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2 Kings 11:17-20, Jehoiada then made a covenant between the Lord and the king and people that they would be the Lord’s people. He also made a covenant between the king and the people. All the people of the land went to the temple of Baal and tore it down. They smashed the altars and idols to pieces and killed Mattan the priest of Baal in front of the altars.

Then Jehoiada the priest posted guards at the temple of the Lord. He took with him the commanders of hundreds, the Carites, the guards and all the people of the land, and together they brought the king down from the temple of the Lord and went into the palace, entering by way of the gate of the guards. The king then took his place on the royal throne. All the people of the land rejoiced, and the city was calm, because Athaliah had been slain with the sword at the palace.

After King Ahaziah is killed, his mother, Athaliah (Ahab and Jezebel’s daughter), finds her way to the throne.  She has all the royals killed, including her own grandchildren, to ensure that only she could rule Judah.  The woman was pure evil.

But remember God’s promise – a descendent of David will sit on the throne of Judah forever.  What Athaliah failed to realize was that one of her grandsons, Joash, still just a baby, was hidden away by his nurse.  At just the right time, the priest Jehoiada plans a counterrevolution, in which Athaliah is overthrown and Joash, all of age seven, becomes king. The priest presents the youngster with a copy of the covenant and King Joash is unanimously supported. 

Our focus verses today refer to what happens after Athaliah is killed and Joash is made king.  The priest Jehoiada makes a covenant between the Lord and the king and his people.  There was also a covenant between the king and the people themselves.  Obviously, the king was all of seven years old so Jehoiada does this on the king’s behalf.  But the renewal of the covenant was essential because after the previous wayward kings, the people had totally forgotten who they were.  Covenant renewal restores their identity, although it will be a long road to relearn what it means to be the people of God. 

This covenant renewal also reminds the people of God’s promise to David.  For the six years of Athaliah’s rule, it appeared on the surface that this promise had been disrupted.  But by ensuring Joash’s safety, the line of David had stayed intact.  The promise is, afterall, unbreakable.

Let’s pray…Lord, Thank you for your faithful, unbreakable promises.  How scary it can be when we realize that we aren’t that different from the people of Judah.  How often we forget who and whose we are.  Help us always remember that we belong to you.  We are set apart, a chosen people, a holy priesthood, your special possession.  Help us remember that you love us but you also have expectations and standards.  Help us, Lord Jesus, as we seek to be the people you called us to be.  We need you.  On our own we mess up over and over again.  Help us, empower us, guide us.  More of you and less of me, Jesus.  Amen.