On a day-to-day basis there are situations where, without a specific person’s contribution, things might happen in very different ways. Chapter 11 highlights one such person by the name of Jehosheba. She was the sister of the assassinated king of Judah, Ahaziah. When her brother was killed by Jehu, Ahaziah’s mother, Athaliah, set out to destroy all the heirs to the throne including her grandson, Joash (or Jehoash) (v. 2). But Jehosheba, his aunt, risked her life to save the boy and the Davidic line. He was the sole remaining heir! She, along with her husband, Jehoiada, a priest, sheltered the boy for seven years. Athaliah ruled as queen over Judah and continued her son’s idolatrous behavior. She was, after all, a daughter of Ahab.

But when the time was right, Joash was revealed to the nation (v. 4) who overthrew Athaliah and restored the young heir to the throne of David (v. 21). While he was young, Joash followed the lead of his mentor, Jehoiada who restored Judah’s commitment to their covenant with God, and to the eradication of Baal worship in the country. Later, Joash called for a restoration of the Temple which by now was over 100 years old (12:4–5). All this began with one person risking her life to save a child.

Jehosheba’s courageous act preserved the line of David, the line from which the Messiah would descend and through whom the kingdom of God will be restored! It is not hard to imagine what it cost her. The years of sheltering the child in seclusion. The years of fearing the secret would get out. Did she have children of her own that she cared for? Yet she took the risk, and her courage places her among the heroes of the Old Testament!

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