Imagine what you were doing at seven years of age. Need help? In our world you typically would be in first grade learning how to read, put words together in a sentence with one thought and do math equations.  Socially, you begin to realize that you are not the only one in the world but there are others like you who like playing more than working.  You are fidgety when put in one place to sit for more than five minutes.

You typical adore your teacher.  But you like the others in the room, too.  You like moving around curiously touching all objects in view. Some of you like talking to others while some of you like sitting quietly playing a game or messing with things that do not belong to you.  When you are focused on one thing you like; you do not want to be disturb.

Now, imagine a seven-year-old like yourself, being told one day to come to the Temple of the Lord to be anointed as King of Israel!  What are your thoughts, now? Evil is replaced by God with the innocence of a boy who becomes a king.  How will this work?

2 Kings 11

Athaliah and Joash

When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family. ² But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and sister of Ahaziah, took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes, who were about to be murdered. She put him and his nurse in a bedroom to hide him from Athaliah; so he was not killed. ³ He remained hidden with his nurse at the temple of the Lord for six years while Athaliah ruled the land.

⁴ In the seventh year Jehoiada sent for the commanders of units of a hundred, the Carites and the guards and had them brought to him at the temple of the Lord. He made a covenant with them and put them under oath at the temple of the Lord. Then he showed them the king’s son. ⁵ He commanded them, saying, “This is what you are to do: You who are in the three companies that are going on duty on the Sabbath—a third of you guarding the royal palace, ⁶ a third at the Sur Gate, and a third at the gate behind the guard, who take turns guarding the temple— ⁷ and you who are in the other two companies that normally go off Sabbath duty are all to guard the temple for the king. ⁸ Station yourselves around the king, each of you with weapon in hand. Anyone who approaches your ranks is to be put to death. Stay close to the king wherever he goes.”

⁹ The commanders of units of a hundred did just as Jehoiada the priest ordered. Each one took his men—those who were going on duty on the Sabbath and those who were going off duty—and came to Jehoiada the priest. ¹⁰ Then he gave the commanders the spears and shields that had belonged to King David and that were in the temple of the Lord. ¹¹ The guards, each with weapon in hand, stationed themselves around the king—near the altar and the temple, from the south side to the north side of the temple.

¹² Jehoiada brought out the king’s son and put the crown on him; he presented him with a copy of the covenant and proclaimed him king. They anointed him, and the people clapped their hands and shouted, “Long live the king!”

¹³ When Athaliah heard the noise made by the guards and the people, she went to the people at the temple of the Lord. ¹⁴ She looked and there was the king, standing by the pillar, as the custom was. The officers and the trumpeters were beside the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her robes and called out, “Treason! Treason!”

¹⁵ Jehoiada the priest ordered the commanders of units of a hundred, who were in charge of the troops: “Bring her out between the ranks and put to the sword anyone who follows her.” For the priest had said, “She must not be put to death in the temple of the Lord.” ¹⁶ So they seized her as she reached the place where the horses enter the palace grounds, and there she was put to death.

¹⁷ Jehoiada then made a covenant between the Lord and the king and people that they would be the Lord’s people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people. ¹⁸ All the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols to pieces and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.

Then Jehoiada the priest posted guards at the temple of the Lord. ¹⁹ He took with him the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, the guards and all the people of the land, and together they brought the king down from the temple of the Lord and went into the palace, entering by way of the gate of the guards. The king then took his place on the royal throne. ²⁰ All the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was calm, because Athaliah had been slain with the sword at the palace.

²¹ Joash was seven years old when he began to reign.

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

Joash, a baby son of a king was hidden until he was seven years old.  Then, God thought it was time to be brought forward to become King!  Under the guidance and mentorship of the priest Jehoiada who trusted and obeyed God.  He led Joash to purge the land of idolatry. The first order of business was to tear down the temple of Baal and destroy all that was associated with Baal! Later, Joash collected money and ordered the priests to repair the temple. When they failed, he brought in other workmen to complete the task. It always amazes us how God works through all kinds of people—and I think He loves it when we are amazed! 

What God does through the innocence of youth, the elderly who others think have nothing left to contribute, those crippled by life and set aside, the broken who are left in the dust, and the disheartened who seek something better—all ordinary people living ordinary lives are the very ones God brings to Himself to be mended and molded by His will and purpose. All people of all nations are loved by God who knows their hearts and their potential for He created all in His own image. God calls, prepares, equips, and sends His beloved to do tasks beyond human abilities to show the world His sovereignty, authority, power, compassion, love, mercy, and grace!  It’s all about God; less about ourselves. We yield to Him. God does not bend to our wishes. Be flexible.

In fact, the more we realize who God is and how He works; the more we begin to know and love like Him in ways that amaze us!  Love our enemies?  We do when we allow God’s love to work at full throttled power within us!  Forgive those who hurt and persecute us?  We are able when Jesus lives in us—for He is the secret. We forgive because Jesus, our Savior AND Lord forgave and forgives us when we fall for evil! We know what it’s like to be forgiven!

“For God wanted them to know that the riches and glory of Christ are for you Gentiles, too. And this is the secret: Christ lives in you. This gives you assurance of sharing his glory.”—Paul to the church, Colossians 1:27, and now to us.  Jesus is our Hope!  May God’s glory be seen in our lives!

Yes, God uses all people in His Kingdom work as well as His called and anointed priests and pastors. Sometimes the most effective workers God commands to do His work in our imperfect world in need of a Savior are just ordinary people like you and me.  We are all called to point the Way to God through Jesus our Lord who saved us from our sins and reconciled us to God! 

“So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God!” 2 Corinthians 5:20

By the authority given by God to Jesus, God commands us:

“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”—Jesus, Matthew 28:20

If a seven-year-old can become a king; what can God do in and through us?  Be amazingly different than the world expects!

New life with God begins with surrender to God. Let us offer all that is within us to God as an offering to Him.  It is in surrender that God opens our eyes to His perfect and pleasing will for us. (Romans 12:1-2) Pause to ask God right now what He wants to do in and through us for our good and most of all for His glory?  Who is the first person who knows and follows Jesus we will call to mentor us?  Who will we mentor in the work of God’s Kingdom?  God will answer prayers like this. Listen to Him.  Then praise and thank God from whom all blessings flow!

Lord,

Thank you for this beautiful story of a child who became a king. Thank you for the courage of your servant who against all odds did what you told him to do to rid your people of evil idol worship that distracted them from you.  Thank you for all the mentors throughout my life who led me back to you. Thank you for giving me opportunities to mentor others about you, telling them how to trust and obey your teaching. Thank you for cleansing my heart, renewing my mind, refreshing me soul and restoring the joy and peace of you in me and me in you—daily! I’m yours.  And I’m listening.

In Jesus Name, Amen