INTERMEDIATE
AGE: 12 - 13
YEARS
STANDARD/GRADE:
VII & VIII
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LESSON – 20
HIGH PRIEST
JEHOIADA WHO DID GOOD
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Jehoiada – The High Priest
Jehoiada, whose name means
"Yahweh knows" was a high priest in the kingdom of
Judah during the reigns of King Ahaziah, Athaliah, and King
Joash (around 840–796 BC). Jehoiada was also the brother-in-law of King
Ahaziah through his marriage with princess Jehosheba. She was also
called as Jehoshabeath or Josaba. Both Jehosheba and King Ahaziah
were children of King Jehoram of Judah who reigned between 849 – 842
BC. As the High Priest of Israel, Jehoiada had a honourable, yet highly
accountable role to play in the Kingdoms of Israel and Judah.
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The High Priest
The High Priest of Israel (called as Kohen Gadol in Hebrew) was the head of the Israelite priesthood and the supreme religious leader of the Israelites. He played a unique role in the spiritual matters of the Israelites. Like all priests, he was required to be descended from Aaron (the first biblical High Priest). As a High Priest he had to follow more restrictive laws. The most important duty of the high priest was to conduct the service on the Day of Atonement. Only he was allowed to enter the Most Holy Place behind the veil to stand before God and make atonement for the people of Israel. The High Priest had unique priestly garments such as the robe (me'il), ephod (vest or apron), breastplate (hoshen), and headplate (tzitz) in addition to the common garments worn by all priests such as the tunic and turban. Only the high priest could wear the Urim and the Thummin (engraved dice-like stones used to determine truth or falsity). For this reason, the Israelites would go to the high priest in order to know the will of God (Numbers 27:21). (Click this link to learn more about Aaron - The first High Priest of Israel)
Athaliah Usurps the Throne
Athaliah was the daughter of King Ahab of
Israel and his wife Jezebel. Athaliah was married to Jehoram, King of
Judah (son of Jehoshaphat a righteous Judean king) to seal
a treaty between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah. Jehoram’s father Jehoshaphat and
Grandfather Asa feared and worshiped Jehovah. However, Jehoram did
not follow their example, and rejected Jehovah. After his death, his son Ahaziah
became the king of Judah. Ahaziah’s mother Athaliah became the queen
mother. Ahaziah ruled for only one year and he died. When Athaliah heard of Ahaziah’s
death, Athaliah seized the throne of Judah and killed all the royal heirs
including her own children and grandchildren - anyone who could have a legal
claim to the throne of David. It was a part of satan’s plan to destroy the
lineage of David to prevent the birth of the Messiah.
Joash, the Royal Baby Saved by Jehoiada’s
wife
When Athaliah killed all the royal family members, Jehosheba, wife of the High Priest Jehoiada saved her infant nephew Jehoash (also called as Joash) from the massacre. Joash was Ahaziah's son and Athaliah's grandson. Jehosheba took Joash away from the palace unnoticed by anyone and hid him and his nurse in the Temple for six years.
Joash, the royal heir of Judah was brought up under the
protection and guidance of the High priest Jehoiada and his brave wife,
Princess Jehosheba. One infant was all that was left of David's royal descendants.
God had promised David 'You shall not fail to have a man sit before Me on the
throne of Israel, only if your sons take heed to their way, that they walk in
My law as you have walked before Me (II Chronicles 6:16).
Jehoiada’s Preparation for Revolt
Six years passed, during which the wicked queen
mother Athaliah remained in power and the rightful king was hidden and brought
up within the Temple courts. Finally, Jehoiada the priest decided the time had
come to make the boy king. He called the captains of the guard and influential
Levites and other leaders of the people to come to Jerusalem. He revealed the
secret that one of the king’s sons, the rightful heir to the throne as a direct
descendant of David still lived. He devised a plan to reestablish
the Davidic line in the throne of Judah through the coronation of
Jehoash, who was then seven years of age. Jehoiada assembled the
military commanders, and the guards secretly in
Solomon’s temple.
Joash Anointed as King
On the
appointed day, every person in the assembly stood ready to
defend the young king and the commanders did as they had been
instructed. Jehoiada gave them the special spears and
shields that had belonged to David and were kept in the Temple.
Jehoiada and his sons then brought Joash out of the Temple
where he had been living into the protected area of the courtyard, placed the
royal crown on his head, presented him with a copy of the
covenant (the Mosaic Law or a part of it (Deut. 17:18–19), and
proclaimed him king. The high priest also anointed Joash with oil, and
shouted, “Long live the king!” The people of the land clapped,
shouted and rejoiced. Trumpets were blown and musicians with their instruments
were leading the praises.
Athaliah’s End
Athaliah, the queen, who was also Joash’s
grandmother, heard the noise from the Temple, she came over from the palace. When
she entered the Temple, she found her grandson crowned and standing by a
pillar, surrounded by officers and trumpeters. Evil queen Athaliah could not
believe her eyes. She tore her clothes and cried "Treason, treason!"
Jehoiada ordered that she be slain but not inside the Temple. Athaliah was
captured and put to death in the gateway leading from the horse stalls to the
royal palace, thus ending her tyranny. Athaliah was not a
legitimate heir since she was Ahab and Jezebel’s daughter and not a royal
descendant of David. She was the one guilty of treason.
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Elijah’s Mission completed by Jehoiada
When Athaliah was put to death, it ended the life
of one of the most wicked women in Scripture, a true daughter of Jezebel. It
was a significant moment because it marked the completion of a
mission started by Prophet Elijah and Elisha to crush Baal worship in Judah and
bring an end to the reign of Jezebel’s descendants and her ideologies. It
teaches us how God watches over His purposes and their instruments and is
careful to fulfill it. It also shows us how much one courageous, good man and
woman can do to change the course of events.
Jehoiada – who did good for God and His
Temple
Joash was seven years old when he was crowned the
king. After Joash
was crowned, Jehoiada made a covenant between the king and the people
that they would be the Lord’s people and no longer worship Baal. Under
Jehoiada's guidance, Baal-worship was renounced, and the altar and temple
of Baal were destroyed. Thanks to his adviser Jehoiada, Joash reigned as one of
the good kings of Judah who served the Lord, until the death of Jehoiada.
Together, Joash and Jehoiada took contributions from the people, and oversaw
extensive repairs to the Lord’s Temple that had gone neglected for far too
long. Jehoiada the priest took a chest and bore a hole in the lid and
placed it beside the altar. The priests who guarded the entrance put in all the
money brought by the people. Later they took the money and used it to pay the
carpenters and builders involved in repairing the Temple. The Holy Bible
describes Jehoiada as one who did good in Israel for God and His Temple.
Long life of Jehoiada & Royal Burial
According to the Book of
Chronicles, Jehoiada lived for 130 years and guided the kingdom of Judah with
his godly wisdom and able direction. Jehoiada
was highly regarded by the people for his service both to the kings of Judah
and the house of God. Jehoiada played a pivotal role in the history of the
world by preserving a royal line of David for the arrival of the Messiah. Jehoiada
the righteous priest was honored both in life and death. He was the royal
adviser during his lifetime and after his death, he was given the rare
privilege of a royal burial. He was buried in Jerusalem in the city of David
among the kings (2 Chronicles 24:16). Unfortunately, after Jehoiada
died, King Joash began listening to wicked advisers, and Baal and
Asherah worship revived in Judah (2 Chronicles 24:17–19).
Bible Reference: II Kings
11, 12; II Chronicles 23, 24:1-18
Memory Verse: 1 My son, do not forget my law, But let your heart keep my commands; 2 For length of days and long life And peace they will add to you. 3 Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart, 4 And so find favor and high esteem In the sight of God and man (Proverbs 3:1-4).
ASSESSMENT
ACTIVITIES
Fill in the blanks:
1. When
Athaliah killed all the royal family members, ………………….. wife of the High Priest
Jehoiada saved her infant nephew Joash.
2. Athaliah was not a
legitimate heir since she was Ahab and Jezebel’s daughter and not a royal
descendant of ……………….
3. ………………. was seven years old when he was crowned the
king.
4. According to the book of Chronicles, Jehoiada lived for …………. years and guided the kingdom of Judah.
Give short answers:
1. Who was the supreme religious leader of the Israelites? What role did he play in the life of the Israelites?
2. Who was Athaliah and how did she become the queen?
3. Who was Joash and why was he hidden?
4. Where was Jehoiada buried and why?
Answer in brief:
1. How was Prophet Elijah’s mission completed by Jehoiada?
