26 lines
1.6 KiB
Markdown
26 lines
1.6 KiB
Markdown
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title = "2 Chronicles 24:1–16"
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date = "2025-03-26"
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### [Read the passage.](https://biblia.com/bible/esv/2Chronicles24.1-16)
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At the tender age of seven years old, Joash became king of Judah.
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Under the influence of Jehoiada the priest, he followed the Lord's commands and rules well.
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One particularly important accomplishment for the returning exiles was his zeal for restoring and repairing the temple.
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In order to accomplish this, there needed to be funds for the project.
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Joash reinstated the half-shekel tax that Moses first used for the upkeep of the tabernacle, but the Levites in charge of collecting the tax seemed reluctant to do it.
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Their reticence, sloth, or whatever the problem was seems to be unwarranted, because Joash set up a collection box outside the temple for all the people to put their tax into.
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When they did, they rejoiced!
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Most people don't like being told they have to pay extra, but the people of Judah in this time loved the Lord and gladly pitched in to help restore His house.
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Eventually, work on the temple was completed, and enough money had been collected that there was plenty left over for the furnishings and utensils employed in the service of the Lord.
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Jehoiada's influence did not last forever, though.
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Verse 15 tells us he was 130 when he died, which was an extraodinarily old age.
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He was so beloved by the people that, despite being a priest, he was buried in the kings' tomb in Jerusalem.
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They honored him for the good he had done for the people, for the king, and for God.
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* * *
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Grant to us purpose and duties throughout our lives, for the sake of Your kingdom.
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