Written by Uyoyou Christiana
Charles-Iyoha
Jehosheba, Wise and Strong
Jehosheba was the daughter of the
infamous and unrepentant King Jehoram of Judah. Quite significant and
instructive is the fact that Jehoram was the son of Jehoshaphat who ruled Judah
after the demise of Jehoshaphat. Unfortunately, Jehoram chose to walk in
darkness; following in eh footsteps of the Ahab dynasty. He also abandoned the
light his father walked in. he killed his brothers the moment he ascended the
throne, served idols, refused reproof and correction despite several warnings
and catastrophes. Eventually, he died of an incurable disease in his colon. He
also suffered loss of children and wives following an invasion of Judah by the
Philistines. His only surviving son, Ahaziah took over as King after his death.
But Ahaziah also chose to walk in the darkness of the Ahab dynasty and also
died young. Quite sad but even more sad was what his mother Athaliah did after
his death. Rather than crown one of his sons King, she took over as queen and
went on a killing spree – supposedly killing all who could succeed Ahaziah.
But Ahaziah’s sister, Jehosheba who
was the wife of Jehoiada the Priest saved one of the sons of Ahaziah by
stealing him and his nurse and hiding them away from Athaliah. So, Athaliah
unleashed a reign of terror, unaware that there was a successor to the throne.
Significantly, Jehosheba’s actions
were based on the word of God, the precious and faithful promises of God to
David that he would never lack an heir to the throne. Please read Psalm 89. So
for about seven years, Jehosheba and her husband, Jehoiada nurtured the young
Prince Joram in preparation for the throne. They did this quietly and secretly.
No one was aware of the fact that any of Ahaziah’s sons was still alive except
his nurse. At the appointed time, Jehoiada acted, working in tandem with other
Priests and Levites to crown the young Joram as King.
Beloved, Jehosheba was not only a
godly woman who feared God and honored God; she was a courageous woman. She
took a great risk in stealing the young prince alongside her nurse from the
palace; a great risk because the blood thirsty Athaliah could have killed her
and her entire family if she discovered. But because Jehosheba acted in faith
like Queen Esther, God ensured that Athaliah never knew anything about it. God
kept Jehosheba and her family as well as the Prince and her nurse safe.
Secondly, Jehosheba was a wise woman
who knew and understood what it takes to keep sealed lips over certain divine
matters and tasks. She worked alone; in tandem with probably her husband to
steal the Prince to safety. Also, she did not tell anyone. Even if she had no
surviving sibling which I very much doubt to share secrets with; she would have
friends and neighbors. Yet there is no record in the Bible to show that she
shared this well-kept secret of seven years with anyone. In this regard, she
falls into the category of these awesome wise and strong women of the Bible
days.
Mary the mother of our Lord and
Savior, Jesus Christ – the Bible records that she kept what the shepherds told
her about Jesus to her chest (Luke Chapter 2 verse 19). She also did not blab
about what the angel told her concerning the Immaculate Conception, not even to
her cousin Elizabeth. Elizabeth was the one who received inspiration and
revelation from the Holy Spirit and spoke as directed by the Holy Spirit.
Otherwise, Mary kept sealed lips. Please read Luke Chapter 1 verses 39 to 56.
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