In 2 Chronicles 24:7, we are told the sons (more
likely to be her followers) of Athaliah had broken the house of God. They even
used the holy things of the house of the LORD for the Baals. Now in
2 Kings 12:4-8, Joash was said to give instructions for the repair of the house
of the LORD. Evidently, he had
now come of age and had control of the nation's administration. For such a
project to get going, funding of course was critical. So verses 4-6 describe
the instructions on how the funds that had been contributed for the upkeep of
the priests and the temple be used for the project.
No reason was given as to
why Jehoiada and the priests did not repair the temple despite the king’s
instruction. They apparently did not do a thing about it. The house of the LORD was left in a
dilapidated condition till the 23rd year of Joash’s reign. So
in verse 6, we are told that he intervened. He called for an accounting from
Jehoiada and the priests. He asked, “Why
do you not repair the damages of the house?” Joash then forbade them
from collecting any more money for temple repair and literally took the project
out of their hands.
It
is unsettling to
read of the priest’s lack of enthusiasm and responsibility in the restoration
work of the temple. Evidently, they had misused the fund for Joash to stop them
from handling it and the project altogether. We would have expected the priests
to be diligent and actively restore the damaged temple. They had clearly
reneged on their responsibility. Of all the people, they ought to be the ones
that would have more zeal for the LORD’s house. But alas, it was not!
What lessons have these few
verses for us believers whom 1 Peter 2:9 says are the royal priests of God? He
expects us to be people who are responsible not only for the building but also
the restoring of the Kingdom. Are we taking our responsibility seriously? Are
we enthusiastic about our calling? People who are responsible seek ways to
accomplish their assignments, and people who are not, will look for excuses.
Realizing that we are accountable to God, let us not be lukewarm in what is
expected of us. We must responsibly discharge our duty for Jesus our King with
enthusiasm.
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