2 Chronicles 24:8
At the king's command a chest was made and placed outside, at the gate of the house of the LORD.
At the king’s command
This phrase indicates the authority and initiative of King Joash in the narrative. The Hebrew root for "command" is "צוָה" (tsavah), which implies a directive or order given with authority. Historically, this reflects the king's role as a leader who is responsible for the spiritual and physical welfare of the nation. Joash's command signifies a return to proper worship and temple maintenance, aligning with the covenantal responsibilities of a king in Israel.

a chest was made
The making of a chest, or "אָרוֹן" (aron) in Hebrew, is significant as it symbolizes a tangible step towards reform and restoration. The chest was intended to collect funds for the repair of the temple, which had fallen into disrepair. This act of creating a chest demonstrates a practical approach to stewardship and accountability in the community of faith. It also reflects the biblical principle of giving as an act of worship and commitment to God's house.

and placed outside
Placing the chest outside, specifically at a public location, ensured transparency and accessibility. This decision underscores the importance of integrity and openness in the handling of resources dedicated to God. It also allowed all people, regardless of status, to participate in the restoration effort, fostering a sense of communal responsibility and unity in worship.

at the gate of the house of the LORD
The "gate" or "שַׁעַר" (sha'ar) in Hebrew, was a place of significance in ancient Israelite society. It was not only an entry point but also a place of gathering and decision-making. By placing the chest at the gate of the temple, it emphasized the centrality of the temple in the life of Israel and the importance of maintaining the sanctity and functionality of the house of the LORD. This act served as a reminder of the covenant relationship between God and His people, and the temple as the focal point of worship and divine presence.

Persons / Places / Events
1. King Joash
The king of Judah who initiated the repair of the temple. His reign is marked by a return to the worship of Yahweh, influenced by the priest Jehoiada.

2. Jehoiada the Priest
A key religious leader who guided King Joash in his early years. He played a significant role in the spiritual revival of Judah.

3. The Temple of the LORD
The central place of worship in Jerusalem, which had fallen into disrepair and needed restoration.

4. The Chest
A collection box placed at the temple gate to gather funds for the temple's repair, symbolizing communal responsibility and participation in worship.

5. The People of Judah
The community called to contribute to the temple's restoration, reflecting their commitment to God and His house.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Leadership in Worship
King Joash's command to repair the temple highlights the role of leaders in guiding spiritual renewal. Leaders today should prioritize the spiritual health of their communities.

Communal Responsibility in Worship
The placement of the chest at the temple gate signifies that maintaining the house of God is a collective effort. Believers are called to contribute their resources for the work of the church.

Restoration and Renewal
The physical restoration of the temple symbolizes spiritual renewal. Just as the temple needed repair, our spiritual lives require regular renewal and dedication to God.

Generosity as Worship
The act of giving for the temple's repair is an act of worship. Christians are encouraged to view their financial contributions as a form of worship and service to God.

Obedience to God's Commands
The initiative to repair the temple was in obedience to God's commands regarding worship. Believers are reminded of the importance of obeying God's instructions in all aspects of life.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does King Joash's leadership in repairing the temple inspire you to take initiative in your own community or church?

2. In what ways can you contribute to the "repair" or support of your local church, both financially and through service?

3. Reflect on a time when you experienced spiritual renewal. How can the account of the temple's restoration encourage you to seek ongoing renewal?

4. How does the communal aspect of giving in 2 Chronicles 24:8 challenge your perspective on generosity and stewardship?

5. What are some practical ways you can ensure that your obedience to God is reflected in your daily life, similar to the obedience shown in the temple restoration?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 25:2
This verse describes the Israelites' contributions for the building of the Tabernacle, paralleling the communal giving for the temple repairs in 2 Chronicles 24:8.

2 Kings 12:9
Provides a parallel account of the same event, offering additional details about the collection process and the use of funds.

Malachi 3:10
Encourages bringing tithes into the storehouse, echoing the principle of giving for the maintenance of God's house.
A Good Intention Well Carried OutT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 24:4-11
Church RenovationW. Clarkson 2 Chronicles 24:4-14
Indifferences RebukedA. Maclaren, D.D.2 Chronicles 24:4-14
Joash Repairing the TempleMonday Club Sermons2 Chronicles 24:4-14
Repairing the TempleF. W. P. Greenwood, D.D.2 Chronicles 24:4-14
The Temple RepairedH. H. French.2 Chronicles 24:4-14
The Temple RepairedW. Landrum, D. D.2 Chronicles 24:4-14
People
Amaziah, Aram, Athaliah, David, Jehoiada, Jehozabad, Joash, Levites, Shimeath, Shimrith, Syrians, Zabad, Zechariah, Zibiah
Places
Beersheba, Damascus, Jerusalem
Topics
Chest, Command, Commanded, Commandment, Doorway, Gate, King's, Order, Outside, Placed, Speaketh, Temple
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 24:8

     5323   gate

2 Chronicles 24:1-14

     7245   Judah, kingdom of

2 Chronicles 24:4-12

     5577   taxation

2 Chronicles 24:4-13

     5508   ruins

2 Chronicles 24:8-12

     7402   offerings

Library
The King's Farewell
'Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. 28. Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. 29. Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous, 30. And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Joash
'And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.... 17. Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them.'--2 CHRON. xxiv. 2, 17. Here we have the tragedy of a soul. Joash begins life well and for the greater part of it remains faithful to his conscience and to his duty, and then, when outward circumstances change, he casts all behind him, forgets the past and commits moral
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Glad Givers and Faithful Workers
'And it came to pass after this, that Joash was minded to repair the house of the Lord. 5. And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not. 6. And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Channel of Power.
A Word that Sticks and Stings. I suppose everyone here can think of three or four persons whom he loves or regards highly, who are not christians. Can you? Perhaps in your own home circle, or in the circle of your close friends. They may be nice people, cultured, lovable, delightful companions, fond of music and good books, and all that; but this is true of them, that they do not trust and confess Jesus as a personal Savior. Can you think of such persons in your own circle? I am going to wait a
S.D. Gordon—Quiet Talks on Power

The Prophet Joel.
PRELIMINARY REMARKS. The position which has been assigned to Joel in the collection of the Minor Prophets, furnishes an external argument for the determination of the time at which Joel wrote. There cannot be any doubt that the Collectors were guided by a consideration of the chronology. The circumstance, that they placed the prophecies of Joel just between the two prophets who, according to the inscriptions and contents of their prophecies, belonged to the time of Jeroboam and Uzziah, is
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Conclusion
"Alleluia: for the Lord God omnipotent reigneth" (Rev. 19:6). In our Foreword to the Second Edition we acknowledge the need for preserving the balance of Truth. Two things are beyond dispute: God is Sovereign, man is responsible. In this book we have sought to expound the former; in our other works we have frequently pressed the latter. That there is real danger of over-emphasising the one and ignoring the other, we readily admit; yea, history furnishes numerous examples of cases of each. To emphasise
Arthur W. Pink—The Sovereignty of God

The Old Testament Canon from Its Beginning to Its Close.
The first important part of the Old Testament put together as a whole was the Pentateuch, or rather, the five books of Moses and Joshua. This was preceded by smaller documents, which one or more redactors embodied in it. The earliest things committed to writing were probably the ten words proceeding from Moses himself, afterwards enlarged into the ten commandments which exist at present in two recensions (Exod. xx., Deut. v.) It is true that we have the oldest form of the decalogue from the Jehovist
Samuel Davidson—The Canon of the Bible

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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