2 Chronicles 24:4
Some time later, Joash set his heart on repairing the house of the LORD.
Some time later
This phrase indicates a passage of time since the previous events described in the text. Joash became king at a young age, and his early reign was heavily influenced by Jehoiada the priest. The phrase suggests a period of stability and growth in Joash's reign, allowing him to focus on religious reforms. This timing is significant as it reflects a period when Joash had matured and was able to make independent decisions regarding the spiritual and physical state of the kingdom.

Joash set his heart
The expression "set his heart" implies a deep, personal commitment and determination. In biblical terms, the heart often represents the center of one's will and emotions. Joash's decision to repair the temple was not merely a political or superficial act but a sincere desire to honor God. This reflects the influence of Jehoiada's godly mentorship and the importance of spiritual leadership in guiding the king's priorities.

on repairing the house of the LORD
The "house of the LORD" refers to Solomon's Temple in Jerusalem, which had fallen into disrepair due to neglect and the idolatrous practices of previous kings. Repairing the temple was a significant undertaking, both physically and spiritually, as it symbolized the restoration of proper worship and covenant faithfulness. This act of restoration is reminiscent of other biblical figures who prioritized the temple, such as Hezekiah and Josiah, and foreshadows the ultimate restoration through Jesus Christ, who referred to His body as the temple (John 2:19-21). The temple's repair also highlights the importance of maintaining a place dedicated to the worship of God, a theme echoed throughout Scripture.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Joash
The king of Judah who began his reign at a young age and was influenced by the priest Jehoiada. He is noted for his initial dedication to restoring the temple.

2. The House of the LORD
Refers to the temple in Jerusalem, which was the central place of worship for the Israelites and had fallen into disrepair.

3. Repairing the Temple
This event marks a significant moment in Joash's reign, where he prioritizes the restoration of the temple, reflecting his commitment to the worship of Yahweh.
Teaching Points
Commitment to God's Work
Joash's decision to repair the temple demonstrates a heart committed to God's work. Believers today are called to prioritize and invest in the spiritual "temples" of their lives, such as their relationship with God and the church community.

The Importance of Spiritual Leadership
Joash was influenced by Jehoiada, the priest. This underscores the importance of godly mentorship and leadership in guiding individuals and communities toward faithfulness to God.

Restoration and Renewal
Just as Joash set his heart on restoring the physical temple, Christians are encouraged to seek spiritual renewal and restoration in their lives, ensuring that their "temple" is a fitting dwelling for the Holy Spirit.

The Role of the Community
The repair of the temple was a communal effort, involving the people of Judah. This highlights the importance of community in achieving God's purposes and the collective responsibility of believers to support the work of the church.
Bible Study Questions
1. What motivated Joash to repair the temple, and how can we apply this motivation to our spiritual lives today?

2. How does the physical restoration of the temple in Joash's time relate to the spiritual restoration that believers are called to pursue?

3. In what ways can we, as a church community, support and participate in the "repair" and strengthening of our local church?

4. How does the influence of godly leaders, like Jehoiada, impact our spiritual journey, and who are the spiritual mentors in your life?

5. Reflect on 1 Corinthians 3:16-17. How does understanding that we are God's temple influence the way we live and make decisions?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Kings 12
Provides a parallel account of Joash's reign and his efforts to repair the temple, offering additional details about the process and challenges faced.

1 Kings 8
Solomon's dedication of the temple, highlighting the temple's significance as a place of worship and God's dwelling among His people.

Psalm 27:4
Expresses a desire to dwell in the house of the LORD, reflecting the importance of the temple as a place of communion with God.

1 Corinthians 3:16-17
Paul speaks of believers as God's temple, drawing a spiritual parallel to the physical temple's significance.
Glad Givers and Faithful WorkersAlexander Maclaren2 Chronicles 24:4
A Good Intention Well Carried OutT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 24:4-11
Church RenovationW. Clarkson 2 Chronicles 24:4-14
Indifferences RebukedA. Maclaren, D.D.2 Chronicles 24:4-14
Joash Repairing the TempleMonday Club Sermons2 Chronicles 24:4-14
Repairing the TempleF. W. P. Greenwood, D.D.2 Chronicles 24:4-14
The Temple RepairedH. H. French.2 Chronicles 24:4-14
The Temple RepairedW. Landrum, D. D.2 Chronicles 24:4-14
People
Amaziah, Aram, Athaliah, David, Jehoiada, Jehozabad, Joash, Levites, Shimeath, Shimrith, Syrians, Zabad, Zechariah, Zibiah
Places
Beersheba, Damascus, Jerusalem
Topics
Decided, Desire, Heart, Joash, Jo'ash, Minded, Order, Pass, Renew, Repair, Restore, Temple
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 24:4

     9165   restoration

2 Chronicles 24:1-14

     7245   Judah, kingdom of

2 Chronicles 24:4-12

     5577   taxation

2 Chronicles 24:4-13

     5508   ruins

Library
The King's Farewell
'Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. 29. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30. And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Joash
'And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.... 17. Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.'--2 CHRON. xxiv. 2, 17. Here we have the tragedy of a soul. Joash begins life well and for the greater part of it remains faithful to his conscience and to his duty, and then, when outward circumstances change, he casts all behind him, forgets the past and commits moral
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Glad Givers and Faithful Workers
'And it came to pass after this, that Joash was minded to repair the house of the Lord. 5. And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not. 6. And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Channel of Power.
A Word that Sticks and Stings. I suppose everyone here can think of three or four persons whom he loves or regards highly, who are not christians. Can you? Perhaps in your own home circle, or in the circle of your close friends. They may be nice people, cultured, lovable, delightful companions, fond of music and good books, and all that; but this is true of them, that they do not trust and confess Jesus as a personal Savior. Can you think of such persons in your own circle? I am going to wait a
S.D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on Power

The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Conclusion
"Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth" (Rev. 19:6). In our Foreword to the Second Edition we acknowledge the need for preserving the balance of Truth. Two things are beyond dispute: God is Sovereign, man is responsible. In this book we have sought to expound the former; in our other works we have frequently pressed the latter. That there is real danger of over-emphasising the one and ignoring the other, we readily admit; yea, history furnishes numerous examples of cases of each. To emphasise
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
The first important part of the Old Testament put together as a whole was the Pentateuch, or rather, the five books of Moses and Joshua. This was preceded by smaller documents, which one or more redactors embodied in it. The earliest things committed to writing were probably the ten words proceeding from Moses himself, afterwards enlarged into the ten commandments which exist at present in two recensions (Exod. xx., Deut. v.) It is true that we have the oldest form of the decalogue from the Jehovist
Samuel Davidson—The Canon of the Bible

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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