Episode 218 | Joash, Jesus, and Days of Joel: When Kings Rebuild and Prophets Calls for Repentance

In this episode we enter the conflicting world of 2 Kings 11:1–21, where political ambition, idolatry, and God’s faithfulness shape the future of Judah. Our initial focus is Queen Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and granddaughter of Omri, whose marriage to King Jehoram of Judah extended the influence of Baal worship into the southern kingdom of Judah, replicating the idolatry of Northern Israel in Southern Judah. Her influence mirrors the dynamics of Jezebel in the north, and her seizure of the throne after her son Ahaziah’s death reflects a similar pattern of spiritual corruption and political manipulation. As we explore this background, we consider the possibility that God may have brought covenant discipline on Judah in a manner similar to what happened in the days of Ahab. Just as the idolatrous northern kingdom of Israel experienced famine during the ministry of Elijah and Elisha, the seven-year reign of Athaliah may have included a similar form of divine discipline. This proposed historical setting opens a compelling doorway into the prophetic ministry of Joel. If Joel’s message belongs to this period, then the events of 2 Kings 11:1–3 would form the backdrop to his warnings and calls to repentance, while the restoration that unfolds in 2 Kings 11:4–20 could reflect a positive response to his prophetic message and ministry. The story then shifts from Athaliah to the young heir Joash, preserved by God in the temple for six years before being revealed and crowned. When Joash takes the throne, he steps into a distinctly kingly and Messianic task: building, repairing and restoring the Temple of the Lord. The temple of the Lord had been neglected and possibly abandoned for years under Jehoram and Athaliah, and Joash’s restoration work embodies the biblical pattern in which Israelite kings build or renew God’s dwelling place among His people. This theme prepares us for a parallel in the Gospel of John, where Jesus as the Christ - the King of Israel - identifies his own body as the true temple. He not only cleanses the temple of his body but also reconstructs it in the resurrection. His zeal for the dwelling place of God is the same zeal he carries toward us, as he cleanses and rebuilds our own lives so that we become a living temple of the Spirit. We conclude by introducing the direction of the next episode, where we will explore the book of Joel, his prophetic message, and how the events surrounding Athaliah and Joash his ministry may shed light on the book of Joel. Key Passages: 2 Kings 11:1-12:16 John 2:13-22 Explainer Video (    • How to Use Bible Hub and Blue Letter Bible...   )⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ on how to use ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.biblehub.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.blueletterbible.org⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Leave us a question or comment at our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website podcast page⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://onelifenashville.wixsite.com/... . Intro Music: "Admirable" Carlos Herrera Music 💙 Like what you’re hearing? We’re a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and your donation helps us keep creating content that sparks rare but vital conversations about Jesus. All gifts are tax-deductible. You can support the podcast here: 𝗖𝗮𝘀𝗵 𝗔𝗽𝗽: $onelifenash 𝗩𝗲𝗻𝗺𝗼: @onelifenash 𝗣𝗮𝘆𝗣𝗮𝗹: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted... 🙏 Thank you for partnering with us — it means more than you know.