2 Kings 22-23 Too Late To Do Much Good

An 8-year-old boy became king.  Many would say that is foolish, but it was the best thing that had happened to Judah in a long time.  For 31 years, he ruled and brought the nation closer to God.  It’s unfortunate that everything he did pretty much amounted to being too little too late.

 

According to the genealogies given, Josiah had a son at age 14 and another at age 16.  That’s so hard to imagine!  When he was 26, a Temple repair project he’d started resulted in recovery of the lost Book of the Teachings.  Josiah wept and repented upon hearing what his nation had missed without it, and he set upon a massive campaign to bring the nation, and a large part of the seceded nation of Israel, back in line with God.

 

But his grandfather’s grievous sins had started the countdown to Judah’s demise, and no amount of good efforts could stop it.  Our faithful God did insure that His faithful servant Josiah was called home to heaven before his nation was destroyed.  Josiah went the extra mile that no previous king had ever done, removing the idol worship stations in the high places.  I’m sure it would have broken his heart to know that his three sons who followed him as king chose not to follow the Lord.

 

Father, help me to obey You lock, stock, and barrel – the way Josiah did.  But also, help me to impact my sons so that they will know You and obey You, too.  Help me not to shirk my duty of showing them what You’ve shown me about Yourself.  I want them to love You and cherish You as I’ve come to do!

 

Your Brother In Christ,

Gary Ford