2 Kings 11:13-15
13 When Athaliah heard the noise of the guard and of the people, she went into the house of the Lord to the people. 14 And when she looked, there was the king standing by the pillar, according to the custom, and the captains and the trumpeters beside the king, and all the people of the land rejoicing and blowing trumpets. And Athaliah tore her clothes and cried, “Treason! Treason!”
In 2 Kings 11, we have a scene that reminds me of an old fairy tale, only a true one. The king of Judah dies. A wicked queen, Athaliah, takes over and tries to slaughter all the survivors of the royal family in order to cement her rise to power. But one son lives, Joash.
When Joash is a little older, a faithful man brings him out, and the people realize that a true king still lives. When Athaliah hears the commotion, she goes to check it out. Then the evil woman cries, “Treason!” Finally, the guards execute the evil queen, and all of God’s people live happily ever after.
Two things I’ll mention quickly. First, this account reminds us that God does not fail. Though Athaliah thought she had taken out the entire family of Joash, which meant the entire house of David, she did not. God could not let her. God had made a promise of sending the Messiah through that family, and he certainly could not let the line end.
Second, and actually why this caught my attention, I am amazed by Athaliah’s accusation of treason. This woman was evil. She had murdered the rightful heirs to the throne. Yet, when the true king stood in the midst of the people, she had the audacity to cry, “Treason!” She actually accused others of her very crime.
Let us learn from Athaliah. We often are tempted to accuse others, even when we are the guilty ones. Guilty people often try to hide their guilt by pointing at something they see as wrong in the lives of others. Don’t be surprised if a person you have to confront confronts you in return. Don’t be surprised when evil people look at righteous ones and actually try to call the righteous evil.
Lord, I thank you that you preserved the line of King David. This shows that you are faithful to your promises. I am grateful, so very grateful, that you sent the Messiah to us just as you promised. Without Jesus, we have no hope.
Lord, I’m also reminded that I need your help to see my life with eyes of truth. Let me not be like Athaliah, who accused others of her very crimes. Let me see myself as I am, repent of sin, and be sanctified by your Spirit.
Pastor Travis Peterson 