Topic: A Thoughtless Desperation [Tuesday December 5, 2017]
Text: 2 Kings 12:17-21
Key Verse: “And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the LORD, and in the king’s house, and sent it to Hazael king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem.” (2 Kings 12:18).
Nations, cities and individuals have treasures and monuments that depict historical events, notables and aesthetic pride. Some of these are trans-generational and are jealously guarded in every age. The loss of such things is often counted as colossal and as such, they are well secured. Incidentally, the ability to ferret, steal or take by force some of these treasured and valuable items by the opponent is regarded as victory and triumph of some sort and as a mark of subjugation of the original owner.
To an ordinary person, the actions taken by king Jehoash in our passage, to avert impending hostility from Hazael the king of Syria, seemed rational but it was too costly and rash. Imagine mortgaging the treasures inherited from three generations, the ones in the house of the Lord and his personal possessions to avoid confrontation and hostility from an enemy-king.
What a cheap solution! What a cowardly act! It is said that he who cannot fight for something worthwhile will die for something worthless. Jehoash had the option of praying to God, asking counsel at His mouth and exercising faith in Him but he jettisoned and chose the ‘easy’ and carnal option of plundering the national treasury. The Bible affirms that “The ransom of a man’s life are his riches…” (Proverbs 13:8).
We cannot afford to sacrifice the ransom of our soul and other spiritual treasures when we face threat from the enemy camp. What else is worth defending? If we fall for that cheap trick of the enemy, it does not still guarantee the security we may be craving. Ironically, Jehoash avoided the sword of the enemy through his bribery but eventually fell by the sword of his own servants, Jozachar and Jehozabad (2 Kings 12:21). What a pity! Take a cue from Jehoash’s folly and avoid the path of least resistance.
Thought for the day: Faith in God is the only sure source of protection and not carnal manipulations.
Bible Reading in one Year: Luke 7-8
DCLM Daily Manna was written by Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi; is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Life Bible Church situated at KM 42 on the busy Lagos-Ibadan Expressway, Nigeria.
