JOASH/JEHOASH REPAIRS THE TEMPLE 2 KINGS 12:1-21

Transcription

1 1 JOASH/JEHOASH REPAIRS THE TEMPLE 2 KINGS 12:1-21

2 2 Joash/Jehoash Repairs the Temple Text: 2 Kings 12:1-21, 1. In the seventh year of Jehu, Joash became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years. His mother s name was Zibiah; she was from Beersheba. 2. Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him. 3. The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. 4. Joash said to the priests, Collect all the money that is brought as sacred offerings to the temple of the LORD the money collected in the census, the money received from personal vows and the money brought voluntarily to the temple. 5. Let every priest receive the money from one of the treasurers, and let it be used to repair whatever damage is found in the temple. 6. But by the twenty-third year of King Joash the priests still had not repaired the temple. 7. Therefore King Joash summoned Jehoiada the priest and the other priests and asked them, Why aren t you repairing the damage done to the temple? Take no more money from your treasurers, but hand it over for repairing the temple. 8. The priests agreed that they would not collect any more money from the people and that they would not repair the temple themselves. 9. Jehoiada the priest took a chest and bored a hole in its lid. He placed it beside the altar, on the right side as one enters the temple of the LORD. The priests who guarded the entrance

3 3 put into the chest all the money that was brought to the temple of the LORD. 10. Whenever they saw that there was a large amount of money in the chest, the royal secretary and the high priest came, counted the money that had been brought into the temple of the LORD and put it into bags. 11. When the amount had been determined, they gave the money to the men appointed to supervise the work on the temple. With it they paid those who worked on the temple of the LORD the carpenters and builders, 12. the masons and stonecutters. They purchased timber and dressed stone for the repair of the temple of the LORD, and met all the other expenses of restoring the temple. 13. The money brought into the temple was not spent for making silver basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, trumpets or any other articles of gold or silver for the temple of the LORD; 14. it was paid to the workmen, who used it to repair the temple. 15. They did not require an accounting from those to whom they gave the money to pay the workers, because they acted with complete honesty. 16. The money from the guilt offerings and sin offerings was not brought into the temple of the LORD; it belonged to the priests. 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 palace, and he sent them to Hazael king of Aram, who then withdrew from Jerusalem.

4 4 19. As for the other events of the reign of Joash, and all he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? 20. His officials conspired against him and assassinated him at Beth Millo, on the road down to Silla. 21. The officials who murdered him were Jozabad son of Shimeath and Jehozabad son of Shomer. He died and was buried with his fathers in the City of David. And Amaziah his son succeeded him as king. (NIV 1984) Introduction: I. 2 Chronicles 24:1-27, Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years. His mother s name was Zibiah; she was from Beersheba. Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the years of Jehoiada the priest. Jehoiada chose two wives for him, and he had sons and daughters. Some time later Joash decided to restore the temple of the LORD. He called together the priests and Levites and said to them, Go to the towns of Judah and collect the money due annually from all Israel, to repair the temple of your God. Do it now. But the Levites did not act at once. Therefore the king summoned Jehoiada the chief priest and said to him, Why haven t you required the Levites to bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax imposed by Moses the servant of the LORD and by the assembly of Israel for the Tent of the Testimony? Now the sons of that wicked woman Athaliah had broken into the temple of God and had used even its sacred objects for the Baals. At the king s command, a chest was made and placed outside, at the gate of the temple of the LORD. A proclamation was then issued in Judah and Jerusalem that they should bring to the LORD the tax that Moses the servant of God had required of Israel in the desert. All the officials and all the people brought their contributions gladly, dropping them into the chest until it was full.

5 5 Whenever the chest was brought in by the Levites to the king s officials and they saw that there was a large amount of money, the royal secretary and the officer of the chief priest would come and empty the chest and carry it back to its place. They did this regularly and collected a great amount of money. The king and Jehoiada gave it to the men who carried out the work required for the temple of the LORD. They hired masons and carpenters to restore the LORD s temple, and also workers in iron and bronze to repair the temple. 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. When they had finished, they brought the rest of the money to the king and Jehoiada, and with it were made articles for the LORD s temple: articles for the service and for the burnt offerings, and also dishes and other objects of gold and silver. As long as Jehoiada lived, burnt offerings were presented continually in the temple of the LORD. Now Jehoiada was old and full of years, and he died at the age of a hundred and thirty. He was buried with the kings in the City of David, because of the good he had done in Israel for God and his temple. After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them. They abandoned the temple of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols. Because of their guilt, God s anger came upon Judah and Jerusalem. Although the LORD sent prophets to the people to bring them back to him, and though they testified against them, they would not listen. Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, This is what God says: Why do you disobey the LORD s commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the LORD, he has forsaken you. But they plotted against him, and by order of the king they stoned him to death in the courtyard of the LORD s temple. King Joash did not remember the kindness Zechariah s father Jehoiada

6 6 had shown him but killed his son, who said as he lay dying, May the LORD see this and call you to account. At the turn of the year, the army of Aram marched against Joash; it invaded Judah and Jerusalem and killed all the leaders of the people. They sent all the plunder to their king in Damascus. Although the Aramean army had come with only a few men, the LORD delivered into their hands a much larger army. Because Judah had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers, judgment was executed on Joash. When the Arameans withdrew, they left Joash severely wounded. His officials conspired against him for murdering the son of Jehoiada the priest, and they killed him in his bed. So he died and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings. Those who conspired against him were Zabad, son of Shimeath an Ammonite woman, and Jehozabad, son of Shimrith a Moabite woman. The account of his sons, the many prophecies about him, and the record of the restoration of the temple of God are written in the annotations on the book of the kings. And Amaziah his son succeeded him as king. (NIV 1984) A. 2 Kings is much more sympathetic toward Joash/Jehoash than is 2 Chronicles Kings omits various negative reports of Joash s atrocities which 2 Chronicles includes. (The Pulpit Commentary) II. Coffman observed that more than a full century had passed since the death of Solomon, the builder of the temple, and the actual beginning of temple repairs that can be dated to the twentythird (23 rd ) year of Joash s reign. A. The need for temple repairs can be attributed to the effects of time and neglect, and...

7 7 B. the destructive effects of wicked Athaliah on the temple. C. The temple was in serious need of repair. Commentary: 2 Kings 12:1, In the seventh year of Jehu, Joash became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem forty years. His mother s name was Zibiah; she was from Beersheba. (NIV 1984) I. In the seventh year of Jehu, Joash/Jehoash became king; and he reigned in Jerusalem forty (40) years. A. For over half of Joash s/jehoash s reign of forty (40) years ( B.C.), the priest Jehoiada was his counselor. (Smith) 1. While under the guidance of Jehoiada, Joash/Jehoash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. B. The elevation of Joash/Jehoash to the throne of Judah was a time of great expectation. 1. While Joash/Jehoash did many good things especially when guided by Jehoiada, he did not remove the high places, certainly did not treat Zechariah the son of Jehoiada justly, and paid Hazael heavy tribute from the temple. 2. God was definitely displeased with Joash/Jehoash after Jehoiada died! II. His mother s name was Zibiah; she was from Beersheba.

8 8 A. This clearly states Zibiah, not Athaliah, was Joash s mother, and that she was a native of Beersheba, Judah s southernmost town of significance. B. McGee suggested mothers names were often given because mothers have tremendous influence on their sons. C. Josephus refers to Joash s/jehoash s mother as Sabia. 2 Kings 12:2, Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him. (NIV 1984) I. Joash/Jehoash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the years Jehoiada the priest instructed him. A. As long as Jehoiada lived and Joash heeded his advice, Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. B. Jehoiada instructed Joash/Jehoash in the Word of God. 1. Joash/Jehoash knew the Word of God, but after Jehoiada died, he did not continue to obey it. 2. Why do some who know the Bible not live by its teachings? 2 Kings 12:3, The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. (NIV 1984) I. The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there.

9 9 A. However, Joash/Jehoash left some important things unattended; that is, the pagan high places were still used for idol worship and sacrifice evidently even while Jehoiada lived. B. After righteous Jehoiada died, Joash/Jehoash departed from the worship of the true God, lapsed into idolatry, and seems to have had a share in the murder of Zechariah, Jehoiada s son, who testified against Joash s/jehoash s transgression, Clarke wrote Chronicles 24:17-20, After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them. They abandoned the temple of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols. Because of their guilt, God s anger came upon Judah and Jerusalem. Although the LORD sent prophets to the people to bring them back to him, and though they testified against them, they would not listen. Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, This is what God says: Why do you disobey the LORD s commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the LORD, he has forsaken you. (NIV 1984) 2. How very few of those who begin to live for God remain faithful until death? C. Failure to destroy idolatrous high places (sacrificial sites) was a continuing problem. (The Pulpit Commentary)

10 10 1. Asa a. 1 Kings 15:14, Although he did not remove the high places, Asa s heart was fully committed to the LORD all his life. (NIV 1984) 2. Jehoashaphat a. 1 Kings 22:41-43, Jehoshaphat son of Asa became king of Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel. Jehoshaphat was thirtyfive years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-five years. His mother s name was Azubah daughter of Shilhi. In everything he walked in the ways of his father Asa and did not stray from them; he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD. The high places, however, were not removed, and the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. (NIV 1984) 3. Amaziah a. 2 Kings 14:1-4, In the second year of Jehoash son of Jehoahaz king of Israel, Amaziah son of Joash king of Judah began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem twenty-nine years. His mother s name was Jehoaddin; she was from Jerusalem. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, but not as his father David had done. In everything he followed the example of his father Joash. The high places, however, were not removed; the people

11 11 4. Azariah continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. (NIV 1984) a. 2 Kings 15:4, In the twenty-seventh year of Jeroboam king of Israel, Azariah son of Amaziah king of Judah began to reign. He was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem fifty-two years. His mother s name was Jecoliah; she was from Jerusalem. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Amaziah had done. The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. (NIV 1984) 5. Jotham a. 2 Kings 15:32-35, In the second year of Pekah son of Remaliah king of Israel, Jotham son of Uzziah king of Judah began to reign. He was twenty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem sixteen years. His mother s name was Jerusha daughter of Zadok. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, just as his father Uzziah had done. The high places, however, were not removed; the people continued to offer sacrifices and burn incense there. Jotham rebuilt the Upper Gate of the temple of the LORD. (NIV 1984) D. The people had also worshiped Jehovah at high places on occasion.

12 12 2 Kings 12:4, Joash said to the priests, Collect all the money that is brought as sacred offerings to the temple of the LORD the money collected in the census, the money received from personal vows and the money brought voluntarily to the temple. (NIV 1984) I. Joash/Jehoash said to the priests, Collect all the money that is brought as sacred offerings to the temple at the LORD the money collected in the census, the money received from personal vows and the money brought voluntarily to the temple. A. When Joash/Jehoash reached manhood, he set about to restore the temple. (Smith) 1. Joash was now his own man, not subservient to the priests. B. The temple began to fall into disrepair during the reign of Athaliah Chronicles 24:7, Now the sons of that wicked woman Athaliah had broken into the temple of God and had used even its sacred objects for the Baals. (NIV 1984) C. At least three (3) kinds of offerings are mentioned in this verse. (Long) 1. Money collected in the census. a. Exodus 30:11-16, Then the LORD said to Moses, When you take a census of the Israelites to count them, each one must pay the LORD a ransom for his life at the time he is counted. Then no plague will come on them

13 13 when you number them. Each one who crosses over to those already counted is to give a half shekel, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. This half shekel is an offering to the LORD. All who cross over, those twenty years old or more, are to give an offering to the LORD. The rich are not to give more than a half shekel and the poor are not to give less when you make the offering to the LORD to atone for your lives. Receive the atonement money from the Israelites and use it for the service of the Tent of Meeting. It will be a memorial for the Israelites before the LORD, making atonement for your lives. (NIV 1984) 2. Money received from personal vows. a. Leviticus 27:1-34, The LORD said to Moses, Speak to the Israelites and say to them: If anyone makes a special vow to dedicate persons to the LORD by giving equivalent values, set the value of a male between the ages of twenty and sixty at fifty shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel; and if it is a female, set her value at thirty shekels. If it is a person between the ages of five and twenty, set the value of a male at twenty shekels and of a female at ten shekels. If it is a person between one month and five years, set the value of a male at five shekels of silver and that of a female at three shekels of silver. If it is a person sixty years old or more, set the value of a male at fifteen shekels and of a female at ten shekels. If anyone making the vow is too poor to pay the specified amount, he is to present the

14 14 person to the priest, who will set the value for him according to what the man making the vow can afford. If what he vowed is an animal that is acceptable as an offering to the LORD, such an animal given to the LORD becomes holy. He must not exchange it or substitute a good one for a bad one, or a bad one for a good one; if he should substitute one animal for another, both it and the substitute become holy. If what he vowed is a ceremonially unclean animal one that is not acceptable as an offering to the LORD the animal must be presented to the priest, who will judge its quality as good or bad. Whatever value the priest then sets, that is what it will be. If the owner wishes to redeem the animal, he must add a fifth to its value. If a man dedicates his house as something holy to the LORD, the priest will judge its quality as good or bad. Whatever value the priest then sets, so it will remain. If the man who dedicates his house redeems it, he must add a fifth to its value, and the house will again become his. If a man dedicates to the LORD part of his family land, its value is to be set according to the amount of seed required for it fifty shekels of silver to a homer of barley seed. If he dedicates his field during the Year of Jubilee, the value that has been set remains. But if he dedicates his field after the Jubilee, the priest will determine the value according to the number of years that remain until the next Year of Jubilee, and its set value will be reduced. If the man who dedicates the field wishes to redeem it, he must add a fifth to its

15 15 value, and the field will again become his. If, however, he does not redeem the field, or if he has sold it to someone else, it can never be redeemed. When the field is released in the Jubilee, it will become holy, like a field devoted to the LORD; it will become the property of the priests. If a man dedicates to the LORD a field he has bought, which is not part of his family land, the priest will determine its value up to the Year of Jubilee, and the man must pay its value on that day as something holy to the LORD. In the Year of Jubilee the field will revert to the person from whom he bought it, the one whose land it was. Every value is to be set according to the sanctuary shekel, twenty gerahs to the shekel. No one, however, may dedicate the firstborn of an animal, since the firstborn already belongs to the LORD; whether an ox or a sheep, it is the LORD s. If it is one of the unclean animals, he may buy it back at its set value, adding a fifth of the value to it. If he does not redeem it, it is to be sold at its set value. But nothing that a man owns and devotes to the LORD whether man or animal or family land may be sold or redeemed; everything so devoted is most holy to the LORD. No person devoted to destruction may be ransomed; he must be put to death. A tithe of everything from the land, whether grain from the soil or fruit from the trees, belongs to the LORD; it is holy to the LORD. If a man redeems any of his tithe, he must add a fifth of the value to it. The entire tithe of the herd and flock every tenth animal that passes under the shepherd s rod will be

16 16 holy to the LORD. He must not pick out the good from the bad or make any substitution. If he does make a substitution, both the animal and its substitute become holy and cannot be redeemed. These are the commands the LORD gave Moses on Mount Sinai for the Israelites. (NIV 1984) b. Numbers 18:15-16, The first offspring of every womb, both man and animal, that is offered to the LORD is yours. But you must redeem every firstborn son and every firstborn male of unclean animals. When they are a month old, you must redeem them at the redemption price set at five shekels of silver, according to the sanctuary shekel, which weighs twenty gerahs. (NIV 1984) 3. Money brought voluntarily (free-will offerings) to the temple. a. Exodus 35:4-29, Moses said to the whole Israelite community, This is what the LORD has commanded: From what you have, take an offering for the LORD. Everyone who is willing is to bring to the LORD an offering of gold, silver and bronze; blue, purple and scarlet yarn and fine linen; goat hair; ram skins dyed red and hides of sea cows; acacia wood; olive oil for the light; spices for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense; and onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece. All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the LORD has commanded: the

17 17 tabernacle with its tent and its covering, clasps, frames, crossbars, posts and bases; the ark with its poles and the atonement cover and the curtain that shields it; the table with its poles and all its articles and the bread of the Presence; the lampstand that is for light with its accessories, lamps and oil for the light; the altar of incense with its poles, the anointing oil and the fragrant incense; the curtain for the doorway at the entrance to the tabernacle; the altar of burnt offering with its bronze grating, its poles and all its utensils; the bronze basin with its stand; the curtains of the courtyard with its posts and bases, and the curtain for the entrance to the courtyard; the tent pegs for the tabernacle and for the courtyard, and their ropes; the woven garments worn for ministering in the sanctuary both the sacred garments for Aaron the priest and the garments for his sons when they serve as priests. Then the whole Israelite community withdrew from Moses presence, and everyone who was willing and whose heart moved him came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the Tent of Meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments. All who were willing, men and women alike, came and brought gold jewelry of all kinds: brooches, earrings, rings and ornaments. They all presented their gold as a wave offering to the LORD. Everyone who had blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen, or goat hair, ram skins dyed red or hides of sea cows brought them. Those presenting an offering of silver or bronze brought it as an offering to the LORD,

18 18 and everyone who had acacia wood for any part of the work brought it. Every skilled woman spun with her hands and brought what she had spun blue, purple or scarlet yarn or fine linen. And all the women who were willing and had the skill spun the goat hair. The leaders brought onyx stones and other gems to be mounted on the ephod and breastpiece. They also brought spices and olive oil for the light and for the anointing oil and for the fragrant incense. All the Israelite men and women who were willing brought to the LORD freewill offerings for all the work the LORD through Moses had commanded them to do. (NIV 1984) D. The temple appears to have fallen into a serious state of disrepair from neglect and abuse Chronicles 24:7, Now the sons of that wicked woman Athaliah had broken into the temple of God and had used even its sacred objects for the Baals. (NIV 1984) 2. Joash/Jehoash may well have had a special emotional tie to the temple because it had been his home for six (6) years. 2 Kings 12:5, Let every priest receive the money from one of the treasurers, and let it be used to repair whatever damage is found in the temple. (NIV 1984) I. Let every priest receive the money from one of the treasurers, and let it be used to repair whatever damage is found in the temple.

19 19 A. Whatever money is collected from one of the treasurers was to be used to repair damage the temple had sustained Chronicles 24:5, He called together the priests and Levites and said to them, Go to the towns of Judah and collect the money due annually from all Israel, to repair the temple of your God. Do it now. But the Levites did not act at once. (NIV 1984) B. However, this money was not used for temple repair, but for personal needs of the priests. 1. Why would Jehoiada have allowed such a thing to happen? C. The temple s damage may have been caused by neglect of previous kings such as Jehoram and Ahaziah and willful violence by Athaliah Chronicles 24:7, Now the sons of that wicked woman Athaliah had broken into the temple of God and had used even its sacred objects for the Baals. (NIV 1984) 2 Kings 12:6, But by the twenty-third year of King Joash the priests still had not repaired the temple. (NIV 1984) I. But by the twenty-third year of King Joash/Jehoash, the priests still had not repaired the temple. A. The priests, however, showed no urgency about collecting those funds, (Smith) and may have diverted funds to their personal use. (Coffman)

20 20 B. Joash/Jehoash, having reigned twenty-three (23) years, was now thirty (30) years of age. 1. The priests were not charged with malfeasance or embezzlement. They had simply been negligent. Probably very little money had come in, and they had not been very active in their endeavors to obtain larger contributions. (The Pulpit Commentary) 2. Also, if the money given to repair the temple were deducted from the priests support, it is easy to see why the building program was not enthusiastically supported by the priests. (The Pulpit Commentary) 3. Jesus began his ministry at age thirty (30), Joash s age at this time. 4. It seems that by taking charge of the remodeling of the temple Joash/Jehoash was assuming independent control of the duties and role of the king of Judah. (See Long.) 5. Some repairs may have been made, but at best not as many as should have been made. C. Without special encouragement, the contributions from Judah alone would not equal those of all twelve tribes as before the nation divided North and South. D. McGee wrote, The temple was in disrepair. It needed to be repaired. The priests took the money that was supposed to be used to repair the breaches of the temple and used it for other things.

21 21 1. McGee further said,...you can test Christians and churches by their use or abuse of money. E. We are not told how long it had been since the king issued orders to renovate the temple in the twenty-third (23 rd ) year of Joash s/jehoash s reign, but it had clearly been more than long enough. 1. Nothing had been done due to priestly inactivity, negligence and misappropriation of funds Chronicles 24:5, He called together the priests and Levites and said to them, Go to the towns of Judah and collect the money due annually from all Israel, to repair the temple of your God. Do it now. But the Levites did not act at once. (NIV 1984) 3. The king acted to correct the situation! F. Clarke wrote, It seems that the people had brought money in abundance, and the pious Jehoiada was over the priests, and yet nothing was done! 2 Kings 12:7, Therefore King Joash summoned Jehoiada the priest and the other priests and asked them, Why aren t you repairing the damage done to the temple? Take no more money from your treasurers, but hand it over for repairing the temple. (NIV 1984) I. Therefore King Joash/Jehoash summoned Jehoiada the priest and the other priests and asked them,... A. Joash/Jehoash worked out a new fund raising program in conjunction with Jehoiada and the other priests.

22 22 B. Joash/Jehoash is clearly in charge and Jehoiada is in a subordinate position. (See Long.) 1. However, the king did not rebuke, did not take matters into his own hands, but consulted with the priests as to how best to expedite the repairs. (The Pulpit Commentary) a. 2 Chronicles 24:6, Therefore the king summoned Jehoiada the chief priest and said to him, Why haven t you required the Levites to bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax imposed by Moses the servant of the LORD and by the assembly of Israel for the Tent of the Testimony? (NIV 1984) II. Why aren t you repairing the damage done to the temple? A. It is somewhat difficult to understand why Jehoiada, who had been the master mind in the elevation of Joash to the throne, was slow to repair the temple. 1. Perhaps age was a factor. B. While previous contributions may not have been dishonestly used, they had been misappropriated in that they had not been used to repair the temple. 1. At this point Joash appears to be a righteous king. (Long) C. Joash demanded to know why repairs of the temple had not been made as ordered.

23 23 III. Take no more money from your treasurers, but hand it over for repairing the temple. A. Contributions were to go directly for temple repairs. 1. No longer were the priests to take money given for temple repairs and misappropriate it for their own use. 2. This revoked the order given in 2 Kings 12:5, Let every priest receive the money from one of the treasurers, and let it be used to repair whatever damage is found in the temple. (NIV 1984) B. Two changes were made; namely, A chest was set up in the temple court by which multitudes passed and into which contributions were to be placed. 2. The contributions were counted in a timely manner and given to the supervisors who were responsible for securing craftsmen, directing the work, and paying the workers. 3. In a few years the temple had been renovated. (The Pulpit Commentary) a. 2 Chronicles 24:13-14, 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. When they had finished, they brought the rest of the money to the king and Jehoiada, and with it were made articles for the LORD s temple: articles for the service

24 24 and for the burnt offerings, and also dishes and other objects of gold and silver. As long as Jehoiada lived, burnt offerings were presented continually in the temple of the LORD. (NIV 1984) 2 Kings 12:8, The priests agreed that they would not collect any more money from the people and that they would not repair the temple themselves. (NIV 1984) I. The priests agreed that they would not collect any more money from the people and that they would not repair the temple themselves. A. The priests were to do no repair work and would, therefore, be entitled to no money for temple repair work! B. The priests, having failed to repair the temple, were relieved of their duties to personally repair the temple and from personally collecting funds for the projects. C. The priests were no longer in charge of renovating the temple nor for paying the workers. 1. The king was now in charge, but this was not an altogether good thing. (See Coffman.) 2. The priesthood of that day was not what it should have been and became worse with the passage of time. a. Malachi 2:1-2, And now this admonition is for you, O priests. If you do not listen, and if you do not set your heart to honor my name, says the LORD Almighty, I will send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings. Yes,

25 25 I have already cursed them, because you have not set your heart to honor me. (NIV 1984) 2 Kings 12:9, Jehoiada the priest took a chest and bored a hole in its lid. He placed it beside the altar, on the right side as one enters the temple of the LORD. The priests who guarded the entrance put into the chest all the money that was brought to the temple of the LORD. (NIV 1984) I. Jehoiada the priest took a chest and bored a hole in its lid. A. Worshipers would pass by this collection box and would be asked to give for the purpose of renovating the temple. 1. For convenience it was later placed outside the temple gate. B. Coffman noted that this was evidently a new thing, that this is the first reference in the Bible to a collection box. 1. Jehoiada made the chest at the king s commandment. a. 2 Chronicles 24:8, At the king s command, a chest was made and placed outside, at the gate of the temple of the LORD. (NIV 1984) C. Jehoiada was greatly blessed for his service to the Lord. 1. He lived to the great age of one hundred thirty (130) years. a. 2 Chronicles 24:14-15, When they had finished, they brought the rest of the money to the king and Jehoiada, and with it were made articles for the LORD s temple: articles for the

26 26 service and for the burnt offerings, and also dishes and other objects of gold and silver. As long as Jehoiada lived, burnt offerings were presented continually in the temple of the LORD. Now Jehoiada was old and full of years, and he died at the age of a hundred and thirty. (NIV 1984) 2. When he died he was given the extra ordinary honor of being buried in the royal tombs in Jerusalem. (See Coffman.) D. This chest was introduced so the priests could not misappropriate donations for their own use and the people could have verification of the amounts given. 1. Is misappropriation of funds a problem in today s church? II. He placed it beside the altar, on the right side as one enters the temple of the LORD. A. The altar here referenced is the altar of burnt offerings and was placed outside the sanctuary Chronicles 24:8-9, At the king s command, a chest was made and placed outside, at the gate of the temple of the LORD. A proclamation was then issued in Judah and Jerusalem that they should bring to the LORD the tax that Moses the servant of God had required of Israel in the desert. (NIV 1984) III. The priests who guarded the entrance put into the chest all the money that was brought to the temple of the LORD.

27 27 A. The people gave their contributions to the priests who placed all donations into the chest. 2 Kings 12:10, Whenever they saw that there was a large amount of money in the chest, the royal secretary and the high priest came, counted the money that had been brought into the temple of the LORD and put it into bags. (NIV 1984) I. Whenever they saw that there was a large amount of money in the chest, the royal secretary and the high priest came, counted the money that had been brought into the temple of the LORD and put it into bags. A. Jehoiada, the high priest, and a royal secretary would from time to time empty the contribution chest and count the money. B. Since the time of Joshua, the high priest had been called simply the priest. The restoration of the full title marks the increasing power of the priests and the diminishing power of the kings under the later monarchy. (The Pulpit Commentary) C. Putting money in bags tied at the top after counting was customary. (The Pulpit Commentary) 1. Proverbs 7:20, He took his purse filled with money and will not be home till full moon. (NIV 1984) 2. Isaiah 46:6, Some pour out gold from their bags and weigh out silver on the scales; they hire a goldsmith to make it into a god, and they bow down and worship it. (NIV 1984)

28 28 3. Haggai 1:6, You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it. (NIV 1984) 2 Kings 12:11, When the amount had been determined, they gave the money to the men appointed to supervise the work on the temple. With it they paid those who worked on the temple of the LORD the carpenters and builders, (NIV 1984) I. When the amount had been determined, they gave the money to the men appointed to supervise the work on the temple. A. Jehoiada and the royal secretary would then entrust the money to trusted supervisors who would employ and pay the craftsmen. (Smith) B. The Pulpit Commentary states,... no coins existed as yet; and the lumps of silver which passed as shekels and halfshekels, were of very uncertain weight. To know the value of the money in each bag, it was necessary not only to count the pieces, but to weigh each bag separately. II. With it they paid those who worked on the temple of the LORD the carpenters and builders,... A. The craftsmen were then paid by the supervisors for work performed. 2 Kings 12:12, the masons and stonecutters. They purchased timber and dressed stone for the repair of the temple of the LORD, and met all the other expenses of restoring the temple. (NIV 1984)

29 29 I. the masons and stone cutters. A. Long noted these crafts were very similar to those used to describe Solomon s temple workers Kings 5:15-18, Solomon had seventy thousand carriers and eighty thousand stonecutters in the hills, as well as thirty-three hundred foremen who supervised the project and directed the workmen. At the king s command they removed from the quarry large blocks of quality stone to provide a foundation of dressed stone for the temple. The craftsmen of Solomon and Hiram and the men of Gebal cut and prepared the timber and stone for the building of the temple. (NIV 1984) II. They purchased timber and dressed stone for the repair of the temple of the LORD, and... A. The temple, to require this kind of materials, had been greatly abused under Athaliah s rule and/or had fallen into sad decay. (Coffman) III. met all the other expenses of restoring the temple. A. Workers in iron and brass (bronze) were also involved in the temple repairs Chronicles 24:12, The king and Jehoiada gave it to the men who carried out the work required for the temple of the LORD. They hired masons and carpenters to restore the LORD s temple, and also workers in iron and bronze to repair the temple. (NIV 1984)

30 30 B. The temple had stood for a hundred and thirty-six (136) years and up to this time it had, so far as we know, undergone no repairs at all. (The Pulpit Commentary) C. The work to be done was extensive and these supervisors were in charge of the entire construction project. (The Pulpit Commentary) 2 Kings 12:13, The money brought into the temple was not spent for making silver basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, trumpets or any other articles of gold or silver for the temple of the LORD; (NIV 1984) I. The money brought into the temple was not spent for making silver basins, wick trimmers, sprinkling bowls, trumpets or any other articles of gold or silver for the temple of the LORD;... A. This was postponed until later. 1. Temple vessels had been used on occasion by various kings to bribe foreign invaders. a. 1 Kings 14:25-26, In the fifth year of King Rehoboam, Shishak king of Egypt attacked Jerusalem. He carried off the treasures of the temple of the LORD and the treasures of the royal palace. He took everything, including all the gold shields Solomon had made. (NIV 1984) b. 1 Kings 15:18, Asa then took all the silver and gold that was left in the treasuries of the LORD s temple and of his own palace. He entrusted it to his officials and sent them to Ben-Hadad son of Tabrimmon, the son of

31 31 Hezion, the king of Aram, who was ruling in Damascus. (NIV 1984) 2. One such instance of this is reported later in this chapter. a. 2 Kings 12:17-19, About this time Hazael king of Aram went up and attacked Gath and captured it. Then he turned to attack Jerusalem. 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 palace, and he sent them to Hazael king of Aram, who then withdrew from Jerusalem. As for the other events of the reign of Joash, and all he did, are they not written in the book of the annals of the kings of Judah? (NIV 1984) B. Temple renovation took precedence over temple furnishings. 1. The furnishings were provided later when the renovation of the temple was completed. a. 2 Chronicles 24:14, When they had finished, they brought the rest of the money to the king and Jehoiada, and with it were made articles for the LORD s temple: articles for the service and for the burnt offerings, and also dishes and other objects of gold and silver. As long as Jehoiada lived, burnt offerings were presented

32 32 continually in the temple of the LORD. (NIV 1984) 2 Kings 12:14, it was paid to the workmen, who used it to repair the temple. (NIV 1984) I. It was paid to the workmen, who used it to repair the temple. A. The workers, in good business form, were paid in a timely manner. B. The supervisors spent the money entrusted to them honestly and prudently. 2 Kings 12:15, They did not require an accounting from those to whom they gave the money to pay the workers, because they acted with complete honesty. (NIV 1984) I. They did not require an accounting from those to whom they gave the money to pay the workers,... A. Those to whom the money was conveyed were trustworthy and honorable. 1. These men did not betray this confidence, but proved themselves to be fully trustworthy. 2. It would have been wise, even for these perfectly honest men, to have given account for every dollar entrusted to them. II. because they acted with complete honesty. A. In business, it is much better to deal with honest people.

33 33 B. What pain and sadness has been caused by human greed and selfishness! C. What is said here contrasts sharply with the way the priests had handled the renovation money previously! D. The contributions were clearly substantial which indicates the broad popular approval that existed for this project. 2 Kings 12:16, The money from the guilt offerings and sin offerings was not brought into the temple of the LORD; it belonged to the priests. (NIV 1984) I. The money from the guilt (trespass) offerings and sin offerings was not brought into the temple of the LORD;... A. This money was the priests support. 1. Even with the major temple renovation program underway, the priests were still supported, not neglected. II. it belonged to the priests. A. Numbers 5:5-10, The LORD said to Moses, Say to the Israelites: When a man or woman wrongs another in any way and so is unfaithful to the LORD, that person is guilty and must confess the sin he has committed. He must make full restitution for his wrong, add one fifth to it and give it all to the person he has wronged. But if that person has no close relative to whom restitution can be made for the wrong, the restitution belongs to the LORD and must be given to the priest, along with the ram with which atonement is made for him. All the sacred contributions the Israelites bring to a priest will belong to

34 34 him. Each man s sacred gifts are his own, but what he gives to the priest will belong to the priest. (NIV 1984) B. 1 Samuel 2:12-17, The LORD said to Moses, Say to the Israelites: When a man or woman wrongs another in any way and so is unfaithful to the LORD, that person is guilty and must confess the sin he has committed. He must make full restitution for his wrong, add one fifth to it and give it all to the person he has wronged. But if that person has no close relative to whom restitution can be made for the wrong, the restitution belongs to the LORD and must be given to the priest, along with the ram with which atonement is made for him. All the sacred contributions the Israelites bring to a priest will belong to him. Each man s sacred gifts are his own, but what he gives to the priest will belong to the priest. If the man said to him, Let the fat be burned up first, and then take whatever you want, the servant would then answer, No, hand it over now; if you don t, I ll take it by force. This sin of the young men was very great in the LORD s sight, for they were treating the LORD s offering with contempt. (NIV 1984) Note: The Pulpit Commentary states, A considerable gap occurred between verse 16 and 17. Not long after the completion of the repairs, Jehoiada, who had lived to a good old age in complete harmony with the monarch, expired. Joash/Jehoash then drifted into idolatry. Zechariah was killed. 2 Chronicles 24:15-18, 23, Now Jehoiada was old and full of years, and he died at the age of a hundred and thirty. He was buried with the kings in the City of David, because of the good he had done in Israel for God and his temple. After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them. They abandoned the temple of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and worshiped Asherah poles and

35 35 idols. Because of their guilt, God s anger came upon Judah and Jerusalem. At the turn of the year, the army of Aram marched against Joash; it invaded Judah and Jerusalem and killed all the leaders of the people. They sent all the plunder to their king in Damascus. (NIV 1984) 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. (NIV 1984) I. About this time Hazael king of Aram went up and attacked Gath and captured it. A. Jehoiada died at the age of 130. After his death Joash/Jehoash followed the advice of counselors who were sympathetic to paganism. The nation reverted to paganism and God s wrath came again on Judah. (Smith) 1. Prophets arose to call the people to repentance, but the people refused to listen. (Smith) a. 2 Chronicles 24:15-19, Now Jehoiada was old and full of years, and he died at the age of a hundred and thirty. He was buried with the kings in the City of David, because of the good he had done in Israel for God and his temple. After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them. They abandoned the temple of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols. Because of their guilt, God s anger came upon Judah and Jerusalem. Although the LORD sent prophets to the people to bring them back

36 36 to him, and though they testified against them, they would not listen. (NIV 1984) 2. Jehoiada s son Zechariah rebuked the people for transgressing God s commands. (Smith) a. At the command of Joash/Jehoash, the people conspired against Zechariah and stoned him to death in the temple court. b. Zechariah called out as he was dying, May Yahweh see and take vengeance! i. 2 Chronicles 24:20-22, Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, This is what God says: Why do you disobey the LORD s commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the LORD, he has forsaken you. But they plotted against him, and by order of the king they stoned him to death in the courtyard of the LORD s temple. King Joash did not remember the kindness 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. (NIV 1984) c. What an ingrate Joash/Jehoash turned out to be! Smith rightly declared. B. Smith wrote, After taking the Transjordan area from Israel, Hazael cast his eye upon the coastal plains of

37 37 Palestine. The city of Gath, which may have been under control of Judah, fell easily to him. Encouraged by this easy victory, the Aramean king took his small army into the mountain region where he defeated the army of Joash and took much spoil. Then he commenced the siege of Jerusalem. The date of this attack was 805 B.C Chronicles 11:5-8, Rehoboam lived in Jerusalem and built up towns for defense in Judah: Bethlehem, Etam, Tekoa, Beth Zur, Soco, Adullam, Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, (NIV 1984) 2. 2 Chronicles 24:23-27, At the turn of the year, the army of Aram marched against Joash; it invaded Judah and Jerusalem and killed all the leaders of the people. They sent all the plunder to their king in Damascus. Although the Aramean army had come with only a few men, the LORD delivered into their hands a much larger army. Because Judah had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers, judgment was executed on Joash. When the Arameans withdrew, they left Joash severely wounded. His officials conspired against him for murdering the son of Jehoiada the priest, and they killed him in his bed. So he died and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings. Those who conspired against him were Zabad, son of Shimeath an Ammonite woman, and Jehozabad, son of Shimrith a Moabite woman. The account of his sons, the many prophecies about him, and the record of the restoration of the temple of God are written in the annotations on the book of the kings. And Amaziah his son succeeded him as king. (NIV 1984)

38 Kings 12:17-18, About this time Hazael king of Aram went up and attacked Gath and captured it. Then he turned to attack Jerusalem. But Joash king of Judah took all the sacred objects dedicated by his predecessors 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 palace, and he sent them to Hazael king of Aram, who then withdrew from Jerusalem. (NIV 1984) 4. 2 Samuel 8:1, In the course of time, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Metheg Ammah from the control of the Philistines. (NIV 1984) 5. 1 Chronicles 18:1, In the course of time, David defeated the Philistines and subdued them, and he took Gath and its surrounding villages from the control of the Philistines. (NIV 1984) C. With no prior indication that a change was imminent, the subject changes to King Hazael and his attack on Jerusalem. D. Israel, Judah and the Philistines could not withstand Hazael s Syrian forces. 1. Gath was one of the five (5) major cities of the Philistines. a. 2 Chronicles 11:8, Gath, Mareshah, Ziph, (NIV 1984) b. 2 Chronicles 26:3-6, Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned