On New Year’s Day we think about needed changes. It’s time for a fresh start. So we optimistically embrace new initiatives, intending to improve our lives somehow. In 2 Kings 12, King Joash (sometimes spelled “Jehoash”) establishes an important new goal for his administration: the refurbishing of the temple. This is a God-honoring resolution, and it will require everyone’s participation. The priests are appointed as supervisors of the project. Funding will come through ordinary temple taxes, along with special voluntary gifts. Seems like a reasonable plan, but we all know that things often move slowly in the church! When progress is not made, Joash summons Jehoida and the other priests, demanding to know why they are dilly-dallying with the temple repairs. Before they can offer any lame excuses, the king simply orders Plan B, which will bypass the priests altogether. The project is taken out of their hands (v 4-8). Joash himself assumes control now, ensuring that all gifts designated for this project will go directly to those appointed to supervise the work. The priests install a box marked “Temple Repair,” and givers are able to divide their offerings for the temple from their offerings for the priests. When the box begins to fill up, funds are passed on to carpenters, stonecutters, and masons. Building materials are purchased. No money is used for worship utensils; it all goes for external repair of the building. And priests still retain their typical income through the regular offerings which are brought to the LORD (v 9-16). And then, after thirteen verses describing the persevering and successful restoration of the LORD’s house, all the hopefulness is undone in just two verses. Hazael, King of Syria threatens Jerusalem, and Joash prefers bribery to battle. In exchange for political and military security, he hands over all the temple treasures that had accumulated over four generations (v 17-18). The story of Joash began on such a thrilling note. When the Davidic line was under attack because of the tyranny of a hostile queen, one infant was preserved through the gutsy intervention of a faithful aunt (chapter 11). At age seven, Joash begins his reign in Jerusalem. Discipled by Jehoida the priest, he generally did what was right in God’s eyes. And so we are able to breathe a sigh of relief at the start of chapter 12. The throne of Joash stands as a dramatic testimony to the steady faithfulness of God (v 1-3). At chapter’s end, the Davidic line is once again under attack when assassins dispose of Joash. But with a son to reign in his place, the dynasty remains on sure footing. Despite man’s failures and follies, the LORD reigns (v 19-21). For further meditation: