Mother's Day 2025

2 Kings 11:1–3 “Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal family. But Jehosheba, the daughter of King Joram, sister of Ahaziah, took Joash the son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the king’s sons who were being put to death, and she put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Thus they hid him from Athaliah, so that he was not put to death. And he remained with her six years, hidden in the house of the Lord, while Athaliah reigned over the land.”

2 Chronicles 22:10–12 “Now when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the royal family of the house of Judah. But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the king, took Joash the son of Ahaziah and stole him away from among the king’s sons who were about to be put to death, and she put him and his nurse in a bedroom. Thus Jehoshabeath, the daughter of King Jehoram and wife of Jehoiada the priest, because she was a sister of Ahaziah, hid him from Athaliah, so that she did not put him to death. And he remained with them six years, hidden in the house of God, while Athaliah reigned over the land.”

Introduction: Good morning, church. Today, we turn our attention to a woman you may have never heard preached about: Jehosheba. Though her story only covers a few verses in the Bible, her faithfulness helped preserve the promise of God for future generations. Her life reminds us that God often accomplishes His greatest work through those who remain faithful, even when no one sees.

I. The Context of Crisis

Let’s begin with the backdrop. After King Ahaziah of Judah dies, his mother Athaliah seizes the throne. In an effort to secure her power, she orders the massacre of all royal heirs. This isn’t just a power grab; it’s a spiritual crisis. It is an attempt to wipe out the Davidic line—the very line through which the Messiah was promised.

This was a dark day for Judah. Imagine the fear, the chaos, the mourning. The future of God's covenant seemed to hang by a thread.

Application: We too live in times of cultural and spiritual crisis. Truth is under attack. The next generation is at risk. The question is: How will we respond?

II. The Courage of Jehosheba

In the middle of this horror, Jehosheba steps forward. Scripture tells us in 2 Kings 11:2 that she took Joash, the infant son of Ahaziah, and hid him from Athaliah. She was not a queen, not a prophet, not a warrior—she was the daughter of a king and the wife of the high priest. She had access, but more importantly, she had courage.

She risked her life to save a child. She rescued and hid him in the temple of the Lord for six years. Six years of secrecy. Six years of danger. Six years of hidden obedience.

Supporting Scripture:

Proverbs 31:25: “She is clothed with strength and dignity.”

Hebrews 11:35: Faithful women “received back their dead, raised to life again.”

Application: Courage doesn’t always look like standing in front of a crowd. Sometimes it looks like protecting life, holding on to truth, or quietly resisting evil. Faithfulness is often forged in obscurity.

III. The Power of Hidden Faithfulness

What Jehosheba did in secret had massive implications. Joash would become king. Through him, the Davidic line continued. Through that line would come the Messiah—Jesus Christ.

What seemed like a small act was actually a thread in the grand tapestry of redemption.

Spiritual Insight: God often works through those who feel unseen. He uses mothers, teachers, intercessors, mentors—ordinary people who make hard decisions for the sake of God's glory.

Application: Don’t underestimate your hidden faithfulness. You may not be in the spotlight, but your obedience could change a family, a generation, even eternity.

IV. The Restoration Through Jehoiada and Joash

In the seventh year, Jehosheba’s husband Jehoiada launches a coup. Joash is crowned. Athaliah is overthrown. The covenant is renewed. Temple worship is restored.

And it all began with one woman who refused to let the promise of God die.

Connection to Christ: This story foreshadows Jesus. He, too, was hidden as a child from a murderous ruler (Herod). He, too, came from the line of David. The enemy tried to destroy the promise, but God always preserves His word.

Conclusion: Jehosheba reminds us that:

God uses the faithful who act in hidden places.

Courage isn’t loud—it’s loyal.

Obedience in obscurity can have eternal impact.

God will preserve His promises, even through the least likely people.

Call to Action: Are you being faithful where no one sees? Are you willing to act courageously, even quietly? Will you trust that your obedience matters in God’s plan?

Closing Verse: “Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” —Galatians 6:9

Prayer: Lord, help us to be like Jehosheba—faithful in the shadows, brave in the face of darkness, and obedient even when no one else sees. Use our hidden faith to advance Your eternal kingdom. Amen.