DAILY TEXT, Thursday April 3, 2025, Trembling before men is a trap, but he who trusts in Jehovah will be protected (Prov. 29:25).

Let us examine the scriptures every day 2025

Thursday April 3, 2025

To tremble before men is a trap, but he who trusts in Jehovah will be protected (Prov. 29:25).

The high priest Jehoiada feared Jehovah. When Jezebel's daughter Athaliah illegally seized the throne of Judah, Jehoiada demonstrated how much she feared God. Athaliah was so cruel and thirsty for power that in order to reign she tried to kill all the king's heirs, her own grandchildren! (2 Chron. 22:10, 11). But thanks to Jehosabeat, Jehoiada's wife, one of them was saved, a little boy named Jehoash. She and her husband hid him and took care of him. Thus they protected the line of kings of David's family. Jehoiada was loyal to Jehovah and did not stand idly by for fear of Athaliah. When Jehoash was seven years old, Jehoiada again demonstrated his loyalty to Jehovah. He devised a plan. If things went well, the king would be Jehoash, a legitimate heir to David. But if he failed, Jehoiada would most likely lose his life. Thanks to Jehovah's blessing, the plan was a complete success. w23.06 17 paras. 12, 13.

How did Jehoiada prove his loyalty again?

When Jehoash was seven years old, Jehoiada again demonstrated his loyalty to Jehovah. He devised a plan. If things went well, the king would be Jehoash, a legitimate heir to David. But if he failed, Jehoiada would most likely lose his life. Thanks to Jehovah's blessing, the plan was a complete success. With the support of the heads of the paternal households and the Levites, Jehoiada appointed Jehoash king and ordered Athaliah to be killed (2 Chron. 23:1-5, 11, 12, 15; 24:1). Then “he made a covenant between Jehovah and the king and the people, in which they agreed to remain Jehovah's people” (2 Kings 11:17). “He also placed the gatekeepers at the doors of the house of the Lord so that no one who was in any way unclean could enter” (2 Chron. 23:19).

What honor did Jehoiada receive for having honored Jehovah?

Jehovah had said, “I will honor those who honor me,” and he did so in the case of Jehoiada (1 Sam. 2:30). For example, he saw to it that the good things this high priest did were written in his Word as an example to us (Rom. 15:4). And when Jehoiada died, he received a very special honor: “he was buried in the City of David with the kings, because he had done good in Israel in relation to the true God and his house” (2 Chron. 24:15, 16).

What does the story of Jehoiada teach us? (See also images).

The story about Jehoiada helps us all to fear God more. Elders can follow his example by remaining vigilant to loyally protect God's flock (Acts 20:28). Older brothers can learn that if they fear Jehovah and are loyal, he can count on them to do his will. it does not exclude them. Young people can note how Jehovah treated Jehoiada and treat older brothers with dignity and respect, especially those who have a long history of faithful service (Prov. 16:31). And finally, we can all learn a lesson from the heads of the fathers' houses and the Levites: we must loyally support and obey those who lead us (Heb. 13:17).

How did Jehoash show that he was spiritually weak?

As a young man, King Jehoash strove to please Jehovah through the good influence of Jehoiada (2 Kings 12:2). But after Jehoiada's death, Jehoash listened to apostate princes. As a result, he and the people “became serving the sacred poles and the idols” (2 Chron. 24:4, 17, 18). Although this hurt Jehovah greatly, “he kept sending them prophets to bring them back.” But “they refused to listen.” They did not even pay attention to Jehoiada's son, Zechariah, who was a prophet and priest, and was also Jehoash's cousin. And, as if that were not enough, Jehoash had Zechariah killed even though he owed his life to his family. How ungrateful! (2 Chron. 22:11; 24:19-22).

All Rights Reserved Copyright © 2024 Watch Tower Bible and Tract Society of Pennsylvania JW.ORG.