170 - The Temple Repaired

King Joash repairs the temple.
Source

Chareen's Thoughts

• Jehoiada was the priest in Jerusalem.  He made a covenant between the LORD, the king and the people.  At this the people tore down the temples of Baal and killed the priests of Baal.  
• King Joash was seven years old when he became the king and he did what was right in the LORD's sight throughout the time of Jehoiada instructed him.
• Joash instructed the priests to collect the taxes instructed by Moses to maintain and repair the temple.  The priests however did not do it so he called Jehoiada in and enquired why it was not done.
• Jehoahaz became king of Israel and did evil before the Lord who handed him over to Hazael king of Aram. They were oppressed and Jehoahaz saught the Lord who then released them from their oppression.
• By the 23 year of King Joash's reign the priests still had not repaired the temple so Joash took the responsibility and repaired it.  He placed a box at the altar to collect money for it's repair and used that to pay for it.
• Moreover, they did not require an accounting from the men into whose hands they delivered the money to be paid to the workmen, for they dealt faithfully. 2 Kings 12:15 can you imagine that in today's society ?
• Once the repairs were complete the money left over was used to make articles for the LORD's temple. Articles required to make offerings.
• Today we are introduced to the book of Joel.  His opening words are about a plague of locusts.

I was astonished to read that the priests of the land were given the instruction to fix the temple and for 23 years did nothing.  It took the king's hand to make it happen.  I was also impressed with the fact that no accounting was needed because the men worked in integrity.
This made me think about my own personal integrity and do I walk in it ?

Joash placed a collection box near the altar.  The end of today's reading refers to this verse which I somehow missed in my earlier readings. Deuteronomy 16:16-17   16 ... They shall not appear before the Lord empty-handed: 17 Every man shall give as he is able, according to the blessing of the Lord your God which He has given you.
I know this verse is speaking about the males appearing before the Lord but as I read it I was struck about the principle behind this.  What are your thougths.
Blessings
Chareen