Where did you grow up? My brothers and I lived in ten different places, but we grew up in church. Maybe we did not live at the church, but mom made sure we were there every time the doors were open. Sunday morning and night, children’s and youth choirs, Wednesday night, we were there. Looking back, I’m pretty sure it didn’t harm me.
Joash grew up in the temple. Literally. When Jehu killed Ahaziah, the Queen mother Athaliah decided to kill the whole family. The deceased king’s sister and her husband Jehoiada rescued six-year-old Prince Joash. Turning from the idolatry of their culture, Jehoiada and Jehosheba his wife raised Joash at the temple and kept him safe from his tyrannical grandmother. Imagine if they made this into a television series.
At the age of seven, Joash ascended the throne with the help of Jehoiada. Like his ancestor Solomon, the young king started well by repairing the temple. But when Jehoiada, the priest, died, Joash lost his bearings and returned to idolatry. When Jehoiada’s son, the priest Zechariah spoke the truth to King Joash, they put him to death. Our testimony is never safe until we get home.
Joash grew older, but perhaps he never grew up at all. Six years in the temple did not ultimately prevail over the national atmosphere of idolatry. All of us come from a long line of ancestors. Some may have served the Lord. Others did not. What about us? Will we? Joshua had foreseen this day when idolatry would draw the hearts of people away, when he said to the people of God: “As for me and my house we will serve the Lord..”
If just one person in your family or mine decides to serve the Lord, it will have a generational impact. Will there be one in your family this generation? Choose this day whom you will serve. Who is on the Lord’s side?
