Why, Josiah?

Bulletins

Brian Nielsen
11/17/24 - General

At first, I thought I had missed something. Josiah was one of the good guys, right?

In 2 Chronicles 34:2 we read, "And he did what was right in the sight of the lord, and walked in the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right or to the left." As that chapter continues we see that Josiah as king of Judah broke down altars of the Baals and restored true worship.

But then what happened? Did Josiah think he was invincible and above God? As we read in 2 Chronicles 35:21, Necho, king of Egypt, tried to warn Josiah: "But he sent messengers to him, saying, 'What have I to do with you, king of Judah? I have not come against you this day, but against the house with which I have war; for God commanded me to make haste. Refrain from meddling with God, who is with me, lest he destroy you.' "

Verses 22 and 23 tell of the good-gone-bad ending: "Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself so that he might fight with him, and did not heed the words of Necho from the mouth of God. So he came to fight in the Valley of Megiddo. And the archers shot King Josiah; and the king said to his servants, 'Take me away, for I am severely wounded.' "

This wasn't the last time a national leader may have started in right path but then fooled himself into thinking he was more powerful than he was, leading to demise. We also can see this with stars in sports and entertainment and even among religious figures. We have warnings about this including 1 Corinthians 10:12 which says, "Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall."

We can't get complacent thinking that since we have done good things for awhile we are home free. We must remain faithful as Jesus said in Matthew 10:22, "And you will be hated by all for My name's sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved."

When Josiah disguised himself (2 Chronicles 35:22), wasn't he falling into the same pitfall of that kind of sin first committed in Genesis 3:7-11? It didn't work then and doesn't now: "And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account." (Hebrews 4:13)

We can see the good Josiah did in his early years, but copying the steps of any man can also lead to imperfection. Anyone other than Jesus.

(Scripture quotes are from the NKJV)