Although the Aramean army had come with only a few men, the LORD delivered into their hand a very great army. Because Judah had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers, judgment was executed on Joash. Although the Aramean army had come with only a few menThis phrase highlights the surprising nature of the Aramean victory. The Hebrew root for "Aramean" is "אֲרָם" (Aram), referring to the region and people of Syria. Historically, the Arameans were a significant power in the Near East, often in conflict with Israel and Judah. The phrase underscores the miraculous or divinely orchestrated nature of their victory, as they were outnumbered. This serves as a reminder of God's sovereignty and how He can use even a small force to accomplish His purposes, emphasizing the theme of divine judgment and intervention. the LORD delivered into their hand a very great army
The phrase "the LORD delivered" uses the Hebrew "נָתַן" (nathan), meaning to give or deliver. This indicates that the victory was not due to the Arameans' strength but was an act of divine will. The "very great army" refers to the forces of Judah, which were substantial but defeated due to their disobedience. This highlights the biblical principle that success is not determined by human might but by God's favor, reinforcing the importance of faithfulness to God. Because Judah had forsaken the LORD, the God of their fathers
"Forsaken" comes from the Hebrew "עָזַב" (azab), meaning to leave or abandon. This phrase points to the spiritual apostasy of Judah, who turned away from the covenantal relationship with God. The "God of their fathers" refers to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, emphasizing the continuity of God's promises and the people's heritage. This serves as a warning about the consequences of turning away from God, reminding believers of the importance of remaining faithful to their spiritual heritage. Judgment was executed on Joash
The term "judgment" in Hebrew is "מִשְׁפָּט" (mishpat), which can mean justice or a legal decision. The execution of judgment on Joash, the king of Judah, signifies the fulfillment of divine justice due to his unfaithfulness and idolatry. Joash's reign began with promise but ended in failure because he abandoned the ways of the LORD. This serves as a sobering reminder of the personal accountability of leaders and the severe consequences of leading others astray from God's commandments. It underscores the biblical truth that God is just and will hold individuals accountable for their actions. Persons / Places / Events 1. Joash (King of Judah)Initially a righteous king who later turned away from God, leading to his downfall. 2. Aramean ArmyA small force that God used to execute judgment on Judah for their unfaithfulness. 3. JudahThe southern kingdom of Israel, which had forsaken God, leading to their defeat. 4. The LORD (Yahweh)The God of Israel, who allowed the Arameans to defeat Judah as a form of judgment. 5. Judgment on JoashThe consequence of Joash's apostasy and the nation's unfaithfulness. Teaching Points The Consequences of Forsaking GodWhen a nation or individual turns away from God, they open themselves to judgment and defeat. God's Sovereignty in JudgmentGod can use even a small force to accomplish His purposes, demonstrating His control over all circumstances. The Importance of FaithfulnessRemaining faithful to God is crucial for His continued blessing and protection. Leadership and AccountabilityLeaders are held accountable for their actions, and their choices can have significant consequences for those they lead. Repentance and RestorationWhile judgment is severe, God always offers a path to repentance and restoration for those who turn back to Him. Bible Study Questions 1. How does the account of Joash illustrate the principle of reaping what one sows, as seen in Galatians 6:7? 2. In what ways can we ensure that we remain faithful to God in our personal lives and communities? 3. How does the defeat of Judah by a smaller Aramean army demonstrate God's sovereignty and power? 4. What lessons can modern leaders learn from Joash's failure to remain faithful to God? 5. How can we apply the principles of repentance and restoration in our own lives when we recognize we have strayed from God? Connections to Other Scriptures 2 Kings 12Provides a parallel account of Joash's reign and his eventual downfall. Deuteronomy 28Discusses the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, which contextualizes Judah's defeat. Proverbs 14:34Highlights how righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach, reflecting Judah's situation. Galatians 6:7"Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows," which aligns with the principle of divine justice seen in Joash's account. People Amaziah, Aram, Athaliah, David, Jehoiada, Jehozabad, Joash, Levites, Shimeath, Shimrith, Syrians, Zabad, Zechariah, ZibiahPlaces Beersheba, Damascus, JerusalemTopics Aram, Aramean, Arameans, Army, Company, Delivered, Effect, Executed, Fathers, Force, Forsaken, Hands, Host, Indeed, Joash, Jo'ash, Judah, Judgment, Judgments, Larger, Mighty, Multitude, Punishment, Syrians, Though, Thus, Truly, YetDictionary of Bible Themes 2 Chronicles 24:24 4831 largeness 2 Chronicles 24:23-24 5607 warfare, examples 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 ScriptureJoash
'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 Links 2 Chronicles 24:24 NIV2 Chronicles 24:24 NLT2 Chronicles 24:24 ESV2 Chronicles 24:24 NASB2 Chronicles 24:24 KJV
2 Chronicles 24:24 Commentaries
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