After the death of his evil father and very evil grandmother, Joash at the age of just seven, is a wonderful breath of new life (v1-2). He was greatly influenced by the priest Jehoiada who had protected and emntored him, but even he wasn’t always right (v3).

Joash embarks on a grest task of restoring the temple. Despite initially very slow progress by the Levites (v5-7), with the king’s lead, the finances for this great task soon come in (v8-11). This allows the work tot ake place (v12-14). Notice how this building project was able to take place through the generous and joyful giving of God’s people.

Things changed greatly in Judah with the death of the priest Jehoiada (v15-18). The king and the people would not listen to the prophets who were sent and they even murdered Zechariah who was a faithful priest and the son of Jehoiada (v18-22). We need to pray for godly leadership to arise and who will be listened to in generation after generation.

Zechariah’s death is avenged with the death of Joash (v22-26). Joash was a young king who started so well and promised so much, but he lost his way. How about you, are you progressing spiritually or have you lost your way? If so, then it is time to repent and seek the Lord afresh.