The wicked are hypocrites. Do not expect fair play. They have one set of rules for them and another set for others. It is perfectly fine in her eyes for Athaliah to kill all her son’s children so she can become queen. However, she calls it treason that someone saved one and restores them rightfully to the throne.
Athaliah Queen of Judah
1When Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she rose and destroyed all the royal offspring. 2But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah and stole him from among the king’s sons who were being put to death, and placed him and his nurse in the bedroom. So they hid him from Athaliah, and he was not put to death. 3So he was hidden with her in the house of the LORD six years, while Athaliah was reigning over the land.
4Now in the seventh year Jehoiada sent and brought the captains of hundreds of the Carites and of the guard, and brought them to him in the house of the LORD. Then he made a covenant with them and put them under oath in the house of the LORD, and showed them the king’s son. 5He commanded them, saying, “This is the thing that you shall do: one third of you, who come in on the sabbath and keep watch over the king’s house 6(one third also shall be at the gate Sur, and one third at the gate behind the guards), shall keep watch over the house for defense. 7“Two parts of you, even all who go out on the sabbath, shall also keep watch over the house of the LORD for the king. 8“Then you shall surround the king, each with his weapons in his hand; and whoever comes within the ranks shall be put to death. And be with the king when he goes out and when he comes in.”
9So the captains of hundreds did according to all that Jehoiada the priest commanded. And each one of them took his men who were to come in on the sabbath, with those who were to go out on the sabbath, and came to Jehoiada the priest. 10The priest gave to the captains of hundreds the spears and shields that had been King David’s, which were in the house of the LORD. 11The guards stood each with his weapons in his hand, from the right side of the house to the left side of the house, by the altar and by the house, around the king. 12Then he brought the king’s son out and put the crown on him and gave him the testimony; and they made him king and anointed him, and they clapped their hands and said, “Long live the king!”
13When Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she came to the people in the house of the LORD. 14She looked and behold, the king was standing by the pillar, according to the custom, with the captains and the trumpeters beside the king; and all the people of the land rejoiced and blew trumpets. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and cried, “Treason! Treason!” 15And Jehoiada the priest commanded the captains of hundreds who were appointed over the army and said to them, “Bring her out between the ranks, and whoever follows her put to death with the sword.” For the priest said, “Let her not be put to death in the house of the LORD.” 16So they seized her, and when she arrived at the horses’ entrance of the king’s house, she was put to death there.
17Then Jehoiada made a covenant between the LORD and the king and the people, that they would be the LORD’S people, also between the king and the people. 18All the people of the land went to the house of Baal, and tore it down; his altars and his images they broke in pieces thoroughly, and killed Mattan the priest of Baal before the altars. And the priest appointed officers over the house of the LORD. 19He took the captains of hundreds and the Carites and the guards and all the people of the land; and they brought the king down from the house of the LORD, and came by the way of the gate of the guards to the king’s house. And he sat on the throne of the kings. 20So all the people of the land rejoiced and the city was quiet. For they had put Athaliah to death with the sword at the king’s house.
21Jehoash was seven years old when he became king.
Hypocrisy really is an interesting “tell” about what is in someone’s heart and mind. Yeshua, and those who follow Him closely, have but one standard of righteousness and it applies to everyone equally. The wicked, or those far from relationship with Yeshua, often have a different standard for them than for the rest of the people.
You see this commonly still today and it becomes most obvious in observing people in high profile leadership positions. We see governors and mayors declare the people must stay home and wear masks, then they disregard their own guidelines and do as they please. We can see this in congress and many places throughout government. Congress has a health plan that is entirely different (and better) than what they prescribe or force upon the rest of the people. Some will decry how bad it is to have legal challenges in an election when in the past few years they voiced an entirely different opinion… when the shoe was on the other foot so to speak in terms of who was winning or losing a particular election.
Many in our culture today seem to disregard hypocrisy as if it is not a big deal. I see it as a good tell into someone’s heart and mind to show if they really view themselves in humility or put themselves on a pedestal.
Thoughtfully and prayerfully reflect if there are any areas of hypocrisy in your life which need to be addressed to draw nearer to the LORD. Ask His help to show you and help you make adjustments.
Shalom.
Devotion by John in service to Christ
—-
Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.