King Josiah's Death: He didn't Ask God

King Josiah's Death: He didn't Ask God

2 Kings 23:28-30 KJV

[28] Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? [29] In his days Pharaoh-nechoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates: and king Josiah went against him; and he slew him at Megiddo, when he had seen him. [30] And his servants carried him in a chariot dead from Megiddo, and brought him to Jerusalem, and buried him in his own sepulchre. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz the son of Josiah, and anointed him, and made him king in his father's stead. 

This battle" was part of the geopolitical struggle between the declining Assyrian Empire and the emerging Babylonian Empire. The Assyrians made an alliance with the Egyptians to protect against the growing power of the Babylonians". There's no record anywhere that Josiah consulted God before he went into battle against the Egyptians. Don't feel so able that you forget to ask God. Asking God for help involves humbly acknowledging your limitations and seeking divine guidance and support, recognizing that God is a source of strength and wisdom in times of need. This story is also detailed in 2 Chronicles 35:22. Josiah was wounded in Meggido. 

     He disguised himself into the battle and he was still shot. Knapp says, " “It was not of faith, else why ‘disguise’ himself? There is no record of any prayer before the battle, as in the case of so many of his godly ancestors; and this rash act of Josiah seems unaccountable.” He was taken home for burial. This is the end of one of Judah's best Kings. Divine direction describes God's guidance and leading in our lives, often sought through prayer, scripture, and seeking counsel. This was missing in his plans. He ignored the details which are stated in 2 Chronicles 35:22. Pharaoh insisted he had God's Divine direction in that battle. Josiah should have asked God. Don't be so much in a hurry that you're forced to leave before your celebration time. Ask God. Good morning.

Nevertheless.....

Nevertheless.....

II Kings 23:24-27 NKJV

[24] Moreover Josiah put away those who consulted mediums and spiritists, the household gods and idols, all the abominations that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the Lord. [25] Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him.  [26] Nevertheless the Lord did not turn from the fierceness of His great wrath, with which His anger was aroused against Judah, because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked Him. [27] And the Lord said, “I will also remove Judah from My sight, as I have removed Israel, and will cast off this city Jerusalem which I have chosen, and the house of which I said, ‘My name shall be there.’ ” 

The word ' nevertheless ' is an adverb which describes a different attitude which should have followed all the good things and reforms spoken. It is similar in meaning to ' but '. V.26 was the most difficult verse Ive read so far. Didnt God say if we repent....you know what Im about to say. It was not until I read this submission on jamesjackson blog that I had some peace. " We might think it is unfair that God would still punish Judah even after Josiah’s reforms, but the fact is, it was God’s mercy that preserved the kingdom for five more generations after Manasseh. God stayed His hand long enough for Manasseh to repent. He was followed by Amon, who was just as wicked as his father, but unlike Manasseh did not repent. Then came Josiah, the last good king of Judah. Through Josiah, God allowed one more generation to seek the Lord, to find the Book of the Law, and to reinstate the Passover. After Josiah came three evil kings in a row, and then the end.". God knows the end from the beginning.

    Judah and Jerusalem were destroyed twenty two years after Josiah. When you look at it from Ahaz, the most wicked King in Judah, youll see that God gave them over a hundred and thirty years to repent. That's not one hundred and thirty days.  James Jackson submits, " Grace and mercy are never about what’s fair. Mercy is not getting the punishment our sins deserve. Grace is getting all the riches in glory we don’t deserve. What’s fair about that?

    "The Glory of Israel will not lie or change his mind; for he is not a human being, that he should change his mind” (1 Sam. 15:29; cf. Num. 23:19). These words of the prophet Samuel provide a straightforward reply to the question “Does God change His mind?” You may win the argument with your references, remember that it is right to live right with God. Good morning.

Leadership Beyond Boundaries

Leadership Beyond Boundaries 

II Kings 23:19-22 NKJV

[19] Now Josiah also took away all the shrines of the high places that were in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had made to provoke the Lord to anger; and he did to them according to all the deeds he had done in Bethel. [20] He executed all the priests of the high places who were there, on the altars, and burned men’s bones on them; and he returned to Jerusalem. [21] Then the king commanded all the people, saying, “Keep the Passover to the Lord your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.” [22] Such a Passover surely had never been held since the days of the judges who judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah. 

     During Josiah's reforms in the Southern Kingdom of Judah (c. 621 BC), the Northern Kingdom of Israel (or Samaria) had already been destroyed by the Assyrians, so there was no reigning king at that time.  That will help us understand how and why Josiah was able to expand the reforms of the southern Kingdom into the Northern kingdom. 

    In modern  times, effective leaders  facilitate cooperation and build a shared sense of purpose that extends beyond departmental or organizational silos. Boundaryless leadership values different perspectives and fosters an inclusive environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute. Josiah didn't stay in Samsria, but he left a word for the worship of Jehovah and the celebration of passover. His leadership went beyond Judah.

   To empower the worship of Jehovah,  Josiah executed the priests of the high places in Samsria as well. There was an empowering that could only come from God. Then, he left a word for the celebration of the passover. You can't help but be amazed  at what God can do in a life surrendered to him. Global leaders are mindful of the interconnectedness of the world and take a global perspective, fostering cultural understanding and collaboration across borders. So was Josiah. May your leadership in the New Testament go beyond boundaries in Jesus Name. Good morning.

The Fulfilment Of Prophecies 3

The Fulfillment Of Prophecies 3

II Kings 23:16-18 NKJV

[16] As Josiah turned, he saw the tombs that were there on the mountain. And he sent and took the bones out of the tombs and burned them on the altar, and defiled it according to the word of the Lord which the man of God proclaimed, who proclaimed these words. [17] Then he said, “What gravestone is this that I see?” So the men of the city told him, “It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and proclaimed these things which you have done against the altar of Bethel.” [18] And he said, “Let him alone; let no one move his bones.” So they let his bones alone, with the bones of the prophet who came from Samaria.

     On December 9th, 2024, we wrote a second vignette on, " Fulfilled Prophecies ". We said, " When a prophecy is fulfilled, it is seen as evidence that God exists and that God spoke through the prophets as recorded in the Bible. It is also believed that fulfilled prophecies should motivate people to believe that future prophecies will also come to pass". Concerning Jesus Christ, Melanie Rainer presents a case where people tried to disbelief the prophecies in the presence of overwheming possibilities. Hear her: " John recounts Isaiah’s prophecy and experience to contextualize the Pharisees’ disbelief in Jesus as the Messiah. In Isaiah 53:1, Isaiah asks, “Who has believed what we have heard? And to whom has the arm of the LORD been revealed?” When John makes this reference, he is showing us how Jesus fulfilled yet another prophecy in the Old Testament". Today, there's a reminder of prophecies that carried even the name of Josiah by it.

    Three hundred and twenty six years earlier,  before King Josiah was born, a Prophet had called him by name and mentioned these reformations he will perform. The record is in 1 Kings 13:1-2. Josiah honoured the gravestone of the Prophet. In Isaiah 41:21-23, God contrasts himself with the idols Israel worshipped, " Present your case,’ says the LORD. ‘Bring forth your strong reasons,’ says the King of Jacob. ‘Let them bring forth and show us what will happen; let them show the former things, what they were, that we may consider them, and know the latter end of them; or declare to us things to come. Show the things that are to come hereafter, that we may know that you are gods; yes, do good or do evil, that we may be dismayed and see it together". Jim Springer says that one of God's stributes is, "the ability to predict the future and make sure it comes to pass". God made this come to pass. He's making yours come to pass, have peace. Where you were rejected, theres a budding celebration about to bust. Prophecies are going to be fulfilled for you today. Good morning.

The Abundance Of Reformations

The Abundance Of Reformations

II Kings 23:10-15 NKJV

[10] And he defiled Topheth, which is in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter pass through the fire to Molech. [11] Then he removed the horses that the kings of Judah had dedicated to the sun, at the entrance to the house of the Lord, by the chamber of Nathan-Melech, the officer who was in the court; and he burned the chariots of the sun with fire. [12] The altars that were on the roof, the upper chamber of Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had made, and the altars which Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the Lord, the king broke down and pulverized there, and threw their dust into the Brook Kidron. [13] Then the king defiled the high places that were east of Jerusalem, which were on the south of the Mount of Corruption, which Solomon king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the people of Ammon. [14] And he broke in pieces the sacred pillars and cut down the wooden images, and filled their places with the bones of men. [15] Moreover the altar that was at Bethel, and the high place which Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin, had made, both that altar and the high place he broke down; and he burned the high place and crushed it to powder, and burned the wooden image. 

King Josiah's reforms took place over a decade, beginning in his 8th year and culminating in his 18th year. Here's how he perfomed. 

8th year: Josiah began to seek the Lord.

12th year: Josiah began to destroy altars and images of Baal in Jerusalem and Judah.

18th year: Josiah began to renovate the temple in Jerusalem.

     From these reforms many positive things happened: 

-The discovery of the Book of the Law, likely a copy of Deuteronomy.

-The renewal of the covenant of Jehovah with the nation.

-The destruction of idolatrous worship in the Southern and Northern Kingdoms.

-The restoration of the celebration of Passover.

The details are in 2 Kings 22-23, 2 Chronicles 34-35. 

     Josiah became king of Judah at age eight and reigned for 31 years. He followed the ways of his great grandfather father David and did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. In today's read, Josiah systematically removed all the set up that the devil had used to control what to worship. As you read the details you see how crafty  and detailed the devil is. This is what is happening to countries in contemporary times. Sometimes you watch pure witchcraft at display on international News. It is the reason we have to pray for those in authority and leadership in the nations. Please pray today. Revoke the plans of satan. God needs you.Good morning.

The Beginning Of Josiah's Revival

The Beginning Of  Josiah's Revival 

II Kings 23:3-5 NKJV

[3] Then the king stood by a pillar and made a covenant before the Lord, to follow the Lord and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people took a stand for the covenant. [4] And the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest, the priests of the second order, and the doorkeepers, to bring out of the temple of the Lord all the articles that were made for Baal, for Asherah, and for all the host of heaven; and he burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of Kidron, and carried their ashes to Bethel. [5] Then he removed the idolatrous priests whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense on the high places in the cities of Judah and in the places all around Jerusalem, and those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun, to the moon, to the constellations, and to all the host of heaven. 

These are the words of Micah Stsmpley in a the popular song titled, "One Word". " Oh Lord speak into my life. I am a living sacrifice

Your word says live and not die

Oh Lord speak into my life....

One word I'm living this moment on a word

Not just any word but a word from you

A word that says I'm healed delivered and set free

There are no more chains holding me (Can I get a witness out here)". 

      We may not be able to quote the entire lyrics, but it appears to describe what happened to Josiah and started him on a streak of revival. This is what my Ai describes as scriptural revival, " In the Bible, revival is a spiritual awakening or renewal that can refer to a person, a region, or a group of people. It can also mean a restoration of God's presence among his people". When the King called all elders of Judah and Jerusalem to the house of the Lord, he was set on a reawakening.  It all happened because the King heard a word, the word of the Lord. 

     Got Questions? describes it deeper, " Revival refers to a spiritual reawakening from a state of dormancy or stagnation in the life of a believer. It encompasses the resurfacing of a love for God, an appreciation of God’s holiness, a passion for His Word and His church, a convicting awareness of personal and corporate sin, a spirit of humility, and a desire for repentance and growth in righteousness". And it all begins with the entrance of the word. One word.

     Got Questions continues the exposition. " In the letter to Ephesus, Christ praised the church for their perseverance and discernment, but He stated that they had forsaken their first love (Revelation 2:4-5). Many times as the excitement of acceptance to Christ grows cold, we lose the zeal that we had at first. We become bogged down in the ritual, going through the motions, but we no longer experience the joy of serving Christ. Revival helps restore that first love and passion for Christ. Revelation 2:10-11 refers to the church at Smyrna, which was suffering intense persecution. The cares and worries of life can beat us down, leaving us emotionally, physically, and spiritually exhausted. Revival can lift us up to new hope and faith". We are familiar with the arguments against revival. King Josiah had no time for dialectics. He wanted a serious reawakening. What do you want. Are you satisfied in your state? Or, do you want more of God? It may be time to clean the house for a real revival.Good morning.

The Impact Of Reading The Word

The Impact Of Reading The Word

II Kings 22:8, 10-13 NKJV

[8] Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. 

[10] Then Shaphan the scribe showed the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king. [11] Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes. [12] Then the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Michaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king, saying, [13] “Go, inquire of the Lord for me, for the people and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the Lord that is aroused against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.”

I was nine years old and had just learnt how to read. I came home one afternoon, and decided to read the story of the crucifixion. I sat down on the kitchen floor and I cried. I cried at the injustice to God's son whose only concern was to save the world. I wondered whether the people couldn't see through the scam of the devil to decieve the world. That was the best exegesis I could muster then. That event made a very strong impression on me. More than fifty five years later, the Word still makes a deeper impression on me.

    The Word of God is the source of truth, guidance, and transformation. It  helps people live lives of faith and obedience, and bring comfort and hope to the oppressed. Stacey Salsbery is a mother and a Bible teacher. She has a beautiful blog written on January 1,2024, where she exposed on "20 Benefits Of Being In Gods Word". We have no space to reproduce it here. Please find it and read the blog. " If only the world could grasp the benefits available to the soul who seeks God through His Word—willing to see it as truth, clinging to it at every turn. For the Word of God is life-changing and life-sustaining and life-giving. And it’s so much more, as the author of Psalm 119 ESV testifies. The psalmist offers us numerous reasons to run to the comfort of Scripture and never turn away from it.". Our entry today testifies to this impact on the King. V.11. That's where the Josiah's revival began, from the impact of the word.

    This is Hebrews 4:12. "For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart".  Check out Rom.1:16 and 10:17. Stay with us as we examine what the word did to the Kingship of Josiah. Read the word. Good morning.