ONE BRAVE WOMAN

It takes some work to keep the names in this story straight. Athaliah is the mother of Ahaziah, whom Jehu has just killed. Is she grieved? Not that we can tell. She begins killing her grandchildren. Like a litter of puppies in a box, there were lots of little boys in the palace, and any one of them could become king. So a bloodbath begins. Athaliah, a granddaughter of Omri, Ahab's father (see 2 Kings 8:26), wants the throne for herself.

But Jehosheba heads into the mayhem, like a firefighter rushing into a burning building, and rescues one little prince named Joash.

Now, Joash's grandmother Athaliah, his grandfather Jehoram, and his father Ahaziah were all wicked. Humanly speaking, the genes point to another evil king.

But God has other plans. Jehosheba hides Joash in the temple for six years with her husband, Jehoiada the priest (see 2 Chronicles 22:11-12). Together, in dark days, they raise Joash to know the Lord, and he eventually becomes a godly king.

If you're a parent, you are appointed to shelter your children and help them know the Lord. It's a calling from God that shouldn't be left to someone else. It takes a brave soul, one that is prayerful and committed, to do this. But do it, and do it well. Raise your children to be strong in the Lord.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, make me able to bless your children. Help me to raise them up in your ways. Make me brave, wise, and strong for your sake. In Jesus, Amen.

Keith Mannes