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Here today I write about another boy King of Judah, King Josiah. We read of him in 2 Chronicles, chapters 34 thru 35. Following the death of his father, King Amon, Josiah, the eight year son of Amon, ascended the throne of his father in Jerusalem (Judah) and ruled for 31 years. Unlike his father, "he did that which was pleasing in the LORD's sight and followed the example of his ancestor David. He did not turn aside from doing what was right." (2Chronicles 34:2).
At age 16, in his eighth year of reign, "while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David. Then in the twelfth year of his reign, at age 20, he began to purify Judah and Jerusalem, destroying all the pagan shrines, the Asherah poles, and the carved idols and cast images." And while in the eighteenth year of his reign, the 26 year old Josiah ordered the restoration of the LORD's temple that had again been neglected by his ancestors. Keep in mind that Josiah is a descendant of Joash about whom I blogged previously. There were about eight generations from King Joash to King Josiah. Some good and some evil.
While the temple was being rebuilt, Hilkiah, the high priest, discovered the Book of the Law of the LORD as it had been given by Moses. He had it brought to King Josiah and read to him. Upon hearing the Law of the LORD, and realizing how far his people had departed from the ways of his God over the years, the Bible says, "he tore his clothes in despair" (2Chronicles 34:19) over the punishment written in the Book of the Law of the LORD. He ordered his advisers to seek the prophet of the LORD in his land, a woman by the name of Hulda.
The prophet confirmed the LORD's punishment over his people, but also informed him, "The LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken! Go and tell the man who sent you, 'This is what the LORD says: I will certainly destroy this city and its people. All the curses written in the scroll you have read will come true. For the people of Judah have abandoned me and worshiped pagan gods, and I am very angry with them for everything they have done. My anger will be poured out against this place, and nothing will be able to stop it.' "But go to the king o f Judah who sent you to seek the LORD and tell him: 'This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says concerning the message you have just heard: You were sorry and humbled yourself before God when you heard what I said against this city and its people. You humbled yourself and tore your clothing in despair and wept before me in repentance. So I have indeed heard you, says the LORD. I will not spend the promised disaster against this city and its people until after you have died and been buried in peace. You will not see the disaster I am going to bring on this place."
Upon receiving this message the king gathered all his people and read the entire Book of the Law of the LORD to the people and together with them in the presence of the LORD they pledged to obey the LORD by keeping all his commands, regulations and laws with all their heart and soul. He restored all the laws of Moses, and the worship order as per the written instructions by King David and Solomon.
Josiah was a king who was passionate about everything about his God. We read in chapter 35 about the celebration of the Passover by the 26 year old young King and the Bible records, "Never since the time of the prophet Samuel had there been such a Passover. None of the Kings of Israel had ever kept a Passover as Josiah did, involving all the priests and Levites, all the people of Jerusalem, and people from all over Judah and Israel."
Then in the 31st year of his reign, a 39 year old Josiah and his army, confronted and tried to block Pharaoh Neco of Egypt who was marching north to assist the Assyrian king in his battle against Babylon. Though Neco sent his ambassadors to assure Josiah that he had no intentions against Judah, "What do you want with me, king of Judah? I have no quarrel with you today! I only want to fight the nation with which I am at war. And God has told me to hurry! Do not interfere with God, who is with me, or he will destroy you." Josiah was suspicious of Neco's motives and engaged him in war at the valley of Megiddo.
We read, "But Josiah refused to listen to Neco, to whom God had indeed spoken and he would not turn back. Instead, he led his army into battle on the plain of Megiddo. He laid aside his royal robes so the enemy would not recognize him. But the enemy archers hit King Josiah with their arrows and wounded him." (2Chronicles 35:21-22). Josiah was injured gravely and died. When we step out of God's plans, even our very best planned efforts meet with failure.
I wonder how come Josiah, a godly man, did not seek out the counsel of the LORD through his prophet as he did when he found the Book of the Law of the LORD and realized that the people of Judah had completely fallen off the ways of the LORD . All I can think of is our tendency to not seek the LORD when we seem to understand our challenges and think we are in control. It is only when matters are totally out of our control, do we prostrate ourselves in God's presence for his intervention. When we have a common cold, we don't pray for a healing, we take a Tylenol cold pill and sleep it off, but if we are diagnosed with cancer, we go into fasting and prayer. We announce it to our prayer circles, summon the prayer warriors to battle the devil! But, what about standing in the favor of the LORD for even that which seems to be trivial. When we are not standing within the favor of the LORD , even godly people meet with failure.
Though I should point out that even in failure, Josiah met with an honorable death on the battle field defending his people, unlike his predecessor Joash who was assassinated by his own people as he lay in his bed from his injuries from the war with the Arameans. (2Chronicles 24:25). Josiah's death was mourned by the entire grief stricken nation of Judah. "The prophet Jeremiah composed funeral songs for Josiah, songs about his death. These songs of sorrow have become a tradition and are recorded in the Book of Laments." (2Chronicles 35:25)
As I have been dealing with my own health issues, I admit scared at times, I came across Isaiah's prayer for Jerusalem in Isaiah, chapter 62. In verse 6 and 7, he says, "O Jerusalem, I have posted watchmen on your walls, they will pray to the LORD day and night, for the fulfillment of his promise. Take no rest, all you who pray. Give the LORD no rest until he makes Jerusalem the object of praise throughout the earth." Apostle Paul also points out in Ephesians 6:18, "Pray at all times and on every occasion in the power of the Holy Spirit. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all Christians every where." In the Old Testament times, God had his prophets to advise and admonish his people, and today he has given us his Holy Spirit through the death and resurrection of his son Jesus Christ. Seek the counsel of the Holy Spirit in everything you do, even in matters that may seem trivial. May God bless you!
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