August 29, 2025 - 2 Kings 12:17-21 - "Deadly Compromise"

2 Kings 12:17-21

"Then Hazael king of Syria went up, and fought against Gath, and took it: and Hazael set his face to go up to Jerusalem. And Jehoash king of Judah took all the hallowed things that Jehoshaphat, and Jehoram, and Ahaziah, his fathers, kings of Judah, had dedicated, and his own hallowed things, and all the gold that was found in the treasures of the house of the Lord, and in the king's house, and sent it to Hazael king of Syria: and he went away from Jerusalem. And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? And his servants arose, and made a conspiracy, and slew Joash in the house of Millo, which goeth down to Silla. For Jozachar the son of Shimeath, and Jehozabad the son of Shomer, his servants, smote him, and he died; and they buried him with his fathers in the city of David: and Amaziah his son reigned in his stead."

Here we read of King Jehoash—preserved in his youth by God’s providence, instructed under Jehoiada the priest, and used by the LORD to restore the temple. At first glance, his reign looked promising, almost as if he truly belonged to the LORD. Yet when Hazael, king of Syria, threatened Jerusalem, Jehoash did not turn to the LORD. Instead, he took the holy treasures of God’s house and offered them as a bribe for his own safety (2 Kings 12:18). This was a deadly compromise. How solemn this is. Outward reform does not equate to an inward work of the Spirit. Jehoash could rebuild what Athaliah destroyed, but his heart remained unchanged, because only the Spirit of Grace can turn the heart to the LORD (Titus 3:5). When the test came, he chose self-preservation over trust in the living God. It is a reminder of Esau, who sold his birthright for a single meal (Hebrews 12:16–17). Outward privilege and nearness to the things of God mean nothing if the heart is not bound to Christ by grace.

Our Hope is not in our perseverance, but in the preserving power of Christ. “He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). Those who are His cannot finally be lost, for He has borne their sin, every sin, upon the cross. As the psalmist declares, “As far as the east is from the west, so far hath He removed our transgressions from us” (Psalm 103:12). This is why the unpardonable sin cannot be committed by the redeemed: Christ has paid it all. It is not our resolve that saves us, but His blood shed unto death, resurrection and ascension on High where He ever lives to intercede for each sinner for whom He died and paid their complete sin debt. Remember how Jesus said, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand” (John 10:27–28).

Yet, the story of Jehoash warns us. When Jehoiada the priest died, Jehoash quickly turned to idolatry (2 Chronicles 24:17–18). Without the faithful priest, his heart wandered. How we need our Great High Priest, the LORD Jesus Christ. Without Him, we too would turn aside. “Smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered” (Zechariah 13:7). Yet Christ was smitten for those that the Father gave Him from eternity to come in the flesh and lay down His life for them. When He rose again, it was to ascend back to His Father and now to gather each of His redeemed ones to Himself by His Spirit.

This narrative of Joash’s reign is a solemn reminder that no earthly king, no matter how outwardly zealous, can secure the true peace of God’s people. Though spared from the Syrians by the providence of God, Joash fell under judgment, betrayed and slain by his own servants. His story underscores the frailty of man, the deceitfulness of the heart, and the inevitability of God's justice. Yet beyond the shadows of Judah’s history shines the glorious Light of Christ, the true King, who, unlike Joash, was not slain for His own sins, but willingly laid down His life as the Substitute for His people. He was “wounded for our transgressions” (Isaiah 53:5), and by His death He obtained the Eternal Redemption that no power of devils or men can undo (Hebrews 9:12). In Him alone is salvation from God's wrath, and in Him alone is the Hope of glory. While Joash’s reign ended in death and dishonor, nevertheless, the reign of Christ is established forever in righteousness, grace, and truth—an unshakable kingdom of sovereign mercy to all His redeemed ones (Hebrews 12:28).

May we never lean on the arm of the flesh—whether that of others or our own—but continually look to Christ, who alone is the Righteousness and Justification of His people. When enemies surrounded Stephen, he lifted his eyes to heaven and saw “Jesus standing on the right hand of God” (Acts 7:55). By grace, he did not compromise, for the Spirit of Christ directed his gaze to rest on the LORD Jesus alone. May the LORD keep our hearts steadfastly fixed on Him, knowing that unchecked compromise leads to destruction, but that those who belong to Christ are preserved by His keeping grace. All of God’s delight is in His Son—and in Him, sinners redeemed by His blood and righteousness can never fall away into perdition (Hebrews 10:39).