DEVOTIONAL

The story takes another step toward exile for Judah. Spoiler alert, it is coming. There is no way out of it. King Josiah does a major overhaul in Judah, but it is not enough. The evil King Manasseh accomplishes abandons the heart of Judah from God. Has Judah lost reverence for God and sincerity in their worship? Why spend over thirty years under King Josiah back on track with God when the inevitable for Judah is exile? As you read the passage, notice how the mercy of God covers Josiah because his heart is tender and humble before God. I think God uses Josiah as a reminder that His mercy is for the true repentant heart. The wrath of God feels too dark as if God is impatient and out of control, but Judah is unrepentant in their sin.

When Josiah becomes king at the young age of eight, Judah is not a pleasant place to live. It is a dark city not proclaiming the power and holiness of God. Manasseh’s kingship leaves scars. One thing I cannot understand is how Judah ebbs and flows with their king. Hezekiah loves God, so everyone sacrifices to and worships Yahweh. Manasseh hates God, therefore, everyone runs to the high places to burn offerings to idols. Now, Judah is back under King Josiah that is fully devoted to Yahweh. I think the ebb and flow of Judah is the warning for us. Faith in God does not change with kings or seasons of life. Authentic faith says yes to God above everything else in every season.

To see the difference between authentic and wavering faith, walk with me through a comparison between the faith of Josiah and Judah before the exile. The faith of Josiah from what we know in the passage remains steadfast to God his whole life and God honors it. On the other hand, Judah’s faith changes direction where the wind blows. Josiah seeks God and wise counsel from Hilkiah the high priest in his early years as king. The overhaul Josiah requires of Judah includes purging idols from the city gates, high places, and the temple of God. Josiah also makes sure the temple is repaired and leads Judah back to observe the Passover. During the clean out of the temple of God, the Book of the Law is picked up, dusted off, and opened. How long has it been since the Book of the Law was read aloud for the people of Judah? When my faith feels easily pulled away from God to other things, this is a good question to ask myself too. When is the last time I dusted off and opened the Word of Truth? Is my nightstand cluttered with books about business, self-help, self-made stories, or my phone with access to social media, latest trends, and must-haves that I lost my Bible underneath it all?

Regarding the words that you have heard, because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the Lord, when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the Lord.

2 Kings 22:18-19

When the Book of the Law is read, Josiah breaks down. He feels conviction and deep remorse for the generations of sin against God. In 2 Kings 22:18-20, God hears the response of Josiah and extends mercy on Josiah because his heart is tender, and he humbles himself before God. However, Judah is heading into exile because they are the ones that defile the temple of God with the clutter of statues and carvings of other gods. Judah is easily influenced by the gods of other nations like Baal and Asherah. The unfaithfulness to God extends over generations in Judah. Unfortunately, Judah buried God under everything else the world promised to satisfy them. They fell out of the regular practice of sacrifice and worship to God. The attention and devotion shift for Judah to idol worship. What we love, we will worship. And Judah no longer shows authentic love for God.

Honestly, I am tempted to jump over parts of the Bible like 2 Kings 23:27 which says, “And the Lord said, “I will remove Judah also out of my sight, as I have removed Israel, and I will cast off this city I have chosen, Jerusalem, and the house of which I said, My name shall be here.” Then I remember the holiness of God that my mind is able to comprehend on this side of heaven. God is set apart. He is far above all rule and authority and power and dominion according to Ephesians 1:21. Our sin leads to death, but in the loving kindness of God for us He sent Jesus to pay the price of our sin and reconcile us with God. In 2 Kings, Judah is not covered by the blood of Jesus on the cross. Therefore, in God’s merciful and sovereign plan He saves Judah from complete destruction and sends them into exile which is what we will look at next time. I think God appoints Josiah as king in this part of Judah’s story for a couple of reasons. One, Josiah demonstrates authentic faith (2 Kings 23:25). The holiness of God is the motivation for Josiah in every order he gives as king. Second, Josiah grieves deeply over sin against God. He teaches us how to repent from sin and get back to the truth. The mercy of God looks different for everyone. For Josiah, it looks like his life ending before the exile. For Judah, it is the exile. Yes, things are about to be dark for Judah, but the hope is in the fact that God is merciful to remind us of the truth when we have done everything in our power to burry it.

Q: What is your response when you read the Bible? Do you feel conviction for your sin like Josiah? What are two things you have stacked on top of the Bible that needs to be “cleaned out” like the temple? (voice of a motivational speaker, counselor, personal trainer, business strategist, or DIY projects to design the best home)

Additional Reading: 2 Chronicles 34-35