Athaliah Overthrown
23 Then, in the seventh year, Jehoiada summoned his courage and took the commanders of hundreds into a covenant with him: Azariah son of Jeroham, Ishmael son of Jehohanan, Azariah son of Obed, Maaseiah son of Adaiah, and Elishaphat son of Zichri.
Joash was hidden for six years. Joash did not stay in hiding forever. We can learn that we may have to be in a place that no one knows we exist then God will present us to the world as his ambassador. Jehoiada is a high priest. Jehoiada called a meeting with men who had established the integrity of leadership with men in the military/ community. These were military commanders' captains of hundreds. Jehoiada was a man who thought strategically and planned this move by God's wisdom because you could be killed for speaking against the cruel leadership of Athaliah.
2 They made a circuit throughout Judah. They gathered the Levites from all the cities of Judah and the family heads of Israel, and they came to Jerusalem.
With confidence and fidelity, they walked in a planned path in Judah. Levites and leaders of families in Israel were professional businessmen who came together and met in Jerusalem. When we use descriptions such as professional and businessmen, we do not tend to think of people who are called of God. These words are characteristics of all believers who use God's knowledge to successfully make decisions in life for themselves and for those whom they serve.
3 Then the whole assembly made a covenant with the king in God’s temple. Jehoiada said to them, “Here is the king’s son! He will reign, just as the Lord promised concerning David’s sons.
When I first read that the assembled persons made a covenant with the king, I said what king? Since Athaliah had crowned herself queen, I was a little confused. Then I continued reading. Jehoiada was referring to the little boy, Joash. Joash was seven years old and he was king. Jehoiada announced the secret, here is the king's son. I know there was silence, confusion, and extreme joy all at the same time when the ears of those leaders heard that announcement! God's representation of being God is evident once more. Never underestimate anyone God chooses to be your next king.
4 This is what you are to do: a third of you, priests and Levites who are coming on duty on the Sabbath, are to be gatekeepers.
A gatekeeper is a person who watches over what enters and who exits. The first thing he appointed after the king was identified as the keeper of the gate. After we make Jesus Lord of our lives, we must put restrictions on what enters and leaves our lives. We are to guard our hearts with carefulness. We must watch how we live in all areas of life. Our friends, finances, food, and family, are a few categories we must keep the gate fully staffed. If we watch these few things we will have favor with both God and man.
5 A third are to be at the king’s palace, and a third are to be at the Foundation Gate, and all the troops will be in the courtyards of the Lord’s temple.
1/3 + 1/3 + all the rest will be in the courtyard. The military is aligning themselves without fear to protect a 7-year-old king better said, God's anointed king regardless of his age.
God does not call all of us to do the same thing. We all have our portions. When organizing we must consider who and where people will be placed to carry out the excellency of God; and also to maintain order to represent the King who dwells in our lives. If people recognize discipline in our lives that will attract them to want to know who our Father is. There is a spot for everyone in the body of Christ. Those who we see out- front such as our leaders and those who may work behind the SEEN(scene)(visible persons) who are the troops. Troops are equally as valuable as the commanders. We are special to God and have a rightful place in his body to complete his whole body. God labeled our parts and every joint is necessary to carry out his plan of salvation.
6 No one is to enter the Lord’s temple but the priests and those Levites who serve; they may enter because they are holy, but all the people are to obey the requirement of the Lord.
To see the kingdom of God, you must be born again. If you are not born again you cannot enter into the kingdom of God. Here the directions are a shadow of things to come. No one can come into the temple unless you are a priest or Levite. No one can come to the Father but those he invites. It is required that all be holy. Every part of the body must be clean or holy. All parts or people when connected to God must represent a life that is separated from the sins of the world.
7 The Levites are to completely surround the king with weapons in hand. Anyone who enters the temple is to be put to death. Accompany the king in all his daily tasks.”
We must be prepared at all times with the Word of God. If we name the name of Jesus in our lives we must have the Word of God and be fully surrounded with the knowledge of God. We must live under authority in everything we do. If he is the center of our lives, we must represent him at all times.
8 So the commanders of hundreds did everything the priest Jehoiada commanded. They each brought their men—those coming on duty on the Sabbath and those going off duty on the Sabbath—for the priest Jehoiada did not release the divisions.
When Jehoiada gave orders everyone who heard what he commanded followed what he ordered. All captains of 100's brought those they commanded. The order of who was on duty did not change. It was Sabbath day. Everything functioned as usual. When we do systematically what God instructs, there is no need to do anything differently. God knew this day was coming and He had a staff that would be fully equipped this day to carry out his orders to prepare for the anointed king. The Sabbath day as some view is a day to do nothing. This is why we must study God's word for details of what God meant when he said what he said.
This was a perfect day to be in a place for the people of God to fulfill God's plan. Because Athalia did not care to know the things of God, she did not interrupt those that did. It is common in the lives of those who lead people from God to be ignorant of the Word of God. Had Athaliah known the Word or Plan of God, she could have used force to stop the process. It is important that the people who know God, are aware of the enemies plots, but
Jehoiada studied the writing of Moses and because of his obedience to the Word, he was able to conquer or obtain his goal, by simply being extremely careful in being and doing what God said many years ago. What God said, still works today. He knew his plan and he invites us to be a part of being in a position to carry it out to its fullest.
9 The priest Jehoiada gave to the commanders of hundreds King David’s spears, shields, and quivers[b] that were in God’s temple.
The priest prepared those who were appointed with the shield they needed. He knew if the enemy tried to attack, they must be ready for war at all times. The Word of God in us must be protected. When the enemy arrives, be fully dressed to put him under your feet. And keep it moving.
10 Then he stationed all the troops with their weapons in hand surrounding the king—from the right side of the temple to the left side, by the altar and by the temple.
Our weapon is the Word of God in our hands surrounding our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ he reigns in our hearts. We should have the Word in our hand on the right side, left side, by the altar and the temple. This includes or concludes that we must be filled on all sides with the Word of God.
11 They brought out the king’s son, put the crown on him, gave him the testimony, and made him king. Jehoiada and his sons anointed him and cried, “Long live the king!”
Without hesitancy, they presented the king. Crowned him, gave him a copy of the Word of God, and declared him king. And shouted Live a long time!!
12 When Athaliah heard the noise from the troops, the guards, and those praising the king, she went to the troops in the Lord’s temple.
When the self-appointed queen heard the noise, of the unafraid people of God praising God and she saw the military too, she went out to see what was the occasion.
13 As she looked, there was the king standing by his pillar[c] at the entrance. The commanders and the trumpeters were by the king, and all the people of the land were rejoicing and blowing trumpets while the singers with musical instruments were leading the praise. Athaliah tore her clothes and screamed, “Treason! Treason!”
When she saw the set-up! She was mad! She cried you did this behind my back!!!!!!!! You have turned on me!!!!
14 Then the priest Jehoiada sent out the commanders of hundreds, those in charge of the army, saying, “Take her out between the ranks, and put anyone who follows her to death by the sword,” for the priest had said, “Don’t put her to death in the Lord’s temple.”
Remove her from the temple and put her to death and anyone else who follows her. The trumpet will sound! And it will be what it is. There will be no chance of doing anything. Game over!
15 So they arrested her, and she went by the entrance of the Horse Gate to the king’s palace, where they put her to death.
Athaliah is dead! She was put to death. She did not choose to die, so she was put to death. If we do not make a decision to put our flesh to death, then it will one day be put to death for us.
Jehoiada’s Reforms
16 Then Jehoiada made a covenant between himself, the king, and the people that they would be the Lord’s people.
We will serve God! If you stay in the word for 6 years you should be ready to lead.
17 So all the people went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed its altars and images and killed Mattan, the priest of Baal, at the altars.
As John the baptist stated, bring forth meat for repentance. John explained we must follow up when except Jesus, that we will remove hindrance from our lives. They said God will be our God and tore down everything that was lined up with the Word of God.
18 Then Jehoiada put the oversight of the Lord’s temple into the hands of the Levitical priests, whom David had appointed over the Lord’s temple, to offer burnt offerings to the Lord as it is written in the law of Moses, with rejoicing and song ordained by[d] David.
When we do anything for God, we must start with God's instructions. Jehoiada referred back to what God told Moses and those were the directions given. Nothing changed, what Moses instructed, needs no adjustments. They did what the Word said with joy and with singing. David referred to the writing of Moses and it worked on his behalf and if we do what we do with the right attitude it will be pleasing to the Lord.
19 He stationed gatekeepers at the gates of the Lord’s temple so that nothing unclean could enter for any reason.
Jehoiada put men who managed what came in and out. This was not to lord over the people, it was as the thyroid gland. The thyroid gland communicates to the body when something is working too slowly or too fast. The temple had to stay clean at all times. Nothing entered if it was not authorized. The restrictions he put in place were good for all people.
20 Then he took with him the commanders of hundreds, the nobles, the governors of the people, and all the people of the land and brought the king down from the Lord’s temple. They entered the king’s palace through the Upper Gate and seated the king on the throne of the kingdom.
The first miracle Jesus did was change the water into wine. He instructed the servants to serve the governor first. After serving the governor first, the governor stated the truth about how he ran his position. He asked why did you save the best for last? Then he went on to say, we usually serve the good wine first, and then we serve you anything after we know you are good and drunk. In other words, we smile to get you to sign a contract; however, once it signed, we turn our backs on you.
(John chapter 2) - 8 Then he told them, “Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet.” did so, 9 and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside 10 and said, “Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink, but you have saved the best till now.” The house was prepared for the entrance of the king.
Jehoiada brought: 1. commanders of hundreds - the military 2. The governors of the people-people in charge3. And all the people.
After everyone was in position, he brought in the king. When we put people who have influence in front, we are able to show the people who look up to these people an illustration of the correct conduct in their daily affairs. Leaders must be an example of what is right. The king will not take a seat until the people are prepared to receive him. We have a part in God. We must do our part and God will show up and take a seat in our lives. We must seek an entrance in through the Word of God and God will let it be known by those who watch us, He dwells in the place you have set aside for him only.
21 All the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was quiet, for they had put Athaliah to death by the sword.
The enemy who worked through and in Athaliah was put to death. Since she allowed the enemy entrance, she was put to death. The devil's position is to kill, steal and destroy. The truth about this wage is we see it happening, but we do not believe we did anything to cause it to happens. The wages or pay stub of sin has not changed. There is no respect of person. No one is exempt.
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