Summary
The discussion focuses on the contrasting legacies of two grandmothers from biblical texts, highlighting the stark differences between Athaliah and the faithful women Lois and Eunice. Athaliah, the mother of King Ahaziah, responds to her son's assassination by murdering her entire family to secure her power, showcasing a ruthless ambition that leads to her eventual downfall. Her actions are characterized by a chilling disregard for familial bonds, as she eliminates her own children and grandchildren in a bid for control.
In contrast, Lois and Eunice, mentioned in 2 Timothy, exemplify a nurturing faith that they pass down to their grandson Timothy. Their sincere belief and commitment to teaching scripture serve as a positive legacy, demonstrating the impact of a faithful upbringing. The discussion notes the potential for hope in mixed marriages, as Eunice, a Jewish woman, raises Timothy with Christian values despite her Greek husband’s pagan beliefs.
The commentary concludes with a broader reflection on the nature of ambition and integrity, suggesting that while not all individuals resort to extreme actions like Athaliah, many still prioritize power over ethical conduct. The emphasis is placed on the importance of sincere faith in shaping future generations, contrasting the destructive legacy of Athaliah with the uplifting influence of Lois and Eunice.
Show Notes
In the two designated passages for this day we find a study of two grand-mothers.
The first is Athaliah (2 Kings 11). She is the utterly vile mother of Ahaziah, the king of Judah who was killed by Jehu (as we saw yesterday) in the mayhem precipitated by the insurrection in the northern kingdom of Israel. One could imagine a lot of different actions that a queen mother might take on learning of the assassination of her son. Athaliah’s reaction is to kill her entire family. She so commands the palace guard that her dead son’s children and grandchildren are wiped out, save for her infant grandson Joash, who is saved by an aunt (who herself may have been killed) who hides him with his wet nurse. Thus Athaliah secures power for herself.
A few years later, when Joash is still but a lad of seven, Jehoiada the priest arranges to bring the child out and have him declared the rightful king, protected by military units loyal to Jehoiada and his determination to preserve the Davidic line. When Athaliah discovers the plot, her cries of “Treason!” (2 Kings 11:14) ring a little hollow. For the sake of power, this evil woman was willing not only to commit murder (not a rare thing), but to murder her children and grandchildren—a much rarer thing, immeasurably more callous—and now she charges with treason those who call her to account.
Contrast the mother and grandmother briefly mentioned in 2 Timothy 1:5. Timothy’s grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice are women of “sincere faith,” according to Paul, and they have passed this heritage on to their son and grandson, Timothy. How they did this is not detailed. But judging by patterns laid out elsewhere in Scripture, the least they did was display personal example and provide concrete instruction. They passed on both the teaching of Scripture and the pattern of their own “sincere faith”—not only the pattern of their own walk with God, but the integrity that characterized their lives as a result. Indeed, hidden in this passage lies hope for men or women in mixed marriages. According to Acts 16:1, Timothy’s mother Eunice was both a Jewess and a Christian believer; his father was a Greek, apparently a pagan. The Christian influence prevailed.
Not all women are as evil as Athaliah; not all are as faithful as Lois and Eunice. Among both men and women, however, are not a few who, in home, at work, even in church, are much more interested in power than in anything else. They may not stoop to murder, but they will lie, cheat, and slander to gain more authority. They will face God’s judgment. But blessed are those whose sincere faith stamps the next generation.
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