Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1922-04-08
Sunday School Lesson

program that he worked out with
statesmanlike strategy.
Z. The patriotic priest was moved by
sense Of duty to lead In restoring
the only living heir of the house of
David. The foundation of his pro-
gram was religious. He waited,
watched and worked, so that when the
psychological hour arrived he was
able to marshal his forces to crown
Joash as king. He had secretly pre-
pared to dethrone the usurper. Atha-
liah. for six years. During that pc.
ROD the country was growing dis
gusted with the crimes and indola-'
tries sapctioned by Athaliah. Their
mora. sense was creating desire to,
dethrone her. No government Is Sc
cure that is not supported by the af-'
fections OF the people. Political and
social life can be strong only when
pure religion dominates the people,
NOT through national faith or
church, but through the personal
purity and power of the lives of the
citizens Of the nation, whose daily life
reveals the personal presence Of God
with them.
Jehoiada's plan to restore the wor-
ship of Jehovah and the house of
David at the same time reveals the
daring OF bold and brilliant execu-
tive: He started by revealing the
hidden prince to a few chosen lead
ers. whom he had tested and found to
be desirous Of making an end of
flying Jehovah. He took advantage
of the Sabbath. when he could as
semble the forces to crown the young
king without his plans being pre-
maturely discovered. The Carites.
who were foreign soldiers employed
In the court, and the Levites were d.
vided into two divisions. sworn to
carry out the program of Jehoiada to
make the surviving heir of the house
of David king and to restore the
worship of Jehovah in the temple.
signed the duty of guarding the pal
ace, was ordered. so as to avoid sus-
picion. to keep their usual stations,
"in three detachments; the first at
the porch of the palace. the second at
one of the temble gates, the third at
being the usual hating place of the
guards. the gates OF the runners"
The other division surrounded
the young king in the temple. Their
numbers not only served as an ample
protection for him, but also pre-
vented any attempt to interfere with
coronation, which was carried out in
accordance with the requirements
laid down by Jehovah. 1t called for
the king, when chosen by the people,
to receive a copy OF the Scriptures.
which he was required to study, so
that he might rule the nation in ac-
cordance with the divine will When
Joash had been proclaim and
crowned king. being invested with
the regalia of his office, which called
the people acclaimed him their ruler
by their shouts of God save the
king"
The coronation of the king meant
more than a change of administra-
ton. 1t marked a turning point in
1T 80 Ia1, nctn he
national ideal of loyalty to Jehovah.
who had been openly forsaken by Je-
horam and Athaliah, as well as by
their son, Amazian. who all publicly
worshiped Baal. The reformation of
the religious life of the nation nat
of a revolution that was inspired by
religious ideals rather than political
motives. 1t was necessary that
new covenant be entered into be-
tween Jehovah and Judah. Both the
king and people solemnly pledged
should be the Lords people"
They proved their loyalty to both
the king and their God by refusing
to be moved from their purpose at
the sudden appearance OF Athaliah'
PRED, tried to rally her forces by the
cry of "Treasonr' without success.
Her call revealed her fear. She de-
tected in the changed attitude OF the
people her danger. The trained ex-
ecutive, who had demonstrated her
power as an organizer. failed be-
cause she had fought against Jeho-
yah. She suffered from her own ini-
auity. She reaped what she had
sown. She had attained power by
the pathway of innocent blood. She
carried in her own bloody program
the seeds of her own punishment. NO
one questions the justice of her fate.
The mystery of sin is that men Will
continue to indulge in iniquity. when
every day teaches them that man
cannot escape paying sins penalty.
We cannot outwit God.
Filled With loyalty to Jehovah, the
people showed their hatred OF sin by
destroying not only Athaliah, but by
overthrowing every shrine of Baa!
and breaking in pieces the affairs and
images which adorned the sanctua-
ries of Baal. The high priest OF
Baalism, Mattan, was slain while he
was officiating at the shrine of his
god. The reformation succeeded In
completely roofing up the worship OF
Baal in judah and restoring the wor-
ship Of Jehovah in the dismantled
and decaying old temple, where the
young prince had been hidden and
protected from all harm. by the
watchcare of the Lord, who "preserv-
eth all them that love Him."