It’s possible for some people to borrow someone else’s faith and use it for a very long time.  We see this often with children in the families of believers.  They look like Christians, act like Christians, talk like Christians and for all practical purposes seem like the real deal – until something somehow pulls away the curtain to reveal what’s underneath.  Such was the case of King Joash. 

“Joash was seven years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Zibiah of Beersheba. Joash did what was right in the sight of the Lord all the days of Jehoiada the priest.”  – 2 Chronicles 24:1-2 (NKJV)  

As long as Jehoiada was alive Joash looked like a servant of the Lord.  But alas, something happened:  The old priest died.

“Now after the death of Jehoiada the leaders of Judah came and bowed down to the king. And the king listened to them. Therefore they left the house of the Lord God of their fathers, and served wooden images and idols; and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem because of their trespass.” – 2 Chronicles 24:17-18 (NKJV)

Joash even went so far as to order Jehoiada’s son to be stoned for prophesying against him.  In the end Joash’s servants conspired against him and killed him on his own bed.  As a finishing touch to his tragic life, Joash was not buried among the kings.  That honor was given instead to the priest Jehoiada whose faith Joash borrowed while he was young.