18 June 2022
Then the spirit of God took possession of Zechariah son of the priest Jehoiada; he stood above the people and said to them, ‘Thus says God: Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, he has also forsaken you.’ But they conspired against him, and by command of the king they stoned him to death in the court of the house of the Lord.
From 2 Chronicles 24:17-25, NRSV
In yesterday’s Old Testament reading we heard about the restoration of the House of Judah. Today we hear that the efforts of the priest Jehoiada had not secured a lasting loyalty by the people and their king to their covenant with God. After Jehoiada’s death, they had again abandoned the God of their ancestors and turned to the worship of idols. God sent prophets to bring them back but they were unheeded. Jehoiada’s son, Zechariah attempted to warn the people of their fate. However, King Joash, in complete disregard of the vital part Zechariah’s father had played in bringing him to the throne, ordered the killing of Zechariah. Soon after this, Judah was defeated in a battle with the Arameans during which their treasures were taken and all their officials executed. King Joash was murdered by some of his own soldiers with his kingdom facing a period of decline.
- Why do you suppose the people of Judah had turned back so soon to the practice of idolatry?
- What can we do to remain loyal to our own relationship with God?
Pray for the grace to remain constant in faith.
