Returning Rule to a Good King

The pervasiveness of wickedness in society can make even the most hopeful person feel cynical or despairing. Human trafficking, corruption, murder, the opioid drug use epidemic, and more—every day it seems that evil has modern culture in its grip.

Reading Scriptures helps to remind us that this is nothing new. The swaying, scheming hands of Satan have long sought to make evil flourish and destroy the hope of the people of God (Gen. 3:15: John 8:44; 12:31; Eph. 2:2; 6:11–12; 1 John 5:19). And Scripture also reminds us that God is always faithful to His promises and will not abandon His people without hope.

Ahaziah’s brief reign started badly and ended even worse, with choices to follow the example of Ahab (vv. 3–6). After his death, his mother, Athaliah, claimed the throne. Firmly committed to the ways of Ahab, she went on a murderous rampage against everyone in the royal family (v. 10). Judah’s future looked very bleak indeed.

Athaliah is not the only important woman in this story. Jehosheba—who herself was in the royal family—smuggled Ahaziah’s infant son out of the clutches of the evil queen (vv. 11–12). One woman chose to seize power for herself through any means available. The other woman chose to put her own life on the line to protect God’s ordained lineage of the house of David. When evil appears to flourish, we do well to remember that God raises up men and women like Jehu, Jehosheba, and Jehoiada who have the courage to stand up for God’s truth. May the Lord lead men and women today to seek the removal of evil from society as they serve Christ, the rightful Heir of the kingdom and hope for the restoration of God’s righteousness over the earth.

Pray with Us

Greg Thornton, senior VP of Media, asks for your prayers in anticipation of Moody Radio’s Spring Share fundraiser tomorrow. We pray that financial goals would be met and spiritual objectives would be accomplished for God’s glory.

BY Dr. Eric C. Redmond

Dr. Eric C. Redmond serves as a professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and as associate pastor of adult ministries at Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, Ill. He is married to Pam and they have five children. He is the author of Say It!  Celebrating Expository Preaching in the African American Tradition (Moody Publishers), Where Are All the Brothers? Straight Answers to Men's’ Questions about the Church (Crossway), a commentary on Jonah in the Christ-Centered Exposition Series (B&H Publishers), and a study guide on Ephesians in the Knowing the Bible series (Crossway).