The Rescue of Humpty Dumpty!

Read: 2 Chronicles 24

Nowadays, stories frequently have alternate endings. Readers are permitted to choose how they want a story to turn out. With that in mind, let's visit our old friend Humpty Dumpty. In this case, Humpty Dumpty's ending will remain the same, but the story leading up to that ending will be different. Okay, let's see what our friend whom we will now call HD is up to now.

As we begin HD is sitting on that infamous wall looking like he could, at any moment fall. Many have wondered, at least I have, what HD was doing up there. After all, he was surely taking a chance and had placed himself in a precarious position, but what would happen this time? Oh no! Would he fall again? Yes, he once again was plunging toward the ground. But wait! Someone was running to help him! Someone who was strong and agile, and HD was saved. No horses or king's men were necessary to put HD together again. I like that! So far so good, but HD forgot the kindness he had been shown. Instead of thankfulness, HD showed contempt for the one who had rescued him. In fact, HD's actions were cruel. He even harmed his helper's son. He didn't remember how he had been spared and how his rescue was not due to his own skill or prowess! One day, HD, displaying his pride and arrogance, was once again perched on the wall. Then it happened. He began to fall again. No one was there to help HD this time, and sadly, all the king's horses and all the king's men couldn't and wouldn't put HD together again. Just a tall tale? No one would be so ungrateful, would he?

Yes in 2 Chronicles 24 we read the story of a real man named Joash. One of Judah's kings whose real life was similar to the fictional life of HD. His story is a reminder of a faithful God and a rescue that bore fruit. Both good and bad. Let's dive in.

In truth, Joash almost did not become king because Queen Athaliah oversaw the killing of all those who were in the line of David who could have become Judah's next king. God had promised King David that his house and kingdom would endure forever, 2 Samuel 7:8-16; so, the wicked queen's actions were in opposition to God's Word and plan. They were certain therefore to fail, and they did because what God has purposed would surely come to pass, Isaiah 14:24. So, Joash was hidden and protected from the queen's rage, and at the age of seven, he was crowned king. Another plan bites the dust. Yes, like HD he had a rescuer. God used a man named Jehoiada, a faithful priest who taught Joash how to be a good king; therefore, Joash's life bore beautiful fruit. He repaired the temple and lived in a righteous way. So far so good. His life demonstrated gratefulness for the kindness and teaching Jehoiada had shown him.

Then it happened. Joash listened to wicked officials who flattered him, and he turned away from what he had learned from the faithful priest whom God had provided for him. The people stopped sacrificing to the One and Only God at the temple and instead worshiped idols. They ignored the prophets who God sent to warn them. Then, when Jehoiada died, his son spoke truth boldly to the people. Their response? Under the direction of Joash, Jehoiada's son was stoned to death. Joash forgot the kindness he had been shown. Instead, he walked in opposition to God; therefore, his army was defeated by the Arameans. He was taken down by an army much smaller than his own because he had forsaken the Lord. A Humpty Dumpty ending for a monarch whose life had at one time borne such sweet fruit. How sad, and how differently Joash's life could have ended if he had continued to lived his life according to the godly advice he had received.

What good reminders for us. First, how good it is to remember how many people God has used to help us grow. They are too numerous to count in my life. The Jehoiadas who have taught through their examples or have helped in so many other ways. Yes, all praise goes to the Lord Who meets our needs and so much more. Second, how good it is to remember that we have nothing that we haven't received from the Lord. Whether it is strength, fruitfulness, laughter or tears. God has given it all to us, 1 Corinthians 4:7.

We have no reason to be arrogant or boast. We are cut from the same cloth as every other person.