Human Response 435: Listen to Godly Advice

2 Kings 12:2 And Jehoash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all the days wherein Jehoiada the priest instructed him.

Jehoash was one of the best kings of Judah as far as doing what was right in the eyes of God. One reason for his goodness was that he had a godly instructor in Jehoiada the high priest. Jehoiada and his wife Jehosheba hid him in the temple and preserved his life until he was anointed king at age seven. Since he was such a young king he needed, and he followed, the wise counsel and godly instruction of a man of God.

As long as he listened he did good. Joash repaired and restored the temple to the glory of a house of God. Being raised in the temple and living under the tutelage of a faithful believer trained him to be a rarity, a truly good king. However, his reforms did not go far enough, for he did not take away the high places where the people sacrificed and burnt incense.

The lesson for us is twofold: We can respond to the Lord by 1) listening to the instruction of godly men and woman who faithfully teach the Word of God, and by 2) instructing younger men and woman in the word and ways of God. We can make good use of the influence God has given to us.