I have had several mentors in my life who have shared wisdom with me that is truly more precious than rubies.

There was once a king named Joash who became king at seven years old. “Joash did what was right in the eyes of the Lord all the years of Jehoida the priest.” 2 Chronicles 24:3 Joash is responsible for repairing the temple that his grandmother, who also wanted to kill Joash (Yes, she was a piece of work.) had destroyed in order to worship the Baals.

But as soon as his mentor died, Joash abandoned the temple and the worship of idols began again. Jehoida’s son Zechariah warned Joash to return to the Lord, but Joash had him killed. Oh my! Eventually the army of Aram took siege on Joash’s kingdom, and he was severely wounded. Then, Joash’s officials “conspired against him for murdering the son of Jehoida the priest, and they killed him in his bed.

Don’t we all need a Jehoida in our lives? But we must listen and not turn from the ways of the Lord.