CROWNED | 2 Kings Chapter 22
- 2 days ago
- 6 min read
Week 9 / Day 43
Written by Jennifer Kopp
REFLECTION
After a long line of evil kings, we have 8-year-old Josiah appear on the scene. He was a young boy who chose to follow the Lord's wisdom, unlike his predecessors. His father, Amon, was assassinated as a result of the evil he participated in. And, after serving as king for 8 years, at 16 years old he began to "seek after the Lord of his father, David." (2 Chronicles 34:3). The Bible says, "He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left." (2 Kings 22:2).
How wild is that? At such a young age, he ruled a nation. I don't know what you were doing at 8 years old, but I can promise you I was not even close to being capable of ruling a nation. At that age, I was just playing with Barbies (toys). I was trying to figure out how to hit a softball, and how not to murder one of my siblings. Weren't we all? This guy is out there with adults ten times his age listening to his commands.
And yet, instead of being filled with pride and ego, his heart is humble to the point of complete obedience. It reminds me of what Paul shared with the young pastor, Timothy, in 1 Timothy 4:12 when he said, "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith and in purity." Josiah was setting an example for the people of Israel and us regardless of age.
Josiah had the unique opportunity of being able to institute policies and laws that would allow the people of Israel to follow his example of yielding to the Lord. In the 12th year of his reign, he started purging idol worship from Judah and Jerusalem once again (1 Chronicles 34).
Although there had been a few kings before Josiah who had "done what was right in the eyes of the Lord," they were not diligent in obeying with all of their heart. As I said before, Hezekiah was an exception to this since he removed the high places and worked to extinguish idol worship in Judah. But under Manasseh and Amon's rule, the high places and altars to Baal were rebuilt. They reinstituted idol worship.
To bring the nation chosen by God back into right relationship with him, Josiah knew he needed to repair the temple of the Lord.
In the 18th year of his reign, 2 Kings tells us that Josiah told Hilkiah, the priest, to bring the money that had been given to the house of the Lord and ensure that it was given to those rebuilding the temple. Josiah knew that there needed to be organization and resources to be successful. So, he was diligent to make sure the house of the Lord could be repaired.
Josiah knew that he not only wanted to get rid of the idols and false gods Israel and Judah worshipped. He also wanted to point the people to the only true God. If he was going to get rid of all of the high places and places of idol worship, he needed to give them a place to worship the Lord who brought them out of Egypt.
So, when Hilkiah found God's words and gave them to Josiah's secretary, Shaphan, the once forgotten words were read aloud again. Josiah's response to hearing these words was drastic. Verse 11 tells us, "Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes." He realized how far from God's standard they were.
After he tore his clothes, he continued to seek God by telling the priest, the secretary, and a servant. He said in verse 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."
He knew that there were consequences for living in disobedience to the Lord. He knew they were in danger of God's wrath if they continued to live in sin. He knew he needed to reach out to God. So, he sent his men to consult Huldah, the prophetess.
She gives them this message, "Thus says the LORD God of Israel, 'Tell the man who sent you to Me, "Thus says the LORD: 'Behold, I will bring calamity on this place and on its inhabitants—all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. Therefore My wrath shall be aroused against this place and shall not be quenched.'"'" (2 Kings 22:16-17).
Thankfully, the message of God did not stop there. The Lord saw Josiah's obedience to him. And what was the result of this obedience?
Verse 20 says, "Surely, therefore, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace; and your eyes shall not see all the calamity which I will bring on this place."
With a humbled, tender, and obedient heart, Josiah faithfully worked to turn a people back to the Lord; and God gave him a peace that would last to the end of his lifetime.
The same is true for us. Our obedience to the Lord brings peace. It does not provide the absence of difficulty or trial; however, it does bring a deep-seated joy and security that nothing else can compare to. This is consistently proven throughout Scripture. In Philippians 4:9, Paul shares, "Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you." Isaiah shares, "If only you had paid attention to My commandments, your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like waves of the sea." (Isaiah 48:18).
Even Jesus reminds his people that obedience brings peace. In John 14:23-27, he says, "Anyone who loves me will obey my teaching. My Father will love them, and we will come to them and make our home with them. Anyone who does not love me will not obey my teaching...All this I have spoken while still with you. But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid."
And don't think that because Josiah was royalty and you are not, that you are disqualified from such obedience to the Lord. We know the type of king Josiah could have been. Josiah's father was an evil king. He did not encourage Josiah to the Lord or provide an inheritance of faith for Josiah to rely on. More than likely, he had several advisers who were counseling him to follow in the footsteps of his father and those who had gone before him. Yet, by God's good grace, Josiah obeyed the Lord and was an instrument in turning a nation back to him.
If God's grace was that good, then we know it continues to be so. His grace is enough to cover all of your missteps and mistakes. By the power of the Holy Spirit, you can take the steps of obedience you know you're called to. And by that same power and grace, you can lead others to do the same. And rest confident, God will give you the peace that makes no sense.
RESPOND
As we wind down our time today, here are a few questions for reflection.
1. When Josiah heard God's Word, he didn't become defensive—he humbled himself and repented. How do you typically respond when Scripture convicts you?
2. Just like King Josiah had specific steps of obedience that led to peace, what steps of obedience is the Lord asking you to take today?
3. Josiah removed idols but also repaired the temple so the people had a place to worship the one true God. Is there anything in your life that needs to be removed? Is there something that needs to be rebuilt or restored in your relationship with God?
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