1. Godly help to do right (1-3)

King Joash did right in the LORD's eyes as long as he had a godly instructor, Jehoiada the priest, to guide and pray for him. But the high places were not removed, which were vestiges of compromise and convenient worship. We should ask ourselves (and not be quick to point at others): do I worship God with compromise and by my own convenient standards?

2. A good start but a tragic end (4-21)

Joash and Jehoiada decided to use the temple money to pay workers to repair the temple. To repair the temple was their act of honoring God and prayer to restore vibrant worship in Judah. After Jehoiada's death, Joash fell into idolatry and even killed Jehoiada's son for rebuking him (2Ch 24:17-25). Hazael king of Aram invaded and Joash gave him all the temple articles. Later, Joash's own officials assassinated him. It is indeed tragic to lose godly instruction and to listen to those who forsake the LORD.