I'd like to welcome everyone today to this edition of the Weekend Sermon. I am posting this message one day later than normal because the library where I work on the computer was closed Friday for Veteran's Day.
This has been a busy week for me. I've been working on writing and doing a lot of work around the house. I am still trying to find a job that will cause less stress. I would ask that you continue to please pray for me on this account.
In prayer this week, please pray for those recovering from damage due to natural disasters around the world. Many people are still suffering. Also, pray for the leaders of this world. We are living in distressing times. Pray that God's will will be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Today on the radio, I heard a report about the terrible war and refugee crisis that is occurring in South Sudan. Please pray that peace can come to this nation. Remember to keep praying for peace in Iraq and Syria.
For our prayer focus countries this week, let us all pray that the message of Jesus' love will reach many people in Eritrea and Myanmar.
For the last several weeks, we have been in a series of messages focusing on some of the less well-known characters in the Bible. Today, will be the last message in this series. Down the line I might have so more messages on this topic, but it will be sometime after our upcoming parables of Jesus series.
Today, I would like us to focus our attention on a courageous woman by the name of Jehosheba. We mentioned her briefly when we looked at the life of King Joash in our Kings of Israel and Judah sermon series.
Jehosheba was the daughter of King Jehoram of Judah. She was the half-sister of King Ahaziah of Judah. Ahaziah was killed during Jehu's rebellion against King Joram of Israel.
When Ahaziah's mother, Athaliah heard the news that her son had been killed, she saw this as an opportunity to seize power for herself. She decided to kill any of Ahaziah's line that might be able to assume the throne now that he was dead.
This is where Jehosheba jumped into action. Jehosheba was the wife of the high priest named Jehoiada. When Jehosheba heard what Athaliah was doing, Jehosheba took young Joash and his nurse and hid them both in a room inside the Temple.
Athaliah was not able to find young Joash, but that did not stop her from assuming the throne. Athaliah was an evil ruler. She was the only queen over Israel or Judah until the time of the Hasmonean dynasty when Salome Alexandra was queen in Israel. This was after the time of the Maccabean revolt.
Athaliah ruled for six years. During that time, Joash was safely hidden away by Jehosheba. She made sure that the queen was not able to find the young prince. Eventually, Joash was elevated to the throne when Jehoiada orchestrated a rebellion against the queen.
What is so sad is that Joash would eventually turn his back on the things of the Lord. Jehosheba and Jehoiada's son Zechariah would eventually become high priest. When Zechariah confronted Joash regarding his sin, Joash had Zechariah killed. Later, Joash was assasinated.
So, what can we learn from the life and actions of Jehosheba. First of all, I see in Jehosheba the fact that your ancestry does not have to dictate how you live your life. Jehosheba was the daughter of a king that did not follow the ways of the Lord. However, Jehosheba was a righteous woman who married the high priest, and she did what was right. She did not follow the bad example that was set for her.
I know many people who were raised in less than ideal circumstances, but they were able to overcome their past and achieve great things. They overcame the odds. Just because people in your family don't do what is right, it doesn't mean you have to follow them.
If you are trying to do your best in spite of what those around you are doing, I urge you to stay strong. Read the Bible and gain strength from it. Continue in prayer, and let the Lord speak to your heart and encourage you. Find someone at church or at school who can be a mentor and can help you make the right choices in life. Also, if you know someone who you can be a mentor and a friend to, please do that. You never know what a great difference you can make in someone's life.
Jehosheba was a woman of great courage. If Athaliah would have found out what Jehosheba was up to, she would have killed Jehosheba without hesitation. In spite of this, Jehosheba hid her nephew for six years.
By hiding Joash, Jehosheba helped to fulfill the promise that God made to David. God promised David that someone from his line would always rule over Israel. Joash was in the line of David. If he would have been killed, the promise would not have been fulfilled. The ultimate fulfillment of the Davidic Covenant is Jesus Christ. As the descendant of David, Jesus reigns as King of Kings and Lord of Lords forever and forever. Through the actions of Jehosheba, the will and purposes of the Lord were accomplished.
We live in trying times in this world. I certainly don't see the world getting better and better right now. The forces of hate, racism and selfishness seem to be rampant all across the world. Those who believe in what Jesus taught have to be strong and courageous in these times. In spite of what the world around is advocating, we have to stand strong for the good and for what is in keeping with the life and teachings of Jesus our Lord.
Following Jesus and His teachings of love may cost us in our social relationships and it may cost us economically. Some people right now in our world are facing great persecution for following Jesus. In spite of the persecution we may face, we need to stand up for Jesus.
There have been many great Christians who have stood up for justice and for what is right throughout the history of the church. There were Christians like William Wilberforce who led the fight against slavery in Britain. Many Christians have stood up for the poor and have stood up against the exploitation of the oppressed. Here in the United States, Christians were at the forefront of the Civil Rights movement.
Those who would be followers of Jesus need to stand for justice and righteousness in the world. Let us take encouragement from people like Jehosheba who stood up for the right even in difficult circumstances.
It is my hope that all believers in Jesus Christ who read this blog will not take part in anyway in the hate, racism and selfishness that is becoming so predominant in the world. Be a light against this darkness. Stand for justice. Stand against the exploitation of the poor and the oppressed. Stand up for those who need help. Always be a beacon of the love of Jesus Christ.
Next week, I will post a sermon in keeping with the theme of thanksgiving since it will soon be the Thanksgiving holiday here in the United States. After that, we will move into the Advent season. On Monday, I will post the verses for the week, and there will be book review on Wednesday. May God bless you all. Amen.
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