May 1, 2026 - 2 Chronicles 24-27

Chapter 23 told the story of Joash being made king.  His story reads like so many others.  “Joash did what was right in the eyes of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the priest. . . . Joash decided to restore the house of the LORD” (24:2-4).  But, after Jehoiada’s death, Joash and the people “they abandoned the house of the LORD, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols” (24:18).  A faithful man, “Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest” (24:20), called out these wrongs, and the people “conspired against him, and by command of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the house of the LORD” (24:21).  A good and faithful man murdered by evil people.  It’s a story that is played out over and over throughout history.  Of course, we know that the good man’s death is not the end of the story.  Zechariah, ever trusting in God, “when he was dying, he said, “May the LORD see and avenge!” (24:22)  Remember these words of Paul?  “Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord’” (Romans 12:19).  It is good to rest in God and trust him!

High as the heav’ns above the ground

Reigns the Creator, God;

Wide as the whole creation's bound

Extends his awful rod.

Let the sovereigns of the globe

Not dare to vex the just;

He puts on vengeance like a robe,

And treads the worms to dust.

Ye judges of the earth, be wise,

And think of heav’n with fear;

The meanest saint that you despise

Has an avenger there.   -- Isaac Watts (1766)