SUDDEN DEATH
TEXT: 2 KINGS 12:17-21.
🔑KEY VERSE “And his servants arose, and made a conspiracy, and slew Joash in the house of Millo, which goeth down to Silla” (2 KINGS 12:20).
General William Nelson, a union general in the American Civil War, was consumed with the battles in Kentucky when a brawl ended up in his being shot in the chest. He had faced many battles but the fatal blow came while he was relaxing with his men. As such, he was caught fully unprepared. As men ran up the stairs to help him, the general had just one request, “Send me a clergyman; I wish to be baptized.” He never had time as an adolescent or young man. With only minutes left before he entered eternity, the one thing he cared about was preparing for eternity. He wanted to be baptised. Thirty minutes later, he was dead.
King Joash, in our text, took all the hallowed things dedicated by himself and his fathers, together with all the gold in the treasuries of the house of the Lord and in the king’s house, sent them to Hazael, king of Syria, as a present to turn him away from Jerusalem and avoid possible death in war with the invading nation. But death still came from where he least expected it – from his servants. They made a conspiracy and slew him while he was in the house of Millo. Joash had forsaken the Lord.
Death is inevitable; it is described as a necessary end.
Some people, like Joash may escape or avoid situations they consider could endanger their lives only to fall victim to death unexpectedly.
We should live as if death can come at any time. Living so wickedly like Joash carries a heavy penalty. And going into eternity without the opportunity to have one’s sins forgiven is very terrible. Giving one’s life to Christ guarantees forgiveness, peace and a new life.
✍THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: Life is short, and death is certain.
BIBLE IN A YEAR: 1 KINGS 1-2.
MEDITATION
The assassination of the assassinator
- Joash, after the death of his spiritual mentor and benefactor, Jehoiada, backslid into sin through the negative influence of the princes 2 Chronicles 24:17,18.
- The Bible is clear that Satan will not live backsliders alone until he sinks them into greater abominable acts than mere sinners 2 Timothy 3:13, 2 Peter 2:20-22.
- Joash went further to assassinate the son of Jehoiada who was sent to him by God 2 Chronicles 24:20-22.
- He later demonstrated his profanity by giving all the precious treasures in the house of God to the King of Syria, instead of calling on God, I King 12:17,18. Recall that he was the one who mobilised all Judah to contribute and repair the temple vv20,21. Strange backsliding.
- His servants eventually assassinated him vv20. He was the first of the two assassinated king of Judah. Can you recall the second king of Judah assassinated?
Lessons
a. Backsliding is not a christian option, the end is very bitter.
b. What you sow is what you reap. “He that kills with the sword, shall die by the sword”, it is a matter of time. The only escape is true repentance.
c. Evil actions or sin open the door for the enemy to attack and conquer. “Whoso breaks an edge, the serpent shall bite him” Eccl.10:8
d. It is not the beginning that matters but the end. Joash started well but ended badly.
e. Beware of those you allow to influence you. When Jehoiada was the king’s counselor, the king was pleasing God but when he started listening to the princes he ended up as a child of hell.
g. For a saint, sudden death is sudden glory, while for a sinner, sudden death is sudden torment. Your choice?
Q. What other lessons can you learn?
Lord, I hereby say NO to backsliding in my life. Let not the gates of hell prevail over me
Give me discernment not fall into the hands of friendly evil counsellors
I want to end well. Forgive me of all the sins of the past and give me the watchfulness and carefulness needed to end well
Pray that all His children in the church will be given favour and grace to die the death of the righteous
HYMN Have you counted the cost
