God Speaks
The Reign of King Josiah in Jerusalem in Judah
Verse of the Day: [Oh, that the President, the Congress and the Supreme Court of the United States of America would follow the example of King Josiah and lead the people to recommit themselves to the Constitution.] The king stood by his pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the LORD–to follow the LORD and keep His commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, and to obey the words of the covenant written in this book. Then he had everyone in Jerusalem and Benjamin pledge themselves to it; the people of Jerusalem did this in accordance with the covenant of God, the God of their ancestors. Josiah removed all the detestable idols from all the territory belonging to the Israelites, and he had all who were present in Israel serve the LORD their God. As long as he lived, they did not fail to follow the LORD, the God of their ancestors. (2 Chronicles 34:31-33 NIV 2011)
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We Respond
Reflection: Consider the following questions regarding 2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35:
1. What does this chapter tell me about God?
2. What does this chapter tell me about the human beings He created?
Here is one possible answer to each of these questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if there are any others for you personally to ponder.
[Since 2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35 cover essentially the same narrative, the reign of King Josiah, they will be treated as a unit here.]
1. God honors people (especially rulers) who take action against evil (disobedience to God and His commands) and actually do what is pleasing in the sight of the LORD. However, He may not spare the nation from His justifiable wrath and judgment.
2. People need to follow the example of King Josiah. He made sure that workers in the Temple were respected and properly compensated. When it was found and read to him, he trembled at the written word of God and led the people in following its instructions. He gathered all the people under his authority and challenged them to join him in renewing their commitment “to obey the LORD by keeping all His commandments, laws, and decrees with all [their] heart and soul.” Then he acted, destroying (in the Temple and elsewhere) anything and everything that was opposed to worshiping the LORD God alone. He reestablished the celebration of Passover. “Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since.” [Until the Messiah Jesus.]
Prayer:
3. How might I pray regarding 2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35?
O LORD God Almighty, You deserve all the praise, worship, thanks, reverence, and obedience the human beings You created and set free can give. Thank You for King Josiah’s excellent example. He truly worshiped, revered, served, and obeyed You with his whole heart, soul, mind, and strength during his whole reign. He finished well. Holy Spirit, please help me to do the same from this point forward in my life. Also please help me to influence others in my sphere of influence to do the same. Then we will all bring You glory, LORD. AMEN
Action: (Ask God, the Holy Spirit, if He wants you to work on one of the suggestions below or something else more personal that He points out.)
4. What action does the LORD want me to take in response to 2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35? With the help of God’s Holy Spirit:
- I will renew my commitment to revering, loving, and obeying the LORD with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength and invite all those in my sphere of influence to join me.
- I will ask the Holy Spirit to show me anything I am worshiping alongside or in place of the true and living LORD.
- I will confess these sins to the LORD (and to other people as appropriate) and apply the blood of Jesus to them.
- I will cooperate with the Holy Spirit in eliminating these things, people, or attitudes from my life.
Share: I plan to share what I’ve learned with __________.