The people paid taxes and rejoiced.  Yes.  That’s what it says.

“All the leaders and all the people rejoiced, brought the tax and put it in the chest until it was full” (2 Chr 24:10).  Taxes and rejoicing typically do not go together, but the money was being used to restore the temple.  And that was something the people could rejoice in.

But Joash, the King of Judah was a good king when the good priest was around.  He served the people and did well.  But when Jehoiada the priest passed away, Joash showed what was in his heart.  The idols went back up and the king bowed down and worshipped them.  It didn’t matter that Jehoiada’s son was priest in his father’s place.  Joash had him killed.

It’s not like the Lord wasn’t trying to get their attention.  It says,

“He sent them prophets to bring them back to the LORD; they admonished them, but the people would not listen” (2 Chr 24:19).

God tries to wake up nations.  But oftentimes nations harden their hearts even more to God.  It means God has to escalate his influence to get their attention.  This is true for Israel and also true for Gentile nations.

Think about your nation for a minute.  Is God trying to wake it up?  Is it following the ways of the LORD?  Has it in the past?  Is a nation hardening it’s heart to the LORD or softening?

If not, pray.  Because what happens to a nation will ultimately also happen to you.

Have mercy, LORD and save us.  Send revival and turn our hearts of stone to hearts of flesh.