“And Jehoash said to the priests, “All the money of the dedicated gifts that are brought into the house of the Lord—each man’s census money, each man’s assessment money—and all the money that a man purposes in his heart to bring into the house of the Lord, let the priests take it themselves, each from his constituency; and let them repair the damages of the temple, wherever any dilapidation is found.”” II Kings 12:4-5 NKJV
a. All the money of the dedicated gifts: There was a regular income coming into the temple from several different sources. King Jehoash wanted to put that money towards a particular purpose.
i. This money was received in three ways:
· Each man’s census money: This was the half shekel each Israelite older than the age of twenty had to pay every year (Exodus 30:14-15).
· Each man’s assessment money: “That is, literally, ‘each man the money of his souls of his estimating.’ This was a kind of property tax based on the personal assessment of each individual (Leviticus 27:2).” (Dilday)
· All the money that a man purposes in his heart to bring into the house of the LORD: These were freely given offerings over and above the required donations.
ii. “All these sources had ever been in some measure open, but instead of repairing the dilapidations in the Lord’s house, the priests and the Levites had converted the income to their own use.” (Clarke) King Joash, working through the priests, corrected this problem.
b. Let them repair the damages of the temple: It was natural for Joash to have a high regard for the condition of the temple, because it was his home as a young boy.
i. The temple needed restoration because it was vandalized by Athaliah and her sons (2 Chronicles 24:7). (Guzik)
Dilapidations in the Lord’s house!
“the priests and the Levites had converted the income to their own use.”
I find it interesting that they converted the income for their own use instead of maintaining the Lord’s house!
I am reminded of another time the Lord’s house was neglected!
““Is it time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, and this temple to lie in ruins?”” Haggai 1:4 NKJV
A few years ago another church in town had its furnace go out and it needed replacing but they couldn’t afford it. So our church helped them by supplying the needed resources for the replacement.
Our church always seems to have volunteers performing various maintenance work and is able to raise funds for needed repairs. Such a blessing!
Is your church dilapidated or in good order?
Blessings
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