DAD'S RAMBLINGS -- LEADERS IN AUTHORITY

DAD'S RAMBLINGS – LEADERS IN AUTHORITY

"So all the people of the land rejoiced and the city was quiet, for they had slain Athaliah with the sword in the king's house. Jehoash was seven years old when he became king." (II Kings 11:20-21)

Just to refresh our memory of the situation, we remember from yesterday's Ramblings that Athaliah was the daughter of Ahab, king of the northern tribes of Israel. She had married Jehoram, king of Judah. He was also called Joram – not to be confused with Joram, king of Israel. Jehoram and Athaliah had a son named Ahaziah, who reigned in Judah. When Ahaziah died, Athaliah coveted her position as the Queen Mother. She did not want to give up her power, so she attempted to have the rest of the royal family killed. She almost succeeded except that one of Ahaziah's sisters, Jehosheba, rescued Joash from this slaughter, and Joash was hidden in the house of God for seven years before he was crowned king of Judah.

The appearance of Joash really upset Athaliah because she was about to lose her power base. She yelled, "Treason, Treason." But her power was gone and she was really the one guilty of treason. She was the one who worked against the governmental system by killing all the heirs to thee throne except Joash. So Athaliah was killed, and the people rejoiced because they were no longer under the thumb of Athaliah.

This reminds me of the proverb that says, "When the righteous are in authority, the people rejoice; but when a wicked man rules, the people mourn" (Proverbs 29:2). As citizens of the United States, we have seen our share of wicked leaders, and we have mourned. But we also have been blessed with some righteous leaders, and we know the difference. The rule of righteous leaders produces peace in a nation. Unrighteous leaders bring chaos and confusion.

I am not advocating assassinating wicked leaders. We are to pray for those in authority. This is God's Word: "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplication, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (I Timothy 2:1-4). We have the choice to pray or to complain. What do you think will be more profitable?

Love, Dad