Read 2 Kings 23:21-25
Highlights:
Passover restored; destruction of Jerusalem and Temple foretold;death of Josiah; fall of Jerusalem; captivity of Judah
And like unto him was there no king before him, that 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; neither after him arose there any like him (2 Kings 23:25).
Josiah began to reign at the young age of eight. Even from his youth, Josiah had chosen to be different than many of his ancestors. He chose to walk in the ways of God.
Many of his relatives that had served as king and those who would serve as king had not chosen that path. They had served false gods and worshipped idols. Most of these practices came from alliances with the heathen nations around them. God warns in His Word many times about the dangers of such relationships.Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Cor. 6:14).
Josiah knew that Judah did not need the protection of the ungodly. In times of need, God would take care of them as long as they followed after His ways. Josiah made the decision to place his trust in God instead of human beings. He would lead his life as an example of following God.Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? (Rom. 6:16).
Josiah's dedication to the Lord must have been something special indeed. The testimony of his life recorded in chapter 23:15 is truly a great proclamation. There was no king that came before him or after him that served God as faithfully as he did.
That puts him above some pretty high company. David, Solomon and Hezekiah had all made their own mistakes. Yet, they had done great things for God's kingdom. They all are spoken of as having positive spiritual qualities at times.
Josiah went above that. He gave his all to the Lord as the scripture records here. History will remember him forever for his relationship with God and the things he accomplished to bring Judah back to God. Will we be remembered the same?
And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment (Mark 12:30).
Thought for Today:
For a nation to forsake the One True God is utter madness and chaos. May every nation see the example of Israel and turn to the Lord.
Christ Portrayed:
Through the Passover (2 Kin. 23:21-23), which, as a type, foreshadowed Jesus Christ, our Redeemer and Passover Lamb, who delivers us from spiritual death through His sacrificial death I am He that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death (Rev. 1:18).
Word Studies:
25:12 husbandmen, farmers; 25:16 without weight, beyond measure; 25:27 lift up the head, release from prison.
Prayer Suggestion: Pray in such a manner that others would be encouraged to praise and glorify God also (Jude 1:24-25).
Optional Reading: Romans 13
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 119:18