Men's Ministry
Please read II Kings 12:1-3
1. Verse 2 says that Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord because Jehoiada the priest instructed him. What does this imply? What does it say between the lines? For a more complete answer, see II Chronicles 24:15-23.
2. After answering the first question, what steps should we take to ensure our whole-hearted commitment to the Lord?
3. As review, what were the “high places” mentioned in verse 3? What high places do you have in your life that need to be taken away? Name one step that would help get the high places torn down.
2. After answering the first question, what steps should we take to ensure our whole-hearted commitment to the Lord?
3. As review, what were the “high places” mentioned in verse 3? What high places do you have in your life that need to be taken away? Name one step that would help get the high places torn down.
Please read II Kings 12:4-8
4. There were three ways that money came into the Temple: census money (one half-shekel for each person older than 20), assessment money (a property tax based on the personal assessment of each person), and free-will offerings. What did Joash want done with this money? Why?
5. After 23 years, Joash notices that repairs to the Temple are not happening. Why do you think the priests were not repairing the Temple? What does Joash do about it? Might there be a reason that it took Joash so long to notice the problem?
5. After 23 years, Joash notices that repairs to the Temple are not happening. Why do you think the priests were not repairing the Temple? What does Joash do about it? Might there be a reason that it took Joash so long to notice the problem?
Please read II Kings 12:9-16
6. There was apparently some financial mismanagement associated with the Temple repairs. How did they correct the problem?
7. Why wasn't the money used to make basins, snuffers, bowls, trumpets, or vessels of any kind? See verse 13.
7. Why wasn't the money used to make basins, snuffers, bowls, trumpets, or vessels of any kind? See verse 13.
Please read II Kings 12:17-18
8. We haven’t seen any mention of the city of Gath since I Kings 2:41. That's 32 chapters back. What do you remember about this city? Who controlled it? What events were related to it?
9. After battling against Gath, the Aramean (Syrian) army goes up to Jerusalem. According to the parallel passage in II Chronicles 24:23-24, “the Lord delivered a very great army into their hand.” In other words, the Judean army was larger but was defeated by the Arameans. Why would God allow His people to be devastated by a foreign enemy? See verse 24 in II Chronicles 24.
10. What did Joash do to appease the attacking army? What should he have done?
9. After battling against Gath, the Aramean (Syrian) army goes up to Jerusalem. According to the parallel passage in II Chronicles 24:23-24, “the Lord delivered a very great army into their hand.” In other words, the Judean army was larger but was defeated by the Arameans. Why would God allow His people to be devastated by a foreign enemy? See verse 24 in II Chronicles 24.
10. What did Joash do to appease the attacking army? What should he have done?
Please read II Kings 12:19-21
11. Joash was only 47 years old when he died. (He began his reign at age 7 and reigned for 40 years.) Why do you think Joash’s servants conspired to assassinate him?