Unstable times and changing leaders is something that is found in the history and future of every nation. Some of those transitions are more stable than others. And the leaders who lead can really set a tone for the nation as well as influence the nation towards righteousness or evil.
The nation of Israel had split and the southern kingdom, Judah, had a history of decently Godly leadership. The northern kingdom, which had taken the name Israel, had a history of notable evil leadership. But when the southern King of Judah, Jehoram decided to drift away from the ways of God he married Atthalia, daughter of wicked king Ahaz of northern Israel. It was supposed to be a union that strengthened the two nations as was often the case of political maneuvering marriages in the time. It turned out disastrous.
Jeroham and Jehoram had a son named Ahaziah and after Jehoram died, he became king. But he foolishly went to partner with Joram, King of Israel and was killed. When Atthalia saw her son was killed, as well as all her relatives of the house of (wicked) Ahab also, she then decided to kill off all the potentials heirs in Judah and become Queen herself.
She thought she was successful but one heir had been hidden away for six years in a bedroom. His name was Joash and he was only one when he escaped the death rampage of Athalia.
In the meantime Athalia claimed the throne and promoted the worship of the Baals. Yet again and offense to God. She was a wicked queen.
Six years later though the high priest in Jerusalem who still feared and loved the LORD called the people secretly together. He showed that an heir of the throne was still alive, and they were to make him King and dispose of Queen Athalia. So that’s exactly what they did. They proclaimed 7 year old Joash as king and Queen Athalia was driven out and killed.
“Then Jehoida made a covenant between the LORD, the king, and the people that they would be the LORD’s people and another covenant between the king and the people. So all the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They broke its altars and images into pieces...” (2 Kings 11:18).
It was a powerful moment. Jehoida who had not compromised his faith and given in to the ways of the people of the land helped restore the nation back to the LORD. It had been years of living under oppression, but faithfulness eventually brought fruitfulness.
Not only that but God’s promise that a descendant of David would sit on the throne held true. For the six years Jehoida was in hiding, I’m sure the people thought that perhaps God had neglected his promise as it appeared that all the descendants of David had been killed. But God always keeps his promises even when we don’t see them.
We as a globe are in massively changing times in this world. Leaders in every nation are having power struggles. People, even God’s people, are divided as to who is the most or least righteous to lead their respective nation. Sometimes this is clear. Sometimes it isn’t.
But what remains important is that the people of God do not compromise their following the LORD in righteousness and holiness. Jehoida was a man who was a priest of the LORD when priests of the LORD were being killed by people such as Jezebel, and I’m sure being persecuted by people like Athalia.
Yet Jehoida remained strong in the LORD under suffering and when the time was right was able to be positioned to help restore the country to a righteous place. We could talk about the way he did it in the times he was in at a later time. The point is that he didn’t compromise under pressure, he remained faithful in terrible and unstable times, and when the time was right he was used mightily by God to restore the people to God.
