They Wouldn’t Listen

Jehoiada had become very old. He died at the age of 130. His body was buried with the kings in the City of David. That's because he had done so many good things in Israel for God and his temple.

After Jehoiada died, the officials of Judah came to King Joash. They bowed down to him. He listened to them. They turned their backs on the temple of the Lord, the God of their people. They worshiped poles that were made to honor the goddess Asherah. They also worshiped statues of other gods.

Because Judah and Jerusalem were guilty of sin, God became angry with them. The Lord sent prophets to the people to bring them back to him. The prophets gave witness against the people. But they wouldn't listen.

Then the Spirit of God came on the priest Zechariah. He was the son of Jehoiada. Zechariah stood in front of the people. He told them, "God says, 'Why do you refuse to obey my commands? You will not have success. You have deserted me. So I have deserted you.' "

But the people made evil plans against Zechariah. The king ordered them to kill Zechariah by throwing stones at him. They did it in the courtyard of the Lord's temple. King Joash didn't remember how kind Zechariah's father Jehoiada had been to him. So he killed Jehoiada's son.

2 Chronicles 24:15-22

Old Testament prophets were often sent to preach the truth to a stubborn people. Their message often resulted in persecution and sometimes even death.

During Christ’s ministry on earth, His message also resulted in angry opposition. Yet, in the sovereignty of God, the terrible miscarriage of justice that sentenced Jesus to death on the cross purchased our redemption.

Now, as representatives of the risen Christ in this world, we are to promote reconciliation, justice, and integrity. And in so doing, this may mean speaking the truth in the face of opposition. This is the charge to every believer until that day when Christ sets all things right.

It is better to declare the truth and be rejected

than to withhold the truth just to be accepted.

Our Daily Bread – October 10, 2009