This is the story of King Josiah, the last great king of Judah. While Josiah’s ministry was focused on reforming the nation, he was actually preparing the people for their exile to Babylon.
Josiah was 8 years old when his reign began. When he was 26, the priest Hilkiah found the Book of the Law in the trash can at the temple of God. What in the world happened?? It had not been that long since the reign of King Hezekiah, whose leadership was heavily influenced by the major prophet Isaiah. And now only three kings later, the people didn’t even know about “the book?” Folks, it just doesn’t take very long for God’s people to wander from the Truth. We need to make certain that our churches are preaching straight from the Word of God. We must evaluate the programs we promote and be assured that they are Bible-based. Why do we do the things we do at church? Are they based on man’s traditions or on God’s law?
Are you teaching your children the ways of the LORD? They certainly won’t learn them in public schools. They won’t even learn them if the only place they hear the Bible is for 30 minutes a week at Sunday School. Did you know that there were arguments against starting children’s Sunday School in the early days of American churches? The opponents contended that the responsibility for teaching Scripture to children rested with the parents. They rightly predicted that parents would stop teaching God’s Word in their homes if they thought their children were being taught at church. I’m sorry, but the Word of God does not take root in the lives of our children unless they see it lived out at home. If they hear one thing at church but experience the opposite at home, they are far more likely to follow what they see modeled by their parents. Take your children to church and Sunday School, yes, but you must go with them. Read the Bible and pray with your children every day. How else will they develop a hunger for personal Bible study? Parents and grandparents, pour the Truth of God into your kids at every opportunity.
Josiah spent his days cleaning up the mess made by the kings before him. I am proud of the work he did, but he shouldn’t have had to face the evil disarray in the first place. Doesn’t it bug you now that the holidays are over that all the tv commercials are about weight loss and debt recovery? Buy this exercise equipment. Go on this diet. Pay off your credit cards now. Excuse me, but all this advice would have been much more helpful in November before we got into physical and financial trouble. Don’t you agree? The people of Judah allowed the altars, shrines, and Asherah poles to creep into their lives with subtlety. What have I allowed to slink into my heart and mind? Let’s follow Josiah’s example and clean out the immoral clutter in our closets. But let’s go above and beyond by making decisions before hand that will keep us out of the chaos in the first place.
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ReplyDeleteOk, I have a question. Wasn't Jehoiakim Josiah's son? IF so, then why does it say in 2 Ch. 35 that he did evil in the eyes of the Lord, just as his fathers had. Josiah did right in the Lord's sight. Is it referring to his grandfathers?
ReplyDeleteI have a prayer request. I am needing someone to hold me accountable with my finances and overspending. I have asked someone to do it, but she said that she would try to help me, but that she doesn't stick to a budget. So, if you would please pray that the Lord would send someone to me who would help me get it in order and stick to it. I do good for a short time and then I fall off the wagon. Well, this time because of having to have 4 surgeries last year, I am getting into a bad place financially and right now can't see any light at the end of the tunnel. Thank you.
Sorry, that was in 2 Kings 37 "...just as his fathers had."
ReplyDelete2 Kings 23:27 says Jehoiakim did evil like his fathers did, and 2 Kings 22:2 says that Josiah did right just as his father David did. So yes, this refers to their ancestors, not their biological fathers. You know, none of us gets to choose our family. However, we can choose which family members we model our lives after.
ReplyDeleteI do pray for you, as you know I have for as long as I have known you. :-) You don't necessarily need someone who is an expert at budgeting. You need someone you will submit to in an accountable relationship. You need someone who is not afraid to check up on you and kick you into high gear when you need it. You need someone who is not afraid of losing your friendship if they say something that hurts your feelings.