What Can We Learn from the Children of the Bible?
Base Texts: 2 Chronicles 24 & 2 Chronicles 34
Introduction
A. The Child-Kings: In the history of Judah, two names stand out not just for their reforms, but for the age at which they began: Joash and Josiah. They assumed the throne at ages seven and eight, respectively.
B. Beyond Playtime: While other children were occupied with games, these boys were shouldering the weight of a nation and the spiritual direction of God’s people.
C. A Common Mistake: Many parents and teachers today wrongly assume that children are too young to understand the Bible or have a relationship with God. The Bible refutes this entirely. These boys prove that God can use the youngest among us to accomplish His greatest purposes.
D. The Core Lessons: Through the lives of Joash and Josiah, we learn vital lessons about faithfulness, the danger of borrowed faith, and the power of personal conviction.
I. Lessons from the Life of Joash (2 Chronicles 24)
Joash provides a sobering warning: a good start does not guarantee a good finish.
• A Good Start, but a Dependent Faith: Joash became king at age seven. The Bible says he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord only while the priest Jehoiada lived (v. 2). His spiritual life was "borrowed"—it relied on the influence of his mentor rather than a personal fire in his own soul.
• The Danger of "Second-Hand" Religion: Many people today fall into the "Joash trap":
◦ Children who are faithful only while living under their parents' roof.
◦ Spouses who serve God only because their partner does.
◦ Believers who are active only while a certain preacher is in the pulpit.
• Joash’s Accomplishments: Under Jehoiada’s guidance, Joash did great things. He restored the House of the Lord, organized the temple offerings, and re-established true worship (vv. 4–14).
• The Spiritual Collapse: As soon as Jehoiada died, Joash’s true heart was revealed. He listened to wicked advisors and abandoned the Lord (vv. 17–18). He even went so far as to murder the son of his mentor, the prophet Zechariah, for rebuking his sin.
• A Tragic Ending: Joash was eventually assassinated by his own servants. He started with a crown and ended in disgrace because his heart was never truly God's.
The Lesson: It is not enough to begin well; we must develop a faith that can stand alone when our mentors are gone.
II. Lessons from the Life of Josiah (2 Chronicles 34)
Josiah stands as a contrast to Joash. He is the model of a young person whose faith was deeply personal and transformative.
• Early and Personal Seeking: Josiah began his reign at age eight. Unlike Joash, Josiah did not just "follow a mentor"; he personally sought the God of David in the eighth year of his reign, while he was still a teenager (v. 3).
• Instructed in the Word: Like Timothy in the New Testament (2 Tim. 3:15), Josiah was sensitive to the Scriptures. When the Book of the Law was rediscovered in the temple, Josiah didn't just hear it; he rent his clothes in repentance (v. 19). He recognized how far the nation had fallen.
• Genuine Reformation: Josiah didn't just fix a building; he tore down the idols. He purified the land and restored the Passover. His reform was thorough because it was driven by a heart that trembled at God's Word.
• A Leader of Influence: Josiah made a covenant to follow the Lord, and his influence was so strong that as long as he lived, the people did not turn away from God (v. 33).
The Lesson: Seeking God in your youth creates a foundation that leads to a lifetime of integrity and positive influence.
III. Two Boys, Two Paths, Two Ends
Feature |
Joash |
Josiah |
Start Age |
7 Years Old |
8 Years Old |
Temple Work |
Restored the building |
Restored the heart/worship |
Source of Faith |
Dependent on the Priest |
Personal search for God |
Response to Rebuke |
Killed the Prophet |
Humbled himself/Wept |
The Finish |
Assassinated in disgrace |
Died with great honor |
See also
Conclusion
The lives of Joash and Josiah teach us that children are capable of great spiritual depth, but they also teach us about the nature of our own hearts.
1. Faith must be personal: You cannot live on the faith of your parents, your spouse, or your friends forever. Eventually, you must seek the Lord for yourself.
2. Perseverance is the key: Starting the race is easy; finishing it with honor is what matters.
3. The Word must move us: Like Josiah, our response to the Bible should be one of humility and action.
Final Call: Are you like Joash—doing the right things only because you are being watched? Or are you like Josiah—seeking God from your heart even when it's difficult? Let us strive to be faithful until the very end.
