduce the percentage of the world's population experiencing hunger at some point each year from 60 percent (1960) to 14 percent. Just a normal scientist, Norman Borlaug used the small influence he had, and a billion people's lives are the better for it.

I. STAND FOR GOD'S WAYS (2 Chron. 22:10—23:3, 8-17)

Some time has expired since righteous Jehoshaphat completed his remarkable reign and breathed his last in the peace of God. In fact, despite the tremendous character of Jehoshaphat and his reign, Judah has been in chaos ever since his death. His son Jehoram proves to be a villainous tyrant, forsaking God to serve pagan idols. Upon Jehoram's atrocious death by the hand of Yahweh (21:18-19), his son Ahaziah takes the throne, simply because he is the only son left (22:1). Since he is the youngest son of Jehoram, he has not been adequately prepared to rule on his own. Thus, his mother, Athaliah, rises to become the ruler in proxy over Judah. When an unfortunate turn of events results in the death of Ahaziah, she has free reign over the kingdom. The results could destroy Judah altogether, were it not for an uncommon priest named Jehoiada.

A. Genocide in the House of Judah (22:10-12)

10. But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal of the house of Judah.

11. But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the king's sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the priest, (for she was the sister of Ahaziah,) hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not.

12. And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.

Upon the death of Ahaziah, Athaliah finally has no governance over her evil impulses. Impassioned to claim the throne for herself once and for all, she begins a murderous campaign on the royal court of Judah, slaughtering anyone with even the slightest connection to the throne. She misses baby Joash though, still so young that he requires a nurse.

Here we discover that Jehoiada is married to the former King Ahaziah's sister (v. 11). That is, he is the former king's brother-in-law and the son-in-law of the king before Ahaziah—Jehoram. Jehoiada finds himself faced with a critical choice. He does not have anywhere near the power of Athaliah, and he knows that sheltering Joash is nothing short of treason. Nonetheless, as God's priest, he submits to the divine law and will.

Like thousands of German heroes during the holocaust of World War II, who risked their lives to hide Jews in their homes, Jehoiada finds a way to raise Joash in the Temple and to keep him out of sight. Again, it is not just the business of raising a child at Jehoida's age that is important here; it is the risk involved. Athaliah is in complete control of the kingdom. Should she find out, not only will Joash be killed, but so will Jehoiada. Undoubtedly, he knows that he must have a plan to move the boy into power behind Athaliah's back without causing a stir among the people.

B. Behind-the-Scenes Organization (23:1-3)