2 Chronicles 23:16-24:16 (October 13, 2025)

Jehoiada's Reforms

16 And Jehoiada made a covenant between himself and all the people and the king that they should be the Lord's people. 17 Then all the people went to the house of Baal and tore it down; his altars and his images they broke in pieces, and they killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. 18 And Jehoiada posted watchmen for the house of the Lord under the direction of the Levitical priests and the Levites whom David had organized to be in charge of the house of the Lord, to offer burnt offerings to the Lord, as it is written in the Law of Moses, with rejoicing and with singing, according to the order of David. 19 He stationed the gatekeepers at the gates of the house of the Lord so that no one should enter who was in any way unclean. 20 And he took the captains, the nobles, the governors of the people, and all the people of the land, and they brought the king down from the house of the Lord, marching through the upper gate to the king's house. And they set the king on the royal throne. 21 So all the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet after Athaliah had been put to death with the sword.

24:1 Joash was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Zibiah of Beersheba. 2 And Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest. 3 Jehoiada got for him two wives, and he had sons and daughters.

4 After this Joash decided to restore the house of the Lord. 5 And he gathered the priests and the Levites and said to them, “Go out to the cities of Judah and gather from all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that you act quickly.” But the Levites did not act quickly. 6 So the king summoned Jehoiada the chief and said to him, “Why have you not required the Levites to bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax levied by Moses, the servant of the Lord, and the congregation of Israel for the tent of testimony?” 7 For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken into the house of God, and had also used all the dedicated things of the house of the Lord for the Baals.

8 So the king commanded, and they made a chest and set it outside the gate of the house of the Lord. 9 And proclamation was made throughout Judah and Jerusalem to bring in for the Lord the tax that Moses the servant of God laid on Israel in the wilderness. 10 And all the princes and all the people rejoiced and brought their tax and dropped it into the chest until they had finished. 11 And whenever the chest was brought to the king's officers by the Levites, when they saw that there was much money in it, the king's secretary and the officer of the chief priest would come and empty the chest and take it and return it to its place. Thus they did day after day, and collected money in abundance. 12 And the king and Jehoiada gave it to those who had charge of the work of the house of the Lord, and they hired masons and carpenters to restore the house of the Lord, and also workers in iron and bronze to repair the house of the Lord. 13 So those who were engaged in the work labored, and the repairing went forward in their hands, and they restored the house of God to its proper condition and strengthened it. 14 And when they had finished, they brought the rest of the money before the king and Jehoiada, and with it were made utensils for the house of the Lord, both for the service and for the burnt offerings, and dishes for incense and vessels of gold and silver. And they offered burnt offerings in the house of the Lord regularly all the days of Jehoiada.

15 But Jehoiada grew old and full of days, and died. He was 130 years old at his death. 16 And they buried him in the city of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, and toward God and his house.

Faith Restored—and Forgotten

Summary

After Athaliah’s death, Jehoiada the priest led Judah in covenant renewal. He gathered the people and the king and made a solemn covenant “that they should be the Lord’s people” (23:16). Immediately, the people tore down the temple of Baal, smashed its altars and images, and killed Mattan, the priest of Baal. Worship in the true temple was restored, priests were reinstated according to David’s order, and sacrifices and songs filled Jerusalem again. The city rejoiced, for God had turned their darkness into light.

Under Jehoiada’s guidance, young King Joash repaired the temple and revived true worship. A chest was set up to collect offerings for the restoration of God’s house (24:8–10). The people gave gladly, and the temple was repaired and strengthened. As long as Jehoiada lived, Joash “did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.” Jehoiada himself lived to be 130 years old. He was honored as a faithful shepherd and buried among the kings because “he had done good in Israel, toward God and his house” (24:16).

But the seeds of decline were already present. Joash’s faith was dependent on Jehoiada’s presence. When the priest died, the king’s heart would drift again.

Who is God?

God is the covenant-keeping reformer of His people. He raises faithful leaders, such as Jehoiada, to call His people back to Himself. God delights in covenant renewal. He delights in hearts that rediscover obedience and joy in worship. Yet He also reveals that true faith must rest in Him, not merely in human mentors or movements. God’s faithfulness outlasts even the best of leaders.

What is Our Guilt?

We are guilty of conditional faith. We tend to exercise our "faith" only when our spiritual guides are present. Like Joash, we depend much more on human influence than on God Himself.

Our biggest mistake is that we speak of revival but neglect daily renewal. We may rebuild temples of stone while our hearts grow indifferent. When faith becomes borrowed rather than owned, decline is inevitable.

How Does Grace Shine?

Grace shines in God’s relentless call to renewal. Through Jehoiada, He restored the covenant; through Christ, He renews it forever. Jesus is the greater High Priest who not only reforms the temple but also becomes its cornerstone. He calls His people to a living covenant sealed in His blood. Even when human leaders die and memories fade, the risen Christ continues to lead His church. Grace preserves what human zeal cannot sustain. Hallelujah!

Prayer

O Lord, our covenant God,

You are faithful through every generation.

Forgive us for trusting in people more than in You.

Thank You for raising faithful servants who point us back to Your Word.

Renew in us a steadfast spirit to seek You daily,

to love Your house, and to live as Your covenant people.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray. Amen.