HIGHLIGHT
2 Chronicles 35:21 (ESV): 21 But he sent envoys to him, saying, “What have we to do with each other, king of Judah? I am not coming against you this day, but against the house with which I am at war. And God has commanded me to hurry. Cease opposing God, who is with me, lest he destroy you.”
EXPLAIN
Josiah was a godly king. What he did to bring the people back to God was amazing. He organized a Passover feast so wonderful that the writer of Chronicles says no other Passover was like it, from the days of Samuel the prophet.
2 Kings tells us that a prophecy was made that he would die in peace, that he would be spared the judgment of God coming upon the land.
Yet Josiah died from wounds in battle. He did die at home, but the fact that Pharaoh Neco’s archers shot Josiah and he died as a result seems difficult to reconcile with the prophecy made about Josiah.
APPLY
The question we must consider carefully, then, is if Neco truly was operating according to God’s will. Did Josiah step out of the umbrella of God’s protection because he insisted on opposing Neco, who was on a mission of God?
Neco was a pagan king, as far as we know. Yet Paul writes in Romans 13 of governing authorities being appointed by God. He says that those who resist the governing authorities, who have appointed by God, will incur judgment.
Should we be more cautious about rejecting out of hand “truth” delivered by unlikely sources? Should we adopt a more humble position, earnestly seeking to know what God’s will is, not being so quick to assume what we believe his will to be?
RESPOND
Heavenly Father, in my spiritual growth help me to remain humble, always willing to listen and learn, no matter from what source you send me lessons. Amen.