Jehoshabah: A Heroine in God's Redemption Story
Summary
In 2 Kings chapter 11, we encounter an unsung heroine, Jehoshabah, who plays a pivotal role in God's redemption story. Despite being surrounded by a family steeped in wickedness, Jehoshabah courageously saves her nephew, Joash, from the murderous intentions of his grandmother, Athaliah. This act of bravery is not just a testament to her courage but also a reflection of God's divine plan and protection. Jehoshabah's story reminds us that God values and calls women to be integral parts of His redemptive work, challenging the notion that heroism is gender-specific. Her actions teach us that standing for truth and righteousness is essential, regardless of the prevailing evil around us.
Jehoshabah's story also points us to a deeper understanding of God's nature. It reveals that God is a keeper, protecting us from dangers both seen and unseen. Just as Joash was unaware of the threats to his life, we too often remain oblivious to the perils from which God shields us. This narrative underscores the importance of recognizing God's unseen hand in our lives, guiding and protecting us even when we are unaware.
Moreover, Jehoshabah's story is a powerful reminder that our past or family history does not define us. Through Christ, we are given a new legacy, free from the chains of our ancestry. This is the essence of the gospel: that we are adopted into God's family, with the opportunity to rewrite our stories and break generational curses.
Finally, the story of Jehoshabah and Joash is a testament to God's faithfulness in keeping His promises. Despite the evil surrounding Joash, God preserved him to fulfill His covenant with David, ensuring the lineage through which Jesus, our Savior, would come. This narrative encourages us to trust in God's promises, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill them, regardless of the circumstances.
Key Takeaways:
- God's Call to Heroism: Jehoshabah's story illustrates that God calls all believers, regardless of gender, to be heroes in His redemption plan. Her courage in the face of evil challenges us to stand for truth and righteousness, reminding us that bravery is rooted in our faith in God, not in societal norms. [05:24]
- Redefining Our Legacy: Through Jehoshabah, we learn that our family history does not define our future. The gospel offers us a new legacy in Christ, empowering us to break free from generational curses and create a new story for ourselves and future generations. [11:51]
- God's Protection: Just as Jehoshabah protected Joash from unseen dangers, God shields us from perils we may not even be aware of. This story encourages us to trust in God's protection, recognizing His unseen hand guiding and safeguarding us through life's challenges. [15:02]
- God's Faithfulness to His Promises: The preservation of Joash's life is a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises. Despite the evil surrounding him, God ensured the fulfillment of His covenant with David, reminding us that His promises are sure and steadfast. [18:55]
- The Greater Story of Redemption: Jehoshabah's narrative points us to the greater story of God's redemption through Jesus Christ. It reminds us that all of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, is about God's plan to redeem humanity, with Jesus as the ultimate hero and Savior. [20:32]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:53] - Introduction to Jehoshabah
- [01:57] - Joash's Anointing
- [02:59] - The Evil of Athaliah
- [05:24] - Jehoshabah's Heroic Act
- [06:36] - Jehoshabah's Family Background
- [07:44] - The Wickedness of King Joram
- [09:04] - Ahaziah's Evil Influence
- [10:07] - Jehoshabah's Environment
- [11:51] - Redefining Our Legacy
- [13:02] - Joash's Unseen Danger
- [14:04] - God's Protection
- [15:52] - God's Faithfulness
- [18:55] - The Promise of Salvation
- [20:32] - The Greater Story of Redemption
- [22:21] - Closing Prayer
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
- 2 Kings 11:1-4, 12: This passage introduces Jehoshabah and her courageous act of saving Joash from Athaliah's murderous intentions.
- 2 Chronicles 21:4: Provides background on Jehoshabah's father, King Joram, and his wickedness.
- 2 Chronicles 22:1-4: Describes the evil influence of Jehoshabah's half-brother, Ahaziah, and his mother, Athaliah.
#### Observation Questions
1. What actions did Jehoshabah take to protect Joash, and how long did she keep him hidden? [01:57]
2. How does the sermon describe the environment in which Jehoshabah grew up, and what were the influences around her? [10:07]
3. What was the significance of Jehoiada's role in Joash's life, according to the sermon? [01:57]
4. How does the sermon illustrate the concept of God as a "keeper" in Jehoshabah's story? [15:02]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does Jehoshabah's story challenge traditional views of heroism, particularly regarding gender roles in God's redemption plan? [05:24]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that God protects us from dangers we are unaware of, similar to how Jehoshabah protected Joash? [14:04]
3. How does the sermon interpret the significance of God's faithfulness to His promises, as seen in the preservation of Joash's life? [18:55]
4. What does the sermon imply about the impact of family history on our identity and future, and how does the gospel offer a new legacy? [11:51]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to stand for truth and righteousness in a challenging situation. How did your faith influence your actions? [05:24]
2. Consider your family history. Are there patterns or legacies you feel called to break or redefine through your faith in Christ? [11:51]
3. How can you become more aware of God's protection in your life, especially in situations where you might not see the dangers? [14:04]
4. In what ways can you actively trust in God's promises, even when circumstances seem unfavorable? [18:55]
5. Identify a person or group in your life who might need protection or advocacy. How can you be a "keeper" for them, as Jehoshabah was for Joash? [05:24]
6. How does understanding the greater story of redemption through Jesus Christ influence your daily life and decisions? [20:32]
7. What specific steps can you take this week to live out the call to heroism in God's redemption plan, regardless of societal norms? [05:24]
Devotional
Day 1: Courage Beyond Gender
Jehoshabah's story in 2 Kings 11 is a powerful testament to the courage that transcends gender. Despite being surrounded by a family entrenched in wickedness, Jehoshabah bravely saves her nephew, Joash, from the murderous intentions of his grandmother, Athaliah. Her actions challenge the notion that heroism is gender-specific, illustrating that God calls all believers to be heroes in His redemption plan. This narrative encourages us to stand for truth and righteousness, even when faced with overwhelming evil, reminding us that bravery is rooted in our faith in God, not in societal norms. [05:24]
"Be strong, and let your heart take courage, all you who wait for the Lord!" (Psalm 31:24, ESV)
Reflection: In what area of your life is God calling you to stand courageously for truth and righteousness today, despite societal expectations or pressures?
Day 2: A New Legacy in Christ
Jehoshabah's story teaches us that our family history does not define our future. Despite her lineage, she chose a path of righteousness, saving Joash and ensuring the continuation of God's covenant with David. This reflects the essence of the gospel: through Christ, we are given a new legacy, free from the chains of our ancestry. We are adopted into God's family, empowered to break generational curses and create a new story for ourselves and future generations. This narrative invites us to embrace the new identity and legacy offered to us in Christ. [11:51]
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17, ESV)
Reflection: What generational patterns or legacies in your family do you feel called to break, and how can you begin to embrace your new identity in Christ today?
Day 3: Trusting in God's Unseen Protection
Jehoshabah's protection of Joash from unseen dangers mirrors God's protection over us. Often, we remain unaware of the perils from which God shields us. This story encourages us to trust in God's protection, recognizing His unseen hand guiding and safeguarding us through life's challenges. Just as Joash was unaware of the threats to his life, we too can rest in the assurance that God is our keeper, protecting us from dangers both seen and unseen. [15:02]
"The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. The Lord will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore." (Psalm 121:7-8, ESV)
Reflection: Reflect on a time when you felt protected from an unseen danger. How can you cultivate a deeper trust in God's unseen protection in your daily life?
Day 4: God's Faithfulness to His Promises
The preservation of Joash's life is a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises. Despite the evil surrounding him, God ensured the fulfillment of His covenant with David, reminding us that His promises are sure and steadfast. This narrative encourages us to trust in God's promises, knowing that He is faithful to fulfill them, regardless of the circumstances. It is a call to hold onto God's promises, even when the situation seems dire. [18:55]
"Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations." (Deuteronomy 7:9, ESV)
Reflection: What promise from God are you holding onto in this season of your life, and how can you remind yourself of His faithfulness daily?
Day 5: The Greater Story of Redemption
Jehoshabah's narrative points us to the greater story of God's redemption through Jesus Christ. Her actions ensured the continuation of the lineage through which Jesus, our Savior, would come. This reminds us that all of Scripture, from Genesis to Revelation, is about God's plan to redeem humanity, with Jesus as the ultimate hero and Savior. It invites us to see our lives as part of this grand narrative, participating in God's redemptive work in the world. [20:32]
"And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he interpreted to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning himself." (Luke 24:27, ESV)
Reflection: How can you actively participate in God's redemptive story today, and what steps can you take to align your life with His greater plan for humanity?
Quotes
1. "This story is about Jehoshabah. She is our unsung heroine. I want you to really get this scene in your head that we just read. We have a queen mother and the text tells us as soon as she hears. This isn't she's investigated what happened. This isn't after a period of mourning. As soon as she hears that her son, the current king, is dead, she is so twisted in wicked evil and power hungry that her first action is to order the death of the entire royal family to get rid of anybody who could be a threat to her leadership. This is not just her uncle. We're not talking about a rival royal family. We're not talking about her siblings. We're talking about her own children and grandchildren." ([00:03:05] (48 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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2. "On the surface, Jehoshabah's story is a reminder to some and a lesson to others that God has always had a plan for women in his redemption story. That God has always seen women as valuable, irreplaceable, and just essential to his redemption plan. That women are not less than, they're not subservient, but that he has a clear call for women to also be heroes. That bravery and courage isn't about gender, it's about God. That it's not something limited to just men, but all of us as believers are called to be heroes in God's plan." ([00:04:49] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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3. "One thing we have to remember is that all the scripture, Old and New Testament, is about God. All the scripture, Old and New, from Genesis to Revelation, points to Jesus Christ. All of it proclaims the good news of the gospel. All the scripture is about revealing the divine nature of God as he fulfills his plan to redeem humanity through Jesus Christ." ([00:06:06] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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4. "Because of God, the way that God has kept us is that he has kept us from being defined by our family history. This is the good news of the gospel, that because of Jesus, it doesn't matter what our family history is. It doesn't matter what our environment is. It doesn't matter what the circumstances is. We can have a new and brighter future." ([00:10:16] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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5. "I don't know your family history, but I'm pretty sure if we were having a transparent, vulnerable moment and everybody shared some things in their family past, we'd hear stories of liars, cheaters, felons, drug addicts, drug dealers, people who had affair, people who weren't there to raise their kids. No matter what that is, let this truth sink in your heart. That does not have to be your story. Your family history does not have to be your family future. The good news of the gospel is that as believers, we are adopted into the family of Christ. So we have a new legacy for generations to come. We can rewrite the story." ([00:11:10] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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6. "Point number two is that God has kept us from danger seen and unseen. I know I'm not the only one that can recount the times that God has spared their life, that God has kept them from troubles and dangers, where God has kept them from an accident, that time that God kept you from that toxic relationship, that time that God kept you from making a stupid decision, that time that God kept you from the consequences of that stupid decision that you made after he told you not to make it." ([00:14:34] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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7. "Jehoshabah's story reveals to us that our God is a keeper. Not only does he keep us from being defined by our past, but even now in the present, he is keeping us from danger seen and unseen. That is the God that we serve." ([00:15:02] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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8. "Who do you think was keeping you through the pandemic? It wasn't the meditation yoga, self-care. Who do you think is keeping you driving in the rain? Who do you think kept you on New Year's Day when everybody else was driving crazy? Who do you think is keeping your marriage together even though it seems to be falling apart? Who do you think is keeping your family together? It's not you, it's God. Our God is a keeper." ([00:16:21] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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9. "God keeps his promises. God kept his promise for salvation. See, it's okay because I get it. You didn't go to Sunday school and it's all right. What you need to remember is that at one point, God told David, not only will your line continue to rule, but the Messiah will come through you. Jesus Christ will come through you. So it didn't matter what Athaliah had planned. It didn't matter what the enemy had planned. Somebody from that family had to survive because God had to keep his word to present salvation to humanity. God had a promise to keep and there was nothing that could be done to destroy it." ([00:19:35] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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10. "Could it be, could it be that you are not just your ancestors' wildest dreams, but that you are proof of a promise kept? That God has been keeping you through all the dumb things that you do, through all the sinful things that you do, through all the crazy things that you do, not because you're good. But because God made a promise and he plans on keeping that promise." ([00:21:23] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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