July 20

July 20

Josiah (Southern King 31 years) -- Josiah discovers the Bible & humbles himself before God.

Today's Readings:

Reading 1: 2 Chronicles 34:8-28

Reading 2: 2 Kings 23:1-27

Reading 3: Zephaniah 1:1-6

Josiah, the young king whose father was hated and did evil in the sight of God, is determined to follow God. He provides for money to be collected for the Temple and sets about repairing the building. During this repair, the Book of the Law is found (the Old Testament Pentateuch). As Josiah hears what is written in the scroll, he realizes that his nation is under a curse because they have failed to obey the instructions given them by God. When he inquires further, he learns that the destruction God has prepared will still come (sometimes rot is so far advanced that destruction is the only solution). But Josiah will die before it happens.

Some would be tempted to sit back and wait for this to happen, fatalistically accepting the promised judgment, but not Josiah. He restores the Passover and clears out all the ungodly alternatives to God in Israel and Judah (there was no king over Israel at this time since Israel was in captivity in Assyria).

So the verdict on Josiah is: "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." (2 Kings 23:25).

So Josiah was part of God's judgment, fulfilling some of what the Lord promised through Zephaniah.

For us, let's not presume upon God's mercy (even though grace has provided us with forgiveness through Jesus). Instead, let's renounce all forms of ungodliness (including worship of money, sex, and power which are the modern forms of Baal and Asherah worship). Turning away from all occult practices such as horoscopes, freemasonry, ouija boards, and psychics will leave us free to hear directly from God's Word through His Holy Spirit, as Josiah did.

Have a great day!

Mark.