The Ungrateful (might as well be) Dead

After the death of Jehoiada, the officials of Judah came and paid homage to the king, and he listened to them. They abandoned the temple of the LORD, the God of their ancestors, and worshiped Asherah poles and idols. Because of their guilt, God’s anger came on Judah and Jerusalem. Although the LORD sent prophets to the people to bring them back to him, and though they testified against them, they would not listen. Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah son of Jehoiada the priest. He stood before the people and said, “This is what God says: ‘Why do you disobey the LORD’s commands? You will not prosper. Because you have forsaken the LORD, he has forsaken you.’ ” But they plotted against him, and by order of the king they stoned him to death in the courtyard of the LORD’s temple. King Joash did not remember the kindness Zechariah’s father Jehoiada had shown him but killed his son, who said as he lay dying, “May the LORD see this and call you to account.” 2 Chronicles 24:17-22

King Joash and the officials of Judah abandoned the Lord and followed idols and other gods after the death of Jehoiada. While Jehoiada was alive, King Joash was for the Lord, even having the temple repairs completed, but now that Jehoiada has passed, Joash goes as far as ordering the death of Zechariah, the son of Jehoiada. After all that Jehoiada had done for Joash as a child king to now a king on his own, he shows no kindness to the family of Jehoiada. Joash is another example, as was King Solomon, that faith in God is a lifetime pursuit. You can do everything for the Lord early in life, but fall away later in life if you don’t keep a soft and humble heart toward the Lord.