2 Kings 11:1-3 - And when Athaliah the mother of
Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the children of
King Ahaziah. But Jehosheba, the daughter of king Joram,
sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the
king's sons which were killed that day; and they hid him, even
him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not
slain. And he was with her hid in the house of the LORD six
years. And Athaliah did reign over the land.
It was one of those rare moments in Israel’s history when
God allowed a woman to be in control of the throne. She was a brutal woman….driven by the
emotions and grief of her murdered son….to destroy any other heirs to the
throne of Israel in king Ahaziah’s family.
The writer of this story doesn’t concentrate on the loss of
life here…but the saving of one small boy….and the courage…cunning…and heart of
the nurse Jehosheba. Somehow she managed
to take the small one year old child from among the many waiting to be killed…and
hid him in the temple… for 6 long years.
God touched the heart of this nurse…to save one descendant
of King David…so he could keep his promise to him. It was not a mere act of compassion…but an
urging of God that compelled this dedicated nurse to grab her charge…..and run
to the place where she knew he would be safe. God covered her effort to steal
the child away…then gave her the strength and provisions she needed to care for
him the 6 years she his him.
Her heart of compassion combined with the wisdom of the
priest ….allowed Joash to be taught about the ways of God in his purest sense. His wisdom of the scriptures….his love of God…and
his passion to turn the nation of Israel back to God at the age of seven
surpassed what most kings accomplished in their adult ages. The people rallied behind him to tear down
the idols of Baal and usher in a time of peace for Israel.
Sure does hit me smack in the heart this morning…to realize
that this 7 year old embraced the effort of this nurse to save his life and
choose to use the time to learn about God. And it reminds me that I never know
whose life I may be influencing when I take a stand for God like Jehosheba did.
God has a plan for our lives…and it may require some courage at times…and some perseverance
at others.
Father…thank you for this story that reminds me to take a
stand for what is right…and listen closely to the urges of the holy spirit tell
me what you need me to do. Help me
embrace the surrounding you have placed me in this season of life…and learn
what you need me to learn…so I can be a strong servant for you after I am
trained. Make the situations you have
placed me in training grounds to help others come to know your wonderful love.
Amen.
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