2 Kings 23-6.28.22
SCRIPTURE:
2 Kings 23:25
"Before him there was no king like him who turned to the Lord with all his mind and with all his heart and with all his strength according to all the law of Moses, and no one like him arose after him."
OBSERVATION:
"Every evil king in both Israel and Judah encouraged idolatry. These false gods represented war, cruelty, power, and sex. Although they had God's law, priests, and prophets, to guide them, these kings sought priests and prophets whom they could manipulate to their own agenda." (megathemes, Life Application Bible, 2 Kings).
Although the evil kings led the people into sin, the priests, princes, heads of families, and military leaders all had to cooperate with the evil plans and practices in order for them to be carried out.
Enter Stage Left: Josiah. He was the grandson of Hezekiah. They both had a close personal relationship with God. At a very young age Josiah began his search for God by destroying whatever he recognized as not belonging to the worship of the true God. In the process, God's Word was re-discovered, and as Josiah read it, he was overwhelmed by God's holiness, and Josiah realized what a great gap existed between his efforts to lead his people to God and God's expectations for His chosen nation.
UNDERSTANDING:
"Josiah is known as God's most obedient king because he recognized sin, eliminated sinful practices, and he attacked the cause of sin". (2 Kings 23:25 footnotes). " Both Josiah and Hezekiah are praised for their reverence toward God. Hezekiah was said to be the greatest in trusting God (faith), while Josiah is said to be greatest in following the law of God (obedience)".
LIFE APPLICATION:
I pray we will follow the example of Josiah and Hezekiah by allowing the Word of God and the Spirit of God to transform our lives. Josiah allowed God's Word to penetrate his heart and soul. He eliminated all idolatrous activities in Israel.
I pray the message about Jesus will dwell richly among us as we teach and admonish one another in all wisdom. (Col 3:16).
The same Word of God that Josiah trusted in is living and effective today, and it is sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the ideas and the thoughts of the heart. No creature is hidden from Him, but all things are naked and exposed to the eyes of Him to Whom we must give an account. (Hebrews 4:12,13).
I pray the body of Christ will rise up, and that we will be responsive to the Word of God, and pray as the Spirit of God leads us regarding the broken and sinful state of our nation. I pray for our nation, that we will recognize God's holiness, and humble ourselves before Him, admit our sins, pray to Him, ask for forgiveness, seek Him, turn from our sins, and walk faithful before Him.
Thank You Lord that when we turn from our wicked ways, You will hear from heaven, and will forgive us of our sins and will heal our land. Thank You that Your eyes will be open and Your ears attentive to the prayers that we offer up to You. (2 Chronicles 7:13-15). I pray our nation will be blessed because the Lord is our God!
-Robin Orefice