2 chronicles chapter 22 speaks to those of us behind the scenes. I think every one of us can think of a person, obscure to the rest of the world that had a profound impact on our life. It might have been a grade school teacher, or a single conversation at just the right time. The chapter discusses kings and nations, war and murder, but one person’s action preserved God’s plan of redemption. The chapter begins with a recap; the youngest son of King Jehoram was made king of Judah (because all of his brothers had been killed). “Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem one year.” We are told this young man “did evil in the eyes of the Lord” and that “his mother encouraged him in doing wrong“. Who was this mother of the year? She was Athaliah, the daughter of King Ahab and Jezebel, Israel’s most wicked couple. In an effort to make peace between the nations, Ahaziah’s father had married Ahab’s daughter. Ahaziah, following the direction of his mother and her corrupt advisors, joined Israel in battle and both were defeated by the Syrians. We do not choose our family, but we do decide who we will associate with. At some point we responsible for the decisions we make. Proverbs 13:20 reminds us, “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm“.
Young King Ahaziah went to visit the king of Israel because he had been wounded in the battle. And we read, “While Jehu was executing judgment on the house of Ahab, he found the princes of Judah… He then went in search of Ahaziah, and his men captured him while he was hiding in Samaria. He was brought to Jehu and put to death“. With Ahaziah dead, his wonderful mother took the opportunity to take control of the nation. “When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she proceeded to destroy the whole royal family of the house of Judah“. It is important to realize that if she succeeded, she would have cut off the line of David. Remember, God promised the Messiah would be born a descendent of King David. “But Jehosheba… took Joash son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the royal princes who were about to be murdered and put him and his nurse in a bedroom“. I don’t think this kid’s aunt knew the importance she had in God’s plan. I think she just did what she knew was right. I am convinced God will use each of us right where we are, even though we might not realize it. Galatians 6:9 encourages regular folks, “let us not grow weary while doing good“.
As the chapter ends, we read “she hid the child from Athaliah so she could not kill him. He remained hidden with them at the temple of God for six years while Athaliah ruled the land“. Many of us worry that we don’t have the ability to serve God. It’s interesting, but there is no record of Aunt Jehosheba saying a word. 1 Corinthians 12:5 reminds us, “There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord“. Has God been teaching you something? God uses faulty people like you and me to minister in His Name. James 1:22 encourages each of us, “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only“. Perhaps you will change someone else’s life today?