The Ten Lepers

Luke 17:11-19
Lepers were pretty common in Jesus day and He came across many of them and healed many. The disease still exists but not the extent it once did

Back then there was no cure and those who got it suffered severely in more ways then just physical. According to the Law anyone who had leprosy was to be put out of the camp to avoid spreading the disease. They were considered "unclean" and ostracized from everyone...family, friends, neighbors everyone. If they did have to come in close to the others they had to announce themselves by calling out "Unclean!" They couldn't work to provide for family let alone themselves and they were forced to exist on the fringes alone

They weren't looked on as having an awful skin disease and pitied. More often then not they were treated harshly and despised. They were treated as sinful, evil creatures that must have committed some terrible secret sin because lepers were excluded from worship and prayer under the Law. So they were avoided by great extents because the worst thing that could happen to anyone was to be excluded from worship so leprosy was considered by the people a vengeful act of God

Leviticus 13 shows how lepers were to be dealt with. Only Moses or the priests could examine a person to decide if they had leprosy or not

In Luke 13:2-5 Jesus was confronted with the rampant idea that people who suffered and died were in effect worse sinners then other people

"Jesus answered, 'Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans because they suffered this way? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish. Or those eighteen who died when the tower in Siloam fell on them--do you think they were more guilty than all the others living in Jerusalem? I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish.'" Luke 13:2-6

When Jesus raised Lazarus from the grave after Lazarus laid in a hot tomb for 4 days rotting Jesus made it clear that it had happened not because Lazarus was a rotten sinner but so it could bring glory to God when he was raised from the dead

"This sickness is not unto death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified thereby." John 11:4

Sickness as well as healing could very well be to the glory of God and not a punishment

When Jesus was on his way to Jerusalem walking along the border between Samaria and Galilee and heading into a village ten lepers stood at a distance as required of them and cried out  "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" Luke 17:13

These 10 had obviously heard about Jesus and the healings he had done not only on the blind, deaf, sick, dead, paralyzed, lame but also on lepers. He was their only hope. Jesus may not have been liked by the chief priests, Pharisees and ruling religious class but he was considered a Rabbi so for these men to call out to him...a Rabbi to be healed, to have Jesus come into close contact with them was not only unlawful but dangerous to themselves

They didn't care. At this point they were desperate. They knew he could heal them. Jesus stopped and looked toward the pathetic group on the fringes screaming to Him and He simply said  "'Go, show yourselves to the priests.' And as they went, they were cleansed" Luke 17:14 in keeping with the letter of the Law

Notice they didn't stand there and continue to call him over. They didn't wait to see some sign of healing taking place before they went to the priests to be examined and declared clean as required by Law. They instantly turned and went. It was instant obedience...instant obedience that demonstrated faith. Jesus said it, they did it. And as they acted in obedience they were healed


"One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus' feet and thanked Him—and he was a Samaritan." Luke 17:15-16

It gets even more interesting. As they went, acting in obedience to show themselves to the priests one of them noticed he'd been healed and he turned right back around praising God and this time instead of standing at a distance he went right up to Jesus, threw himself down and thanked Him. Show yourself to the priest? This man was and he knew it. He knew who he had just encountered...the Great High Priest. This man was also a Samaritan. He was not a Jew as the others were. This man was considered a pagan, the lowest of the low, a dog to Jews and were avoided by Jews by great extents as they should have been. Samaritans were idolaters, heretics, rejected the scriptures as the Word of God except the first 5 books of Moses yet he was the only one who acted appropriately and was so grateful for the healing that he went back to give thanks and worship at Jesus' feet

The others continued on probably so ecstatic they couldn't contain themselves. Their lives were now going to be good! They could work, return to their families, friends and homes. They could once again return to the Temple and get back to a normal life. Gone were the days of being shunned, treated harshly, begging just to eat. They became so wrapped up with how awesome their lives would be they didn't bother to thank the One who made it possible for them. They were the very ones who should have known better

But back comes the Samaritan...the one who never had access to God, was treated disdainfully whether healed or not by Jews and he shows the proper gratitude for such a gift by
1. Praising God...rightfully attributing the miracle to Him
2. Throwing himself at Jesus' feet...rightfully humbling himself and worshipping for the miracle
3. He thanked Jesus for making him well

"Jesus asked, 'Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?' Then he said to him, 'Rise and go; your faith has made you well.'" Luke 17:17-19

This is a shocking picture of the Jewish nation who were given the Promise of a Messiah through them, given the Law, given the Prophets, given the abundant blessings, given such high status and they rejected Him. Just like the other 9 who ultimately rejected God by not giving thanks. But the pagan heard with his ears, saw with his eyes, understood with him heart and acted immediately not with an understanding of Law and proper worship. He just did what was in his heart and what was in his heart to do was exactly what God wanted. In that simple act the man not only received healing physically but he also received it inwardly and that was by far the most important

First Year

post moved to private blog   http://goofballhairraisers.blogspot.com/

Male Lion Caught Attempting To Cheat By Jealous Mate

CLICKY

"Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned."

So funny!

There's No Reason To Fight For This World

"Then Simon Peter, who had a sword, drew it and struck the high priest's servant, cutting off his right ear. Jesus commanded Peter, "Put your sword away! Shall I not drink the cup the Father has given me?" - John 18:10-11

"Jesus said, 'My kingdom is not of this world. If it were, my servants would fight to prevent my arrest by the Jews. But now my kingdom is from another place.'" - John 18:36

"Or do you think that I cannot appeal to My Father, and He will at once put at My disposal more than twelve legions of angels?" Matthew 26:53

This is one reason why Christians are not to fight this world, make war on this world or anyone else for God. There's no reason to! This world is going to pot and the Bible says it would. Peter tried to fight when Jesus was arrested and cut off the ear of a guard with a sword but he was rebuked by Jesus for doing that. Jesus also made very clear if he needed an army he could have one instantly...thousands of angels would be as his disposal to fight for him but he wasn't here the 1st time for a war

Our job is not to fight with others. We aren't called to "Christianize" this world. We're not of this world so why would be want to hang onto it? Christianization is never gonna happen anyway. That's pretty clear in the Bible. Anytime "Christians" have tried to do this is history it's always failed because that's not God's intent so of course it's not gonna succeed

God knows those He's chosen and once He has those He's picked....it's all over. Our job is to let as many people as possible know..."Dude you're playing on the wrong team!" We don't know who the elect is. The general call goes out to the whole world. God knows those who will come and those who won't and those who won't have heard the call and rejected it. It's on them now. It's a commandment for us to do that and when I think about those I know and love having to face Him as He's ruthlessly executing judgment it scares me! Look...God doesn't need our help to take what is His. When He decides to return and start a turkey shoot He will

He won't be showing up secretly and knocking on doors or having secret meetings with a special few. He's gonna kick the door down in front of everyone! We can't force anyone to be a Christian. That's up to God alone. All we can do is tell others and that's it. He doesn't even need us to do that. God doesn't need anything from us. He chooses to allow us to take part in His plan so it's not like all of God's plans will fall apart if we don't do it. He existed just fine and happy long before man. There's nothing He needs from us and if God wants to He can just blow this planet up. He still has the entire universe at His disposal and under his rule. The kingdom that does matter is Heaven and God is still enthroned there. Remember Heaven is the kingdom Satan tried to take first. That didn't work out so well. Everything else God can destroy and rebuild if it pleased Him without our help. Which one of us was there to help Him when he created everything?

*crickets chirping*

Right!

Let me tell you though who finds this world so important that he'll fight tooth and nail to keep it....

"the god of this world has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ." 2 Corinthians 4:4

"Now judgment is upon this world; now the ruler of this world will be cast out." John 12:31

"For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms." Ephesians 6:12

"in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient" Ephesians 2:2

Of course Satan uses any means and as many people as necessary to keep his dominion. When people wage war on others in this world "for God" they're not fighting for the true God. They're fighting for the god of this world to protect his feeble throne whether they do it in ignorance or not. Satan knew Messiah was gonna come. God told him in Genesis 3 He would and the Messiah would "crush his head". He fought against that happening but everything he did and everything he tried didn't work. Messiah comes and Satan tries to kill him while He's a baby. That didn't work. When Jesus hung on the cross Satan thought he won! He didn't...he was in fact defeated. His head was crushed. Like a snake will continue to snap when its head has been crushed so is Satan. He knows very well Messiah will come back and he's once again doing everything he can to prevent that

So of course Satan will wage war against anyone who's a threat to his "kingdom". This world is all he has. A little speck in the universe and he means to keep it! Just like a narcissist! It doesn't really even belong to him but he thinks it does and will kill, maim, harass, threaten, destroy anyone or anything that poses a threat. He has subdued earth at God's good pleasure. When God is ready to take it back He will and there's nothing anyone or anything can do about it. You may wonder "when is God going to do that?" Whenever He feels like it. God is not constricted by time like we are. He's sitting in eternity. There is no such thing as "time" for Him. We see things as yesterday, today and tomorrow. God sees everything all at once in front of Him. Satan's little running amok (though it seems ages for us) is not even a minute to God

"If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you" John 15:19

"Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour." 1 Peter 5:8

I saw a program once on TV about lions. The male will patrol his territory from one end to another making sure no competition has stepped into it. This is exactly what Satan does and if he finds a threat to his territory he unleashes and tries to devour them...US. This is why Christians are persecuted and killed. We are the threat to his rule. Jesus never said we wouldn't be persecuted and killed. He said we WOULD be. The only way it's gonna end is by Satan being removed and he will be. His days are numbered

Pray for those in the world, do what you can to help those in the world but don't become attached and definitely don't fight for it

For info on Satan go HERE

Fox News: Thousands of Muslims Converting to Christianity In Iraq

Muslim conversion en mass is not western propaganda.

"Something is happening in the Middle East that the main stream media is not reporting, a Muslim conversion en mass to Christianity" Joel Rosenberg Fox News

From Al Jazeera...

Statistically 16,000 Muslims convert to Christianity daily... almost 6 million every year throughout the Middle East and Africa. You can read more on this subject HERE

Be warned...

All other "religions" and "followings" have one thing in common...all those who started them were given special revelation that no one else was ever given and it always came from an "angel" who distorted, twisted, or just tossed out what was originally given by God. That person now had the "correct version" of what God really meant and everyone else before them (all the Prophets, Kings, Disciples, Apostles and many others over 1500 years and 66 books) had gotten it wrong. The new person coming on the scene is the only who has it right! Seriously that wouldn't even hold up in our own faulty courts.

Satan did this in Genesis 3 claiming to know better, understand better what God meant. Claiming they didn't hear what God said right, they got it all wrong and he knew the correct version so follow him. He's still doing it even today. He continues to masquerade as an angel of light. If anyone claims to speak for God but their teachings contradict, twist or if they just throw it out then the warning is "have nothing to do with them". Does God change His mind? Does He forget what He said already? Does He forget what He already did? Is He a man that He should lie?

They're false prophets masquerading as "servants of righteousness" and the one in control of them is not from God and many people will follow them. Satan knows the Bible better than most people. If he will distort and twist Scripture to Messiah Himself (Luke 4) who was the Word of God in the flesh (John 1) what makes us think he won't do it to us?

"for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve." 2 Corinthians 11:14-15

"Even some men from among your own selves will rise up and distort the truth in order to draw a following." - Acts 20:30

I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel - which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ." - Galatians 1:7

"But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned!" - Galatians 1:8

"I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people." - Romans 16:17-18

"But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them--bringing swift destruction on themselves. Many will follow their shameful ways and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. In their greed these teachers will exploit you with stories they have made up. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping." 2 Peter 2:1-3

"But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God-- having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them." - 2 Timothy 3:1-5

"Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage--with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry." 2 Timothy 4:2-5


What is our defense? Know the Bible. Read it. Study it. All of it! If we don't know it then we'll fall for anything.

Hinn confronts Osteen?

Benny Hinn confronts Joel Osteen

Isn't this the pot calling the kettle black? For Hinn to point out Osteen's sins all the while doing the exact same things not only makes Hinn a hypocrite but he condemns himself. If he's able to recognize and point out everything Osteen is doing wrong and all his sins then Hinn has the ability to recognize them in himself thus bringing himself under judgment

Is Hinn actually seeing the light? No otherwise he would have openly repented first and he hasn't done that. So what's Hinn's problem? Osteen is stealing his thunder and frankly money. Followers of Hinn are moving onto another heretic that tells then exactly what they want to hear in a better way and taking their money with them

No one's the victim...not even the followers. They flock to these heretics....they can no longer put up with sound doctrine which doesn't line up with their own desires so they gather around them teachers like Hinn and Osteen who will tell them what their itching ears want to hear and it's not the truth. (2 Timothy 4:3) They've exchanged the truth for a lie (Romans 1:25) The followers all want what Hinn and Osteen want and Hinn and Osteen want what the followers want and it's not God. These corrupt teachers are simply God's judgment on stiff necked people

Confronting Error With Condemnation, not Conversation -by John MacArthur

LeCrae tearing it up!

"Paul said if Christ ain't resurrected then we wasted our lives. That implies our life's built around Jesus being alive...we're created for Him. Out of the dust He raised us for Him. Elects us and He saves us for Him. Jesus comes and He raises us. So magnify the Father. Why bother with something lesser? He made us so we could bless Him and to the world we confess Him.."

Enjoy! on the stage with him is Sho Baraka (in the blue), Trip Lee (shorty in white) Grammy Nominee Flame (in black with cross necklace) and Tedashii (heavier guy in black) = 116 Clique

A few things I love about these guys are they're humble, sincere, earnest and they don't fall into the trap of wearing expensive jewelry, clothes and living extravagantly. Despite their success and high educations they still live in the ghetto and spend their lives and money ministering, helping others with whatever they need and being an example to those around them. They practice what they preach. They're the real thing...

Persecution Is What Makes Things Grow

"And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come" Matthew 24:14

Did you know that the underground church in Muslim countries is growing so rapidly that odds are (if you're a Muslim in the east) you know someone that you are convinced is a Muslim but is actually a Christian who's forced to hide it because of persecution? (In the pic is a small group of Iranian Christians who are former Muslims meeting secretly to study, encourage and pray for each other). Many governments and people of these closed nations have no idea the underground church even exists in its borders. Because Christianity is illegal and closed in these countries, God's doing the proselytizing Himself through dreams and visions which is responsible for many conversions.

Did you know that the underground church in China and North Korea is growing so rapidly that it's likely (if you're an atheist communist) that you know someone who you think is just like you but is really a Christian?

Did you know that the underground church is spreading so rapidly all over the Middle East and Africa that even people you work with may be the same people who spend their free time smuggling Bibles into the country. The same people you think you know and are sure are like you are the same ones copying the Bible in long hand a book at a time and giving it to others who also copy them and pass them along because Bibles are illegal.

Did you know in countries where "churches" are allowed (and a certain amount of Bibles are allowed but both are closely monitored and under the control of the government) most Christians don't even attend them? They have been forced underground because a vast majority have converted from Islam or Hinduism. This is especially true in countries like Iran, Iraq, India and Turkey. You may live in one of these countries and think "but we have churches here!" Ya and they face persecution all the time and most of those who attend have been raised Christian. But for those who are converting from Islam it's dangerous and they can't openly attend a church so they meet in homes or in remote areas like the desert, woods and even in caves.

Did you know persecution is on the rise in South America?

It's even true here in the States for Muslims. I attend services on Friday nights where the building is so packed with Muslims there's not even standing room. They freely come but they have to sneak away from their families and neighbors. It's interesting to see the reactions of some who run into their neighbors also attending. There's a tense silent agreement..."you don't tell on me and I won't tell on you." If you want a chair you gotta get there early. They come freely to hear the Gospel. Some bring pastries, tea and coffee from a local Middle Eastern bakery and everyone hangs out together afterwards for hours. Later they go home with their secret and return the next week.

"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me." Matthew 24:9

"but he who stands firm to the end will be saved." Matthew 24:13

Persecution does 2 things outwardly...it deepens the commitment of true Christians thus spreading it and forces the "religious Christians" to desert. It helps separate the wheat from the tares (weeds) and just like pulling weeds from a garden...the roots of the wheat now have room to spread their roots and the garden takes off.

This is happening all over the world. Persecution of Christians has picked up. Even in the States where we've been relatively free from serious persecution it's increasing and getting worse. Our own government is now calling Christians "terroritsts" and calling for a "Christian solution". Sound familiar? Ya they did that to the Jews in Germany.

Will we ever be tossed to lions in a stadium here? Who knows! Will they bring back burning Christians at the stake again? It's possible. Will we be thrown into prison for preaching, executed, raped, starved, beaten, beheaded, tortured etc? It's happening in many other countries so to think it'll never touch us in the States is unrealistic. It could. When I read and see news pictures of Christians being beheaded in Indonesia...Christians being raped, beaten, executed, imprisoned and tortured in the Middle East and Africa it's a sober reminder that though I'm in the States I'm not safe. The Bible gives very clear predictions how things will go from bad to worse for us everywhere even those who thought they were safe. During the last days it will become full blown and spread all over the world.

Historically Christians have been savagely persecuted by pagans, Catholics even Jews. Nowadays it's coming from the Muslims, Atheist Communists and Hindus. But we gotta remember Christianity is the only faith that has spread like wildfire under persecution. Persecution never stopped it. Like a fire spreads by wind so has Christianity under the severest opposition. When Christians are persecuted they don't cower and hide...they've always rejoiced in it and always picked up their witness under it. This has been a huge factor in it spreading. That is a huge testimony to God and His power and often times has led to the persecutors themselves repenting! Even today despite government efforts and persecution in China, North Korea, India, Indonesia, Eastern Europe, the entire Middle East and Africa, Christianity is spreading, the underground church is growing at a rapid rate and they can't stop it. When the underground church is growing under such conditions weeds don't take root.

If it hadn't been for severe persecution Christianity would have never spread throughout what is modern day Turkey thus pushing it to the West. We aren't to see it as a set back or be afraid of it...we're to be ready for it.When modern day theologians and prominent teachers were asked if we would ever see such harsh treatment here in the West...there basic answer was "Yes...it's coming". That's not their opinion...that's entirely biblical.

"If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing."

If we let our attitudes reflect our surroundings we're in sin and not doing what we're supposed to be doing. If we begin to lose virtue because of where we live then we need to pray that God will reverse it. We "counted the cost" (Luke 14:28) of being a Christian before coming one. We knew what we could face, what could happen and we knew it could cost us our lives. Never become complacent but remain vigilant, self controlled and faithful even to death.

In the meantime, while we in the West are not facing persecution YET as harsh as those in the East we are to remember "those in prison as if you were their fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering" (Hebrews 13:3) pray for them daily, help them and their families where ever and however you can and take an example from them.



Video on Richard Wurmbrand founder of Voice of the Martyrs and writer of "Tortured for Christ" and former Jew who was severely tortured and beaten during his 14 years in solitary confinement  in a Romanian prison after being convicted of preaching. He continued preaching in prison at every opportunity he got with the guards most of which were his torturers and many of them converted. His life and steadfastness in the faith in spite of continuous torture and beatings was the testimony that convinced some prison officials and led to their conversion. All of them also had to hide their faith. Once he was released he went right back to preaching on the streets where he was arrested again.

The video says "Armenia" that is a mistake. It was Romania...

TORTURED FOR CHRIST - Allan Rich vdos
Uploaded by allanrich. - Explore more family videos.

Jehoash "The Lord Has Given" Secret King of Judah

"and I will establish the throne of his (David) kingdom forever." 2 Samuel 7:13

God promised David that his throne would endure forever. David would never fail to have a man on the throne before God. From David came a long line of kings. Some godly, some bad and some really bad. During the time that the kingdom was split (Israel in the north and Judah in the south) Ahaziah was on the throne of Judah, the throne of his forefather David. David had moved the capital from Hebron to Jerusalem in the territory of the tribe of Judah when he conquered the Jebusites. When the kingdom was split later under King Rehoboam, son of Solomon, Jerusalem remained the capital of Judah and Israel's capital became Samaria.

Ahaziah was the son of King Jehoram who was not a popular king in the least. In fact in 2 Chronicles 21:20 it says "Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years. He passed away, to no one's regret, and was buried in the City of David, but not in the tombs of the kings."


He also had a not so popular mother named Athaliah. Athaliah was the daughter of King Ahab of Israel and his wife Jezebel. Athaliah was just like her mother. Israel and Judah battled many years, but Jehoram and Ahab tried to bring peace by Jehoram marrying Ahab's daughter as many alliances were formed in monarchies.

Ahaziah becomes king 841/840 BC and his mother was a huge influence on him. She was Jezebel #2 and she influenced him to follow the god Baal like her mother did in Israel to the north. Ahaziah was not a good king. A year after reigning Ahaziah went to visit Joram King of Israel and things went down hill. There were problems brewing in Israel at that time. By God's instruction the prophet Elisha (Elijah's predecessor) sends a young, unnamed prophet to Ramoth Gilead to anoint a new king (Jehu) and bolt out. It was just that fast.

"the prophet poured the oil on Jehu's head and declared, "This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: 'I anoint you king over the Lord's people Israel. You are to destroy the house of Ahab your master, and I will avenge the blood of my servants the prophets and the blood of all the Lord's servants shed by Jezebel. The whole house of Ahab will perish. I will cut off from Ahab every last male in Israel -- slave or free. I will make the house of Ahab like the house of Jeroboam son of Nebat and like the house of Baasha son of Ahijah. As for Jezebel, dogs will devour her on the plot of ground at Jezreel, and no one will bury her.' Then he opened the door and ran!" 2 Kings 9:6-12

 Jezebel was notorious for having the prophets slaughtered. He didn't want to be next in line. However in the process of executing Joram, Ahaziah was also struck down by Jehu. God didn't tell Jehu to kill Ahaziah, but he did and literally all hell broke loose in Judah because their king was now dead too.

As soon as Athaliah heard about her son's death she had every one of Ahaziah's sons, her own grandchildren, put to death. She was taking over the throne. Ahaziah may not have been a good king, but he was a seed of David as were his sons. The impact of Ahaziah's sons being put to death was devastating to the people of Judah. They always believed and were promised that God would always have one of David's on the throne. Suddenly, it all seemed lost and God's promise seemed to be broken. They were crushed, shocked and totally bewildered.

But God is always faithful to a promise...

"But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram, took Jehoash (aka Joash or Joas) son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes who were about to be murdered and put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Because Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram and wife of the priest Jehoiada, was Ahaziah's sister, she hid the child from Athaliah so she could not kill him. He remained hidden with them at the temple of God for six years while Athaliah ruled the land." 2 Chromicles 22:11-12

This princess took one of Ahaziah's sons, a baby, and hid him in the temple for six years while his grandmother ruled. The temple in Jerusalem was right next to the palace. David left instructions for Solomon to build the temple that close to keep his sons close to God. Athaliah ruled Judah with one of her grandsons right next door and she didn't know it.

Why wouldn't she know it? She worshipped Baal like her mother not God. She never went near the temple let alone inside of it. Nevertheless, Jehoash was kept there and brought up under the priest Jehoiada who was Jehosheba's husband. Jehoiada was a righteous priest and served God. So while the little boy was there in the temple he raised Jehoash under his teaching and direction. Jehoash was fully trained in the Law, in scripture and in righteousness.

When Jehoash was six years Jehoiada was ready to crown him king (2 Chronicles 23) A six year old was vastly better than that woman that sat on throne. Inside the Temple a storm was brewing. Can you imagine the call going out across Judah that in fact all of David's seed had not been killed? There was one, a little boy that had been hidden away from everyone and they were ready to crown him king. Soldiers filled up that temple in a big hurry surrounding their new king to protect him. Jehoiada brought out all the weapons that were King David's kept in storerooms in the temple because not just any weapons were gonna do. They were making a statement by using those that belonged to David. The statement being "Jehoash was the rightful ruler...seed of David.

And they had their weapons in their hands. Not over their shoulder...not holstered or sheathed. They were in hand and ready to fight to the last man standing to put that kid on the throne. Surrounding the new king ...a mere little boy who was probably scared and confused, weapons in hand, ready for a war, all the soldiers, all the commanders, all the priests and all the Levites waited as Jehoiada put the crown on his little head and gave him a copy of the covenant to serve God only. Once he was crowned everyone began to shout at the top of their lungs "LONG LIVE THE KING!" 2 Chronicles 23:11


Athaliah heard the loud chanting coming from the temple coming as a complete surprise. She went running out of the palace and into the temple to face the coup and when she saw a surviving grandson now crowned king in her place she had a total meltdown. She tore her robes and screamed "Treason! Treason!"

That's an interesting reaction isn't it? The second she laid eyes on that kid she knew without a doubt that boy was one of her grandsons, a son of Ahaziah that should have been killed. She knew immediately on seeing Jehoash that he was a rightful heir...there was no mistake. I love how Jehoiada handles it. So fed up with Athaliah and her wickedness, so fed up with her idolatry and leading Judah into idolatry.....
 
"Jehoiada the priest sent out the commanders of units of a hundred, who were in charge of the troops, and said to them: "Bring her out between the ranks and put to the sword anyone who follows her." For the priest had said, "Do not put her to death at the temple of the LORD." So they seized her as she reached the entrance of the Horse Gate on the palace grounds, and there they put her to death." 2 Chronicles 23:14-15

Not only was she to be put to death, but also anyone who followed her...or rather anyone who sided with her or showed any kind of allegiance. I can imagine any friends she had in the kingdom suddenly faded into the shadows. In essence he was saying "That's enough with this woman!" Following this they went about through Judah and tore down Baal's temples, shrines and anything else that was idolatrous. They made a covenant to serve God and be faithful to Him. Then taking commanders, rulers, priests, nobles and all the people with him, they marched the new king down to the palace and seated him on the throne "and all the people of the land rejoiced. And the city was quiet, because Athaliah had been slain with the sword." 2 Chronicles 23:21

What an amazing story! Jehoash truly was given by the Lord as his name means. God being faithful to His promise to David kept one boy alive and put him on the throne in Judah. The story doesn't exactly end here but it'll be worth getting into later. He's still faithful to this very day through Messiah the son of David (Matthew 1:1), Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5) who now is enthroned before God eternally and will one day return, subdue His kingdom (earth) under Him and take the throne in Jerusalem where He will rule for 1,000 years. God is so good!