Jehoiada the Instructor

By John Duvall In In Remembrance On May 29, 2016

Every person needs trustworthy instructors in his life. The instructor could be someone’s mother or father, a Bible class teacher, a preacher, an elder, or even a brother or sister. In regards to all things spiritual and holy, it is important, especially for young people, to have someone who can give instructions regarding the word of the Lord.

The Bible is filled with many examples of instructors.  One particular instructor was a priest named Jehoiada.  Before we begin our look at Jehoiada, allow me to refresh your memory regarding the back story.

The sixth king of Judah was a man named Ahaziah. Ahaziah had a mother named Athaliah. Athaliah was the granddaughter of Omri, king of Israel. Ahaziah was a wicked king, walking in the same wickedness as did wicked Ahab.  The Bible tells us,

“Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah the granddaughter of Omri, king of Israel.  And he walked in the way of the house of Ahab, and did evil in the sight of the LORD, like the house of Ahab, for he was the son-in-law of the house of Ahab.”  (2 Kings 8:26-27)

After reigning one year, Ahaziah died in Megiddo after being shot with an arrow. (cf. 2 Kings 9:27-28)

When Athaliah heard of her son’s death, she set about to kill the royal offspring.  Jehosheba, the daughter of Ahaziah’s father, king Joram, took Joash, the son of Ahaziah and hid him along with his nurse in the house of the Lord. Joash remained hidden for seven years.  (2 Kings 11:1-3)

In the seventh year, Jehoiada the priest appointed Joash as king. When Athaliah heard the news, she approached the temple, objecting to what had taken place. Jehoiada ordered Athaliah killed outside of the house of the Lord. (2 Kings 11:4-16)

With Athaliah dead and Joash appointed as king, Jehoiada began to instruct Joash in the way of the Lord. Jehoiada made a covenant between the Lord, the king, and the people. All the people of the land tore down the house of Baal along with the altars and the images used in worshiping Baal. Joash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord because of the instructions of Jehoiada the priest. (2 Kings 11:17 – 12:3)

Jehoiada is a very important character in the story of king Joash. Jehoiada was willing to hide and protect Joash. Jehoiada withstood queen Ahtaliah by appointing Joash as king. Jehoiada instructed Joash in the way of the Lord. As a result, Joash faithfully followed the Lord in all things, other than removing the high places.

It is crucial we follow instructors such as Jehoiada. We should look to those who can help us better learn God’s word. Consider as an example the apostle Paul who instructed Timothy in the way of truth.  The apostle Paul wrote,

“For this reason I have sent Timothy to you, who is my beloved and faithful son in the Lord, who will remind you of my ways in Christ, as I teach everywhere in every church” (1 Corinthians 4:17)

Paul considered Timothy his “son in the Lord” because he had instructed Timothy in God’s word.  Paul also considered Titus “a true son in our common faith” (Titus 1:4). While it is possible to learn the Bible through personal Bible study, one who is new to the word or young in the faith needs instructions from more knowledgeable Christians.

Not only should instructors be teaching us the word of God, instructors should also be teaching us how to study. Such instructions are very beneficial in the life of a growing Christian. The instructors will not always be with the students. The instructors must teach the students how to properly study the Bible. By so doing, the student will continue to grow once he has left the feet of the instructor.

We must remember to test those who claim to be teachers. We can accomplish this testing by comparing what the instructor teaches to the word of God.  The apostle John wrote,

“Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world” (1 John 4:1)

This is not to say that we must be skeptical of every instructor. We simply must always compare what we hear with what God’s word teaches. The Bereans were

“more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so“ (Acts 17:11)

We are to become instructors, leading others in the way of Christ.  Recognizing that God will give the increase if we will teach (1 Corinthians 3:6-7), we must stand ready to nurture the new babes in Christ. Let us be prepare to give milk to the babes until they are ready to handle the meat of the word (cf. Hebrews 5:12-14). Knowing the devil “walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8), let us do our best to help protect our babes in Christ. Let us prepare them with knowledge so that they too may grow to be instructors of God’s word.

Jehoiada did a wonderful job in instructing Joash in the ways of the Lord. The inspired record reads,

“Jehoash did what was right in the sight of the LORD all the days in which Jehoiada the priest instructed him.” (2 Kings 12:2)

Let us never stop receiving instructions from God’s word. It is these instructions which will keep us faithful to our heavenly Father and on the road that leads to eternity with God in heaven.