2 Chronicles 24:7,
“Then the king called in Jehoiada the chief priest and said, “Why haven’t you
made the Levites bring in from Judah and Jerusalem the tax Moses, servant of God and the congregation, set for the upkeep of
the place of worship? You can see how bad things are—Wicked Queen Athaliah and
her sons let The Temple of God go to ruin and took all its sacred artifacts for
use in Baal worship.” (MSG)
Athaliah, the daughter of King Ahab and Queen Jezebel and the
granddaughter of Omri, was born into
an atmosphere that completely denied the one true God: (2 Kings 8:18, 26,
“He walked in the ways of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had
done, for [Athaliah] the daughter of Ahab became his wife. He did evil in the
sight of the Lord…Ahaziah was twenty-two years old when he became king, and he
reigned one year in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Athaliah, the
granddaughter of Omri king of Isael” AMP)
Women, one of the first things to point out is
that we’re leaders in our own homes First and Foremost, BEFORE we are leaders
anywhere else. And that means, we need to make sure that our homes and families
are properly and securely intact. Athaliah started off wrong, because she was
raised in a home where nothing was done right. Which is why we need to heed the
Word of the Lord found in Proverbs 22:6, the New Life Version states it like this: “Bring
up a child by teaching him the way he should go, and when he is old he will not
turn away from it.” (NLV). That is our
responsibility ladies, to bring them up, teaching and training them in the way
they should go. It’s vital that this is done in our own homes, First, BEFORE we
go out anywhere to attempt to teach and train it to somebody else! Does that
guarantee we’ll have perfect children? Absolutely Not! But will they be better
with proper training than without it? Absolutely Yes!
Athaliah married Jehoram,
the firstborn of Judah’s godly King Jehoshaphat.
Jehoram had allied himself with Israel for political reasons: (2 Chronicles 22:5,
“He also walked in accordance with their advice, and he went with Jehoram the
son of Ahab king of Israel to wage war against Hazael king of Aram (Syria) at
Ramoth-gilead. And the Arameans wounded Joram (Jehoram)” AMP).
Just as her mother
had done, Athaliah promoted Baal
worship and led both the people of Judah and her husband away from the Lord: (2 Chronicles 21:6,
“He walked in the way of the kings of Israel, just as the house of Ahab had
done (for he married the daughter of Ahab), and he did what was evil in the
sight of the Lord.” AMP).
Women, another responsibility of ours besides rearing
righteous children, is to set a proper example for our own husbands. Listen to
the Word of God: 1 Peter 3:1, “In the same way, you wives, be submissive to your own
husbands [subordinate, not as inferior, but out of respect for the
responsibilities entrusted to husbands and their accountability to God, and so
partnering with them] so that even if some do not obey the word [of God], they
may be won over [to Christ] without discussion by the godly lives of their wives,” (AMP). Sisters, you possess the power of persuasion! And even if
your husband makes the fools attempt of going in the wrong direction, YOU can
bring him back around. Can you imagine being such a powerful source in the life
of your husband that even the Scripture backs you up and declares that “…they may be won over [to Christ] WITHOUT DISCUSSION by the
godly lives of their wives,”
(AMP) Now that’s what you call powerful
persuasion! So ladies, while we’re rearing righteous children, let us also be
the right hand our husbands need to steer them back on track when they’re going
the wrong way! Again, I reiterate, this needs to be done in our own homes First!
Unfortunately, Jehoram
died prematurely at age forty: (2 Chronicles
21:18-20, “After all this, the Lord struck
Jehoram with an incurable intestinal disease. Now
it came about in the course of time, at the end of two years, that his
intestines came out because of his disease and he died in excruciating pain.
And his people did not make a funeral fire to honor him, like the fire for his fathers. Jehoram was thirty-two years old when he became
king, and he reigned in Jerusalem eight years; and he departed with no one’s
regret (sorrow). They buried him in the City of David, but not in the tombs of
the kings.).” (AMP)
Women, do you really
want to be married to a man that leaves this as his lasting legacy? He was so
horrible of a man that he was struck, (by the Lord mind you), with not just a
disease, but an incurable one! The actual description of his disease and the
excruciating pain it caused him is heart-wrenching. Especially when it could
have been prevented and his direction altered. But instead, at the tender age
of 40, he dies a horrible, painful death. And if that’s not bad enough, the
Bible goes on to say that “…his
people did not make a funeral fire to
honor him, like the fire for his fathers…” And “…he
departed with no one’s regret (sorrow). They buried him in the City of David,
but not in the tombs of the kings.)” He died young, he died painfully and he died with no honor!
Women, we need to invest in the husbands we are married to. So much can be
prevented when we take care of our own homes and our own families First! So
many women are running all over the land teaching, preaching, praying, laying
hands, and watching others be saved, sanctified, healed and delivered…however,
much of it comes at the expense of not taking care of home First. Don’t let
this happen to you, your children, your husband, or your home.
Ahaziah, the son of Jehoram and Athaliah, became king, and his mother continued her evil influence: (2 Chronicles 22:3, “He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his adviser [and she encouraged him] to act wickedly” AMP).
Women, we’re back to our responsibility to rear Righteous Children. Truth is, many of us as women and mothers have made countless mistakes, errors in judgement and bad decisions and choices that have cost us greatly in the price of consequences. And who in their right mind would want their own children to repeat their behavior or worse? And yet that’s exactly what happened here. She not only condoned his wicked behavior, but she advised him on how to act wickedly. What parent does such a thing? Well women, truth is, even if we don’t go quite as far as Athaliah, we have set some bad examples before our children. When we gossip in their presence, when we allow them to participate in adult conversations, when we lie, cheat, steal, cuss, abuse sex and substances, our children are watching, taking notes and imitating. When we have bad attitudes, and nasty dispositions our children are watching. When we suck our teeth and roll our eyes, are children are watching. When we walk in disobedience, our children are watching. The way we dress, the way we speak, the way we act, the places we go, the things we do, our children are watching. What we watch on television, what we listen to on the radio, the friends we keep company with, our children are watching us. Women of God, let’s not continue the destructive marital and parental behavior of Athaliah. Instead, let us set worthy examples of Righteousness.
Following the deaths of her sons at the hands
of the Philistines and Arabians, Athaliah murdered even her own grandsons, who
were legitimate heirs to the throne: (2 Chronicles 21:17;
22:10-12, “They came against Judah and invaded it, and carried
away all the possessions found in the king’s house (palace), together with his
sons and his wives; so there was not a son left to him except Jehoahaz, the
youngest of his sons…When Ahaziah’s mother Athaliah saw that her son was dead,
she took over. She began by massacring the entire royal family. Jehosheba,
daughter of King Jehoram, took Ahaziah’s son Joash, and kidnapped him from
among the king’s sons slated for slaughter. She hid him and his nurse in a private
room away from Athaliah. So Jehosheba, daughter of King Jehoram and Ahaziah’s
sister—she was also the wife of Jehoiada the priest—saved Joash from the
murderous Queen Athaliah. He was there with her, hidden away for six years in
The Temple of God. Athaliah, oblivious to his existence, ruled the country.”
AMP).
You ever feel like you’ve heard the worst of something, only to find out it can actually get even worse?! Well, sisters, that is indeed the story of Queen Athaliah. She not only set a poor example before her son, and husband, but she even went so far as to kill her own grandchildren because they were the legal heirs to the throne! She craved power, position, title and glory so much that taking the very lives of her own grandchildren was irrelevant, as long as she could sit on the throne. Honestly, there’s so much to say about this portion that it’s hard to even know where to begin. Women, I understand that many of us have been overlooked, under-estimated and under-valued for quite some time. I understand that we possess gifts, talents, anointing, power, ministry and the like. I understand that we are well equipped to teach, preach, pray, and lead. However, when we do anything that causes hurt and harm to others, for our own benefits to be achieved, we are in the wrong. Many women in leadership today have lost their natural minds! Everybody wants a ring, robe, cross, title, position, and 948 initials before and after their name. What all this proves I’m still trying to figure out. Because even though Athaliah gained the throne, she loss her family! And I don’t care how high up you climb the corporate or church ladder, when you do it at the expense of your family, you are a poor leader and an imitation of a believer. As a woman of God, you should be more honored to be called “Mrs. and Mother” than to be called “Minister or Missionary”. Please understand me, because I am a wife, mother and leader. Therefore, I by no means am telling you that women shouldn’t be in leadership, nor am I saying that all a woman should focus on his motherhood and wifely duties. What’s vital to every effective, efficient leader, whether male or female, is balance and boundary. You need them both. Not to mention priority. Because like it or not, Ministry/Leadership are to come AFTER Wife/Mother. There can be no confusion or compromise on this order. You have great responsibility, but your greatest is inside your own home First. Don’t Lose Your Family Trying to Find Fame and Fortune!
You ever feel like you’ve heard the worst of something, only to find out it can actually get even worse?! Well, sisters, that is indeed the story of Queen Athaliah. She not only set a poor example before her son, and husband, but she even went so far as to kill her own grandchildren because they were the legal heirs to the throne! She craved power, position, title and glory so much that taking the very lives of her own grandchildren was irrelevant, as long as she could sit on the throne. Honestly, there’s so much to say about this portion that it’s hard to even know where to begin. Women, I understand that many of us have been overlooked, under-estimated and under-valued for quite some time. I understand that we possess gifts, talents, anointing, power, ministry and the like. I understand that we are well equipped to teach, preach, pray, and lead. However, when we do anything that causes hurt and harm to others, for our own benefits to be achieved, we are in the wrong. Many women in leadership today have lost their natural minds! Everybody wants a ring, robe, cross, title, position, and 948 initials before and after their name. What all this proves I’m still trying to figure out. Because even though Athaliah gained the throne, she loss her family! And I don’t care how high up you climb the corporate or church ladder, when you do it at the expense of your family, you are a poor leader and an imitation of a believer. As a woman of God, you should be more honored to be called “Mrs. and Mother” than to be called “Minister or Missionary”. Please understand me, because I am a wife, mother and leader. Therefore, I by no means am telling you that women shouldn’t be in leadership, nor am I saying that all a woman should focus on his motherhood and wifely duties. What’s vital to every effective, efficient leader, whether male or female, is balance and boundary. You need them both. Not to mention priority. Because like it or not, Ministry/Leadership are to come AFTER Wife/Mother. There can be no confusion or compromise on this order. You have great responsibility, but your greatest is inside your own home First. Don’t Lose Your Family Trying to Find Fame and Fortune!
Gaining the throne for herself, Athaliah then reigned for six years as an illegitimate occupant of the royal seat, since she had not been born into the Davidic lineage. She carried on the idolatrous traditions in which she was reared. The word “illegitimate” is defined as “not in accordance with the law or accepted standards; not sanctioned by law or custom; irregular; not in good usage; illegal”. The word “Illegal” is defined as “contrary to or forbidden by law” Lastly, the word “Contrary” is defined as “opposite in nature, direction, or meaning; to be opposed to; perversely inclined to do the opposite of what is expected or desired” Its Latin Origin “Contrarius”, from “Contra” literally means “against.” This all defines and describes Athaliah and her leadership in a nutshell. She was not in accordance with the law or accepted standards; she was not sanctioned by law or custom; she was irregular (‘contrary to a rule, standard, or convention’); she was not in good usage (because she was never called to be used in this capacity); she was illegal because she was forbidden and contrary to the law; she was opposite in nature, direction and meaning of what it meant to be a Legal Heir to the Throne; she opposed all that was right; and surely she was perversely inclined to do the opposite of what was expected or desired of a Queen. And she did this for 6 years! She sat in a position she had no right-standing to be in and she claimed a title she wasn’t entitled to. And not only did she do all of this, but she also threw in the idol worship of the Baals! How is it possible for one woman to wreck such havoc in just a few verses of Scripture!? Which is why we as women of God, have to be ever so careful to live right, walk and talk right. And use the wisdom of God to make as many right decisions as possible for ourselves, our spouses, children, and all others following our leadership.
Women, where do we even begin? Athaliah was a leader who in the end, had no followers. She destroyed herself, her family and the people. She had a tarnished reputation. No character, no integrity, no legacy. She dies a horrible death. With all she did in scheming to get onto the royal throne, in the end, it was the royal sword that took her life. And not only did she die, but the people rejoiced. And to add insult to injury, the city was safe and undisturbed, for no other reason, than that Queen Athaliah was dead. Can you imagine how awful of a person you have to be for people to rejoice at your death? And the sad thing is it took her death for the people to come back to God. They made a fresh covenant, installed a good king. And had peace. And all of that was accomplished simply because a woman exercising poor leadership was removed. The people returned to their God and destroyed all that Athaliah set up with her idols and Baal worship. Amazingly, as soon as they got rid of the wrong leader, the people got right!
Athaliah was killed dishonorably, like the
other members of Ahab’s family, at the Horse’s Gate. Her wickedness stains the
pages of Israel’s history, and this Queen stands as a sobering reminder of the
escalation of evil influence that can work in the heart of a rebellious woman
who determines to go her own way, rejecting God and grasping for her own power.
Now many will ask, “why would you want to use Athalia as the Woman of the
Day?” Well, truth is I always say that you can
learn from the bad as well as the good. It’s always vital that you learn what
to do, but also that you learn what NOT to do. I’ve learned as much from King
Saul as I have from King David. And today, especially with women in ministry,
it’s important to look on the Scriptures to see what we can learn from the
women who got it right, and the women who got it wrong.
No matter which church you go to, or where it’s
located, a reality is that 9 times out of 10, it will be predominately made up
of women. Which goes to show all the more why it’s so crucial that we as women
(in ministry and leadership particularly), exhibit examples of excellence (in
public and in private). Many are watching us, and more dangerous than that,
many are emulating us. And the last thing we want to do is resurrect the
example of Athaliah among women.
So today, sisters, let’s determine to be better
women, wives, mothers, leaders, colleagues and believers. Let us be great
examples of inner beauty in our own homes as well in the church house. Not to
mention in the laundromat, supermarket, hair salon, and certainly at our places
of employment. Let us learn from Queen Athaliah what NOT to do, so we can do
better!
“I want every little girl who’s told she’s
bossy to be told instead that she has leadership skills.” (Sheryl Sandberg)
“What, after all, is the purpose of a
woman’s life? The purpose of a woman’s life is just the same as the purpose of
a man’s life. That she may make the best possible contribution to the
generation in which she is living.” (Louise McKinney)
“Leadership is about making others better
as a result of your presence and making sure that impact lasts in your
absence.” (Sheryl Sandberg)
“Some leaders are born women.” (Geraldine
Ferraro)
“She was unstoppable, not because she did
not have failures or doubts. But because she continued on despite them.”
(Author Unknown)
“In the future, there will be no female
leaders. There will just be leaders.” (Sheryl Sandberg)
“You can’t create greater followers under
poor leadership.” (Author Unknown)
“People join because of the Vision, people
leave because of the Poor Leadership.” (Ekaterina Walter)
“The most powerful leadership tool you have
is your own personal example.” (John Wooden)
Much Love, Dr.Shermaine #InformativeRead #PleaseShare #HealthyBodySoulAndSpirit
"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)
"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)
"It's Not Selfish to Love Yourself, Take Care of Yourself and to Make Your Happiness a Priority. It's a Necessity." (Mandy Hale)
"Self-Care is Not Selfish. You Cannot Serve From an Empty Vessel." (Eleanor Brown)
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