The Best Role Model

The Best Role Model

Athaliah

Read: 2 Kings 11:3-16

As we waited after a wedding for the bride and groom to come to the reception, I walked toward a friend’s college-age daughter to say hello. I hadn’t seen her in several years. When she turned around, I almost gasped at how much she looked like her mom. She had the same brown eyes, the same bright smile, and a similar hairstyle. As we chatted, I noticed that she even sounded like her mother and used some of the same mannerisms. I had never seen such a strong mother-daughter resemblance.

Athaliah resembled her mother in life and in death. Like Jezebel, Athaliah ruled as a cruel, powerful queen who promoted idol worship. Just as her mother had done, Athaliah committed murder without hesitation. After seeing Jezebel’s miserable end (see 2 Kings 9:30-33), did Athaliah ever question whether following in her mother’s footsteps was a good idea? She had exposure to God’s truth, yet she chose to pattern her life after Jezebel’s wickedness. Athaliah ruled Judah for six years until a legitimate heir to David’s throne was proclaimed king. Soldiers killed Athaliah at the horses’ gate by the palace, and perhaps her body was trampled by chariots just as her mother’s had been.

Hopefully, none of us have parents who set such evil examples as Jezebel and Ahab did (see 1 Kings 16:29-31). But even if we had good parents, we sometimes repeat their faults and mistakes in spite of having seen the consequences. Even worse, some people pattern their lives after famous stars whose lifestyles leave much to be desired.

God wants us to have the best possible lives. That’s why he advises us to imitate him above everyone else. As God in human flesh, Jesus exhibited our heavenly Father’s traits of love, forgiveness, mercy, justice, and compassion. He also demonstrated a life of loving service and obedience. We can’t find a better role model to pattern our lives after than Jesus.

Imitate God . . . in everything you do, because you are his dear children.

Ephesians 5:1