Jehosheba is an uplifting example of how one act of courage can make a lasting difference

3 min read

…Jehosheba hid the child so that Athaliah could not murder him.

2 Chronicles 22:11

This post is for the unsung heroes of the world, particularly those that happen to be women. An unsung hero is someone who does something courageous for the benefit of others but doesn’t get recognized for it.

There is a beautiful story in the Bible about a lady by the name of Jehosheba. Her decisive act of courage on behalf of an infant boy and future king could easily go unnoticed. I mean, her name doesn’t necessarily jump off the page at you. As you read the story in 2 Chronicles 22, you could easily miss the significance of what she did.

The impact of one

Jehosheba was not able to save all the children, but she was able to save one. The deranged queen, Athalia, had ordered all the royal children (her own grandchildren) to be killed so there would be no threats to her power. That’s when Jehosheba swept little Joash up in her arms and hid him in a bedroom…for the next six years.

What made Jehosheba so brave? Maybe it was because she knew there was a promise from God that was on the line. God had guaranteed David that there would always be a rightful heir to the throne and that his kingdom would last forever. If the queen succeeded in killing all of the children, what would become of this promise?

(By the way, God the Father ultimately honors his promise by sending his son, Jesus. This explains why Jesus is sometimes referred to in Scripture as the Son of David.)

As for Jehosheba, God used this inconspicuous agent of his grace to keep his promise alive. She may not be A-list when it comes to Bible characters, but her refusal to be just a spectator of evil that day is a true inspiration. She took a risk and got involved. Jehosheba played the part of a hero, even though her name would never be mentioned again.

Oh, and that little boy she saved…he would go on to become one of the most good and godly kings in the history of Judah.

What it means for us

The example of Jehosheba reminds us of the potential impact of just one. Whether people know your name or not, whether they recognize you for your efforts or not, keep doing what you do. Stick up for children and the vulnerable. For Jesus’ sake, keep on taking righteous risks. Say yes to the good. And be willing to say No, not today to evil.

It’s a new day with God. Run with it.