APRIL 2 KINGS 22-25

2 Kings 22-25
The leader of Judah’s last great revival, before the exile, was my grandson.

Just kidding!

But my grandson was named for him. Josiah was ascended to the throne of Judah at age 8; my Josiah would have been reigning two years already. 

The Bible Josiah’s father was Amon, the wicked son of Manasseh, the wicked son of Hezekiah. Amon’s officials conspired to assassinate him, and the people killed all the conspirators and made the 8-year old prince their king. 

Why did Josiah become such a great king, when his father and grandfather had been so terribly evil? Credit must be given to three people, I think: his mother, Jedidiah, whose lineage is honored, his royal secretary, Shaphan, and the ruling high priest, Hilkiah. Were Josiah here, I’d like to think he’d honor these people for hand in forming his heart for God. 

We will learn more of the details of Josiah’s incredible reign in 2 Chronicles. For now, suffice it to say that Josiah began well, grew well and lived well. At the age of 26, he instituted temple repairs. In the process, some portion of the scriptures was found, possibly Deuteronomy. It was read to Josiah, and the Word of God convicted him, humbled him and led him to make great changes in the Kingdom of Judah. Among them were these: he renewed the ancient Covenant that he had read about, he destroyed the idolatrous worship centers, and he drove out all the mediums and occultists.

Too little, too late. Despite all the Josiah had done, God was determined to punish his people for their idolatry. 

Josiah was killed in battle with Pharaoh Neco in the battle of Megiddo; his son, Jehoahaz was taken captive after reigning only three months (he died in Neco’s prison); Jehoiakim, his brother, became King of Judah only because he promised a heavy tax to Pharaoh Neco. Midway through his reign, Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian king, invaded Judah, and drove out the Egyptians. Jehoiakim’s son, Jehoiachin, became king and lasted three months; he was taken captive to Babylon, while the Babylonians placed his uncle, Zedekiah, on the throne as a figurehead.

The end came as Zedekiah rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was defeated, taken captive, and…

Oh read it for yourselves; it’s too terrible to think about for long.

So, Jerusalem fell, the temple was destroyed, the valuables were taken, and the best of the people (from Babylon’s point of view) were taken into exile.

Before we find out what happened, before we rediscover the faithfulness of the Lord to his exiled children, we have to re-live the whole long story in 1st and 2nd Chronicles!

Your fellow Bible trekker,
Pastor Gary

P.S. Today is the one month pre-anniversary of my bi-lateral knee replacement. Please pray for my doctor, Shiraz Patel, of Paducah, Kentucky.