Nothing Like A Good Mentor

 

Imagine being 7 years old and being the king of a great nation! Israel had such a king and his name was Joash. Obviously he had advisors including his mother (Zibia of Beersheba) and a priest named Jehoiada. Under the watchful eye of Jehoiada, Joash “did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada” (2 Chron 24:2)

Under Joash’s reign and the guidance of Jehoiada the priest, the temple which had been neglected was fixed up and adorned with many articles of silver and gold used to enhance the beauty of the temple. Things were going good in Jerusalem and offerings were made to the Lord continually during this time.

But then, the Lord called Jehoiada home at the ripe old age of 130, and without his godly influence things fell apart in a hurry for Joash.

 

2Ch 24:15 But Jehoiada grew old and was full of days, and he died; he was one hundred and thirty years old when he died. 16 And they buried him in the City of David among the kings, because he had done good in Israel, both toward God and His house.

 

What a legacy! A king’s burial for this man of God!

 

 17 Now after the death of Jehoiada the leaders of Judah came and bowed down to the king. And the king listened to them.  18 Therefore they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served wooden images and idols; and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem because of their trespass.

 

Without the corrective influence of Jehoiada, Joash was persuaded to chase after other gods. God then sent prophets to turn his heart back to Him but Joash and his newfound advisors wouldn’t listen!

 

 19 Yet He sent prophets to them, to bring them back to the LORD; and they testified against them, but they would not listen.  20 Then the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest, who stood above the people, and said to them, "Thus says God: 'Why do you transgress the commandments of the LORD, so that you cannot prosper? Because you have forsaken the LORD, He also has forsaken you.'"  21 So they conspired against him, and at the command of the king they stoned him with stones in the court of the house of the LORD.  22 Thus Joash the king did not remember the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but killed his son; and as he died, he said, "The LORD look on it, and repay!"

 

Say it isn’t so! Joash repays the kindness of his mentor (Jehoiada) by killing his son? His son’s dying words were a plea to God to repay this injustice….and God did, as Joash met an untimely end: .

2Ch 24:24 For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men; but the LORD delivered a very great army into their hand, because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. So they executed judgment against Joash. 25 And when they had withdrawn from him (for they left him severely wounded), his own servants conspired against him because of the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and killed him on his bed. So he died. And they buried him in the City of David, but they did not bury him in the tombs of the kings.

 

Jehoiada was given an honorable burial, Joash was not even included in the cemetery set aside for kings. Jehoiada finished the race strong, Joash ran the wrong way!

 

So how does this apply to you and I? First of all, I think it underlines the importance of young men having good spiritual mentors. First and foremost, that is the father’s responsibility, but pastors and mature Christian men of the congregation should come right alongside and reinforce what has been taught at home.

 

Then there’s the stark reminder that even with a good start, the child can become influenced by the world and leave the faith. This is a reality that unfortunately takes place far too often as young men head out into the world.

 

I don’t have a solution to this problem, just a suggestion. Jehoiada was in the grave and could no longer help Joash, you and I are not. Our best course of action then as mentors is to keep the lines of communication open with our young people. No need to preach, you’ve already done that as they were growing up. Every contact you make with them is another sermon, another reminder that there is a better way! Another touch from God that they may need at that very moment.

Is there someone who needs to hear from you today? Ask God and see what He says.