Bible Pathway - May 5, 2012

Highlights:

Athaliah seizes control of Judah; David's descendants destroyed except for baby Joash; Athaliah is slain; Jehoash repairs the Temple; death of Jehoash; Jehoahaz' evil reign; death of Elisha.

And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal (II Kin. 11:1).

Just nine years after the godly reign of Jehoshaphat, Athaliah seized control and became queen of the Southern Kingdom. Doing this struck a terrible blow as she tried to wipe out David's seed murdering all but one of Ahaziah's sons, Joash. Joash was hidden and carried away from the royal children. To put this wickedness into proper perspective, it needs only to be said that Athaliah murdered her own grandchildren.

Athaliah's wicked six-year reign was the result of a compromise which Jehoshaphat had made years earlier. He had arranged for his son to marry the daughter of the wicked idol-worshiping Ahab and Jezebel. As parents we should be aware that our personal associations can affect our families for generations to come.

Jehoshaphat had failed to consider that the "unequal yoke" of his son's marriage to Athaliah would one day destroy all the influence for godliness that he had spent his life building (I Thess. 5:5). It is sometimes hard to understand how one wrong choice could lead to such destruction. However, it is clear that is what happened here. It is vitally important to follow God's Word with all of our life choices (I Tim. 6:11).

The eventual destruction of Jerusalem and captivity of the chosen nation of Judah is easily traced to adopting the ways of unbelievers. Althaliah established the worship of Baal. Although all unbelievers may not worship false gods, the decision making process of the unbeliever still does not consider God or His Word in his walk in this world.

Many Christians are deceived and their usefulness to God destroyed because of close friendships with those who oppose the Lord. Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners (I Cor. 15:33). The call for Christians to not be entangled with the world applies to many relationships. It is often thought that these verses are limited to marriage, but this principle applies in any close relationships, business or personal.

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (II Cor. 6:14).

Thought for Today:

Like Jehoshaphat, some Christians today have discovered too late the danger of being unequally yoked with unbelievers.

Christ Portrayed:

By Jehoiada, the priest who protected Joash and, in holy judgment, had Athaliah put to death (II Kin. 11:4-16). Christ keeps us safe to fulfill His will and will return to judge all who obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (II Thess. 1:8).

Word Studies:

11:7 two parts, two companies; 11:8 compass, surround; 12:5 breaches, damaged places; 12:11 laid it out, paid it to them; 13:6 the grove, place to worship the goddess Asherah (Ashtoreth).

Prayer Needs:

Pray for Government Officials: Rep. Colleen W. Hanabusa (HI) and Rep. Charles Gonzalez (TX) • Country: China, Mainland (1.242 billion) in eastern Asia • Major languages: Standard Chinese (Putonghua) or Mandarin (based on the Beijing dialect) • Renewed persecution of the Church • 16% Asian (including Fulun Gong); 8% Buddhist; 3% Muslim; number of Christians unknown but growing; 10% Atheist • Prayer Suggestion: Confess and repent of any known sin (I John 1:9).

Optional Reading: Romans 8

Memory Verse for the Week: John 13:35