Joash And The People Gave Offerings Craft
The Story of Joash and the Temple
Joash was a young boy when he became king of Judah. His mother, Zibiah of Beersheba, was the daughter of King Jehoram of Israel, and his father, Ahaziah, was the son of King Jehoram of Judah. Joash was the only surviving member of his family after Queen Athaliah, his grandmother, killed everyone else in the royal family to take the throne.
When Joash became king, he was only seven years old. He was raised by the priest Jehoiada, who was instrumental in saving his life and helping him become king. Jehoiada was a wise and godly man who loved the Lord and served him faithfully. He knew that the temple of the Lord had fallen into disrepair and needed to be restored. So he came up with a plan to raise money for the project.
The Plan to Restore the Temple
Jehoiada asked the Levites to go throughout Judah and gather money from the people to restore the temple. The Levites went from town to town and collected money from the people. They brought the money to the temple and gave it to the priests, who used it to repair the temple and buy new furnishings for it.
Jehoiada also set up a system for the priests and Levites to collect the temple tax from the people. He put a chest at the entrance of the temple where people could put their offerings. The money was used to pay for the daily sacrifices and other expenses of the temple.
The Dedication of the Temple
After the temple was restored, Jehoiada called together the people of Judah and had them make a covenant with the Lord to serve him and obey his commands. He also had Joash crowned king and anointed him with oil.
Then Jehoiada led Joash and the people in a procession to the temple. They offered sacrifices to the Lord and sang praises to him. Joash gave a speech in which he promised to serve the Lord and obey his commands. The people renewed their covenant with the Lord and promised to follow him faithfully.
The Importance of Giving Offerings
The story of Joash and the restoration of the temple teaches us about the importance of giving offerings to the Lord. The people of Judah gave generously to the project, and their offerings were used to glorify God and further his kingdom. Giving offerings is a way for us to show our love for God and support his work in the world.
When we give offerings, we are acknowledging that everything we have comes from God and belongs to him. We are also expressing our faith in his provision and our desire to be part of his work in the world. Giving offerings is a spiritual discipline that helps us grow in our relationship with God and become more like him.
Conclusion
The story of Joash and the people giving offerings to restore the temple is a powerful reminder of the importance of generosity and faithfulness in our relationship with God. When we give offerings to support his work, we are participating in his kingdom and helping to bring his love and grace to the world. Let us be like Joash and the people of Judah, giving generously and joyfully to the Lord's work.