Previous Challenge Entry (Level 2 – Intermediate)
Topic: RESTORATION (12/03/20)
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TITLE: Athaliah, Queen of Judah | Previous Challenge Entry
By Shanta Richard
12/09/20 -
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Searching the scriptures diligently may yield surprising results. That's how I found the story of Athaliah, Queen of Judah. The original kingdom of Israel had been divided into Israel, a wicked idolatrous nation and Judah, God's chosen nation. Daughter of the wicked King Omri of Israel, Athaliah became the wife of Jehoram, King of Judah. This might have been an alliance to strengthen Judah against the threat of her enemies. Whatever the reason, Jehoram abandoned the God of his fathers and became an idol worshipper. God punished him with an incurable disease and he died. His son Ahaziah succeeded him. Queen Athaliah, became his adviser and counsellor, leading the nation into deeper sin and misery.
Consequently, his own servants murdered King Ahaziah. Utilizing this opportunity, Queen Athaliah connived the murder of all the royal princes and usurped the throne. The nation suffered under her ruthless reign and cried out to God for mercy. Unknown to the Queen the youngest son of Ahaziah, had been saved by his aunt and hidden in the house of the Lord. Nurtured physically and spiritually by his aunt and her husband, Jehoiada, the priest, the young prince, Joash, grew up in the seclusion of the house of God to be heathy, strong, wise and God-fearing.
Six years later, Jehoiada gathered the other priests of the the nation and the elders in the house of the Lord, and secretly crowned and anointed Joash as King of Judah, restoring God's promise to David that the throne will remain with his descendants as long as they remain faithful to Him.A grateful nation accepted him, and joyfully celebrated his coronation. Queen Athaliah lost her kingdom and her life. The Bible records that, " Joash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all his days wherein Jehoiada, the priest instructed him ( 2Kings.12:2. KJV).
The happy conclusion to this story is that God in His mercy restored Joash to his rightful throne and Joash sanctified and restored God's temple for His believers to worship and glorify Him. As for me, I learnt the value of being separated from the world and being secluded with God. This time of one- on-one communication with Him revives my faith and prepares me to be used in His plan for the redemption of His people.
(Ref:2 Chronicles 21 to23; 2 Kings 8:25 - 29; 11: 1-21; 12:1-15. KJV) The story is retold from these scriptures.
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