The Destruction of Jerusalem

Within hours of King Ahaziah’s death, Athaliah, the queen mother, had seized absolute power. No one in Ahaziah’s line was strong enough to oppose her; after all, she had the royal bodyguard on her side. Jehosheba, the king’s sister, sprinted through the palace, the terror of death in her eyes. She threw open the door of the royal nursery and stepped inside. She heard the ever-nearing sounds of soldiers’ boots and clattering spears. She grabbed baby Joash. Through courtyards, down corridors, and up stairs she ran, praying the child’s sobs would not give them away, until she finally reached an abandoned servant’s room in the far reaches of the palace. Jehosheba barely had time to close and latch the door and catch her breath. The House of David was crushed almost. Looking at the child in her arms, she whispered, “Are you the one who will save us? Will you dethrone our evil queen and restore David’s line?” As she gazed into his eyes, it seemed as though she could see in them a light, a star rising from Judah—not then, but someday—a ruler whose heel would be bruised but who would rise to crush an enemy whose power lay behind every injustice and sorrow the world had ever felt and had held humanity in its grip since the fall of man. But this ruler who would save, His death would signal the resurrection of God’s people. • Cassie Zeller • How does the story of Joash point to the story of Jesus? • What enemy did Christ come to defeat? What will be the final enemy to be defeated (1 Corinthians 15:24-26)? After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power. 1 Corinthians 15:24 (NLT)