God's Promise
hanging on a slender thread
Scripture Reading: 2 Kings 11
If you are familiar with the Old Testament Messianic promises, you know that the Messiah was first predicted to come through the “seed of a woman,” and then through the seed of Abraham. Later it was narrowed down to the tribe of Judah, and eventually to the household of David.
What you may not realize is how close the messianic line came to being destroyed before the promise could be fulfilled. 2 Kings tells the story of how Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah, in her wicked quest for power, had the whole royal family slaughtered. In other words, every descendant of David, all the heirs to the throne, was killed.
Were it not for the brave and quick thinking of Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, the messianic promise could not have possibly been fulfilled. Jehosheba, seeing what was happening, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and hid him from Athaliah.
Joash was hidden by Jehosheba for six years. During that time Athaliah reigned over Judah. But in the seventh year, Jehoiada executed a plot to remove Athaliah and put Joash on the throne as the rightful heir of David’s throne.
That was important for the political situation of the time, but it was more important for the future spiritual implications of God’s purposes. From a human perspective, the promise of God was hanging on a slender thread that could have easily been severed, ending the hope of the coming of the saving Messiah. From God’s perspective, the fulfillment of His promise was never in doubt.
When it seems as though there is no way everything will work out for good, and the promises of God can’t possibly come true, just remember you are seeing things from your limited human perspective. Yes, it at times appears that God’s promise is hanging on a slender thread. But remember on the other end of that thread is the omnipotent hand of God.
