Mentoring God’s Way – Jehoiada and King Joash

Getting a good mentor these days is a tall order! Are you up for the challenge?

Mentorship is a topic that is close to my heart because when I was younger, I wished I had someone to walk with me as I grew up, someone to show me how to navigate the mountains and valleys that lay ahead. Thankfully I have been able to stumble through life and find my way through, with God’s help. I am aware, however, that there are so many people around us who need direction, sound advice, good examples to follow, and a shoulder to lean on.

As I read through the book of 2 Chronicles, I discovered this story – the story of a young king who was hidden away by a priest and his wife until it was time for him to rule. I have read this story many times in the past, but it is only this week that I realized the important role that Jehoiada the priest played in King Joash’s life. Read on to find out more about what I learnt.

Understand what God can accomplish in your mentee’s life

2 Chronicles 22:11-12 “But Ahaziah’s sister Jehosheba, the daughter of King Jehoram, took Ahaziah’s infant son, Joash, and stole him away from among the rest of the king’s children, who were about to be killed. She put Joash and his nurse in a bedroom. In this way, Jehosheba, wife of Jehoiada the priest and sister of Ahaziah, hid the child so that Athaliah could not murder him. Joash remained hidden in the Temple of God for six years while Athaliah ruled over the land.” (NLT)

Jehosheba, sister to Ahaziah (the former king), took a bold step to save Joash from being killed. Incidentally, she also happened to be Jehoiada’s wife. Is it a coincidence that she chose to act this way? And why save Joash, and not any of the other princes? I believe that both she and her husband knew that God had a plan for this little boy, which is why they took the huge risk of hiding him in the temple.

The years passed, and during that time Joash grew up. Meanwhile, Jehoiada was preparing to have him installed as king. The priest organized for Athaliah to be deposed and killed, and Joash was then crowned king.

2 Chronicles 23:3 ‘…the whole assembly made a covenant with the king at the temple of God. Jehoiada said to them, “The king’s son shall reign, as the Lord promised concerning the descendants of David.”’ (NIV)

Jehoiada knew that the Lord desired that one of David’s descendants remain on the throne of Judah. He also knew that the Lord desired that this king be someone who walked in His ways, and as such, must have used Joash’s time in the temple to teach him about God. Later on, during his reign, Joash repaired the temple and led the people in worshipping the true God. Jehoiada knew that if he mentored Joash properly, he would be a king who pleased God, and indeed he was.

Are you mentoring someone at the moment? Have you taken time to pray and ask God what He wants to accomplish in and through this person, and how you are to be part of the process? Ask Him today to show you what your role in your mentee’s life is, and how you are to help this individual fulfill his or her God-given potential. Remember, it’s all about God’s purposes for this person, not yours. You are just a vessel.

Set a good example for the person you are mentoring

2 Chronicles 23:16 “Jehoiada then made a covenant that he, the people and the king would be the Lord’s people.” (NIV)

Jehoiada took a bold step here – he made a covenant on behalf of a people whose faith and commitment he could not vouch for for…but he did it anyway. Why?

To set an example for Joash.

Joash probably already knew how committed the priest was to God and to his faith. He probably even relied on him for spiritual direction. But seeing his mentor make this public declaration was something new. Jehoiada made a commitment to serving the Lord and ensuring that everyone else did so, too.

Jehoiada went on to have the priests resume the burnt offerings to the Lord, a practice previously overtaken by the worship of false gods.

2 Chronicles 23:18-19 “Then Jehoiada placed the oversight of the temple of the Lord in the hands of the Levitical priests, to whom David had made assignments in the temple, to present the burnt offerings of the Lord as written in the Law of Moses, with rejoicing and singing, as David had ordered. He also stationed gatekeepers at the gates of the Lord’s temple so that no one who was in any way unclean might enter.” (NIV)

2 Chronicles 24:14 “…And the burnt offerings were sacrificed continually in the Temple of the Lord during the lifetime of Jehoiada the priest.” (NLT)

What an example this was! As the priest of the day, Jehoiada took charge and reinstated true worship in the nation of Judah. Without him, the people of Judah would have continued to worship false gods and incur the wrath of the almighty God. Jehoiada made this brave decision not only for the sake of the people, however, but also to show Joash the right way – the Lord’s way.

One priest, through his actions, influenced a whole nation towards God. What a great example for Joash!

Several years ago, when I was working in a place where my faith was under attack, I started drifting away, and almost gave up on God! An older lady in church noticed what was going on, and she jolted me back to my senses with a simple statement – “Will you give up on your faith just because of this? God will surely walk with you as He has walked with me.” As I looked at her life, I realized that what she was saying was true. She had been out of a job for many years and had never given up on the Lord, despite numerous trials and temptations. I had no reason to do so either.

Setting a good example is not that complicated, by the way. Simply live out your faith and your principles authentically. Be real with your mentee, and candidly explain the facts of life. Most importantly, show them how important God is to you, just like Jehoiada did. Your mentee is more likely to learn from what you do than from what you say!

Be there

Joash grew up and started performing his ‘kingly’ duties. Though he was now able to take care of himself and the nation of Judah, however, Jehoiada still remained close by.

2 Chronicles 24:2-3 “Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years of Jehoiada the priest. Jehoiada chose two wives for him, and he had sons and daughters.” (NIV)

As long as Jehoiada lived, Joash remained faithful to the Lord. I can imagine the King knew that he would get a talking to if he did otherwise.

Jehoiada even chose his wives! He must have had vested interests – to choose women who would not lead Joash away from the Lord.

So, when Joash had a problem with the priests, he asked Jehoiada to step in…

2 Chronicles 24:5-6 “He called together the priests and Levites and said to them, “Go to the towns of Judah and collect the money due annually from all Israel, to repair the temple of your God. Do it now.” But the Levites did not act at once. Therefore the king summoned Jehoiada the chief priest and said to him, “Why haven’t you required the Levites to bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax imposed by Moses the servant of the Lord and by the assembly of Israel for the tent of the covenant law?” (NIV)

Shortly after Joash complained to Jehoiada, the Levites followed his instructions. Maybe it was because they respected the priest more, or because they needed his approval. Bottom line is, they carried out the task the King had given them, with the help of Jehoiada.

There must have been other instances where Joash still turned to Jehoiada for advice or help. Joash was able to do so freely because he trusted him, and he knew that Jehoiada would always have his back. Jehoiada was there for Joash.

Mentees often complain that after the mentor’s work is done, they are left high and dry, all on their own. Do you want to be an effective and godly mentor? Stick around even after your job is done. Be there when your mentee needs help. Walk with your mentee when he or she asks you to do so. Keep an eye on your mentee. Most importantly, pray for him or her.

Though mentorship may be time-consuming, challenging and exhausting, it is one of the most fruitful things you can engage in. Seeing another person grow in the faith, build a career, become an effective minister and develop healthy relationships is quite rewarding if done right. Mentors, take heart. God will show you the best way to do what He has sent you to do, and He will give you the strength to do it. Mentees, listen, watch and learn, because when your mentorship period is over, God will send you to mentor someone!

The verse below aptly describes what godly mentorship is all about.

Proverbs 9:9 “Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more.” (NLT) 

 

 

Hello, everyone! I hope you enjoyed reading this week’s blog post, and that you have learnt a little about godly mentorship. Please share this article with someone who may benefit from it, and don’t forget to leave your comments in the comment box below. Have a blessed week ahead!