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2 Chronicles 24 – Following The Crowd
Following the Crowd (2 Chron.24)
“Following the crowd”…not a good idea…usually…if following the crowd is contrary to one’s spiritual health. “Following the crowd”…something some people just can’t seem to avoid. So what can they do?
“Personality Type” books such as “The Enneagram” lists 9 distinct personalities. In the Enneagram, Type Three is often known as the Motivator. The Motivator has a compulsive need to be productive and successful, and to avoid failure as determined by his environment…the crowd. If his society as a whole values money, he can be greedy. If the society values spirituality, she will be among the most devout. Life teaches us many different societies can exist intermingled. So we must choose.
In my opinion, a Biblical example of a Type Three is Joash – Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest (2 Chron.24:2). In fact, he even surpassed his leader in zeal – So the king summoned Jehoiada the chief priest and said to him, “Why have you not required the Levites to bring in from Judah and from Jerusalem the levy fixed by Moses the servant of the Lord on the congregation of Israel for the tent of the testimony?” (2 Chron.24:6)
Yet after the death of Jehoiada the officials of Judah came and bowed down to the king, and the king listened to them. They abandoned the house of the Lord, the God of their fathers, and served the Asherim and the idols…. (2 Chron.24:17-18). Joash even ended up having his mentor’s son murdered! (2 Chron.24:22)
From spiritually surpassing his mentor to having his mentor’s son murdered. How did this happen? In both cases, Joash “followed the crowd.” Know yourself, if you are the type that is influenced by others. Don’t be weak in following the wrong crowd. So, what can you do? Be strong…pick and follow the right crowd.
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