2 Kings 23
-The radical and complete reforms of Josiah to straighten
the land of Israel out are chronicled in this unique and informative chapter of
Scripture. Josiah makes a covenant before God and the people of Judah and Jerusalem
“to walk after the LORD, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and
His statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to carry out the words of
this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people entered into
the covenant (2 Kings 23:3).” What happens next is a tirade of breaking down
all the idols and false gods that could be found in the land (2 Kings 23:4-20).
In this remarkable turn of events, Israel is revived from all the paganism that
had infiltrated and dominated in so many ways during the era of the kings.
Josiah fulfills prophecy in burning the bones of these false prophets in Bethel
on the foreign alters that Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel sin, had
made (1 Kings 13:2, 2 Kings 23:16). He reinstates the Passover to celebrate to
the LORD their God. Josiah removed the mediums, the spiritists, the teraphim,
the idols, and all the abominations that were in the land of Judah and
Jerusalem. He followed through with what he committed to the LORD (2 Kings
23:21-24). The Bible states, “Before him there was no king like him who turned
to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might,
according to all the Law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him (2
Kings 23:25).” So Hezekiah was known for his unsurpassing faith (2 Kings 18:5),
and Josiah was said to be the greatest in following the law of Moses in
obedience.
-*Application* These were the two greatest kings in Judah
because of their reverence to the LORD their God. They were leaders who feared
God rather than being worried about pleasing men. Their strong stand incurred
the favor of God during otherwise lean times in the national history of Israel.
Be that king of servant of your King!
-The key contrasting term “however” starts off the 26th
verse of the chapter. The LORD did not end up turning “from the fierceness of
His wrath with which His anger burned against Judah, because of all the
provocations with which Manasseh (Josiah’s grandfather) had provoked Him (2
Kings 23:26).” He began events in the nation which would cast Judah from His
sight for a time and Jerusalem was cast off as His city for Temple worship. The
time of the Gentiles, as prophesied, was now coming and soon Egypt was allying
with Assyria to combat the rising power of Babylon, who would end up taking
Judah captive. Egypt is the first captor of Judah in part as Josiah is killed
in battle at Megiddo (the place of the battle of Armageddon in Revelation). His
son, Jehoahaz, is anointed king in Jerusalem, but is carried off to Egypt as a prisoner
only three months later. He did evil in the sight of the LORD as many of his fathers
had done. Egypt began to take gold and silver from the government and the people
in Judah during this time. After Jehoahaz was taken away, a puppet king, Eliakim
(or Jehoiakim by Egyptian naming), who was another son of Josiah, was set in the
place of rule in Judah. He continued the process of supplying Egypt with funds of
gold and silver by taxing his people. Jehoiakim also was known for doing evil in
the sight of God. The spiral downward to exile had begun (2 Kings 23:26-37).
-*Application* When God’s patience runs out, it becomes painfully
evident. Remember, there are always consequences for disobedience. The prophecies
had been made in a time of rebellion against God in the days of Manasseh, and when
His prophets speak, not a word will fail. Be careful to live in obedience to the
LORD and serve only Him. He is wonderfully patient, but He does have His limits
as we see in the text of Scripture.
Verse to Memorize: 2
Kings 23:3, 25
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