It is quite interesting that it is specifically mentioned in 2 Kings 23:30 that Jehoahaz had been anointed as king. Was it not the case for all the other kings? Yet, it is mentioned for him, even though he reigned only three months. This reminds us of the works and glory of man. “All flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of the grass. The grass withers, and its flower falls away, but the word of the Lord endures forever” (1 Pet. 1:24–25). Man’s glory is ephemeral and passes quickly, and sometimes much faster than one might think or wish.

Following the death of his father, this 23-year-old young man became king overnight. What an extraordinary thing for him! He was now at the highest point of his career. And since he was the third son, he had no chance to become king. Maybe he worked hard behind the scenes to get there; we do not know. But one thing is certain, the people chose him to be king, contrary to the usual order.

Voilà, he was on top, he had the power, he had the glory. But what did he do during that time? He did what was wrong before God. And his dream, his magnificent reign, his glory, all of it was gone!

The take-home message is that “the form of this world is passing away” (1 Cor. 7:31). Let us not set our eyes on this world, nor on the things that are in the world, nor be occupied with them in order to obtain them, nor seek the glory or the goods of this world. Our portion is with Christ. Let us therefore “seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God,” and set our mind “on things above, not on things on the earth” (Col. 3:1–2). The outcome of doing so will be for the glory of God and also for our joy before Him!