TAKING GOD SERIOUSLY. 2nd Kings 22
When a young child whose father was a notably ungodly man becomes a believer who wants to do what is right, we wonder who or what had such an impact on his life. Undoubtedly, the sovereign God can bring about an interest in divine things in the heart of an innocent person.
Josiah means “The Lord Supports.” Years before he was born, a prophet from Judah went to Bethel, where Jeroboam intended to burn incense to God on an altar he made himself. He prophesied that a child named Josiah would be king of the house of David and do what God wanted. Jeroboam was so angry that he reached out to grab the prophet, and his hand shriveled up, and the altar fell apart. The eight-year-old by-king was God’s man for that time in Judah. During the thirty-eight years of his leadership, he was dedicated to being righteous in the sight of the Lord
It may have been that Josiah's grandfather, Manasseh, took a special interest in the boy during the days in which he was converted and promoted revival in Judah. Amon, the father of Josiah, was likely a negative influence for righteousness in his son during his brief reign. It seems like Josiah and his great-grandfather, Hezekiah, were alike. Both knew the Lord God personally and wanted to return the people to God. Both promoted reform and a return of the nation to worship in the way God intended. Both were obedient to the word of God even when those before them were not.
Some people start their lives as Christians with a commitment to do what is right and high ideals for accomplishing their goals. Then, they learn that religion, like politics, compromises God's words to make it easier for them to be accepted by sinners. Sometimes, it may be the thing to do; however, if we compromise what God says, the ethical practices of Christianity, and the effort needed to do God’s will, that is wrong.
There is a sense in which people can adapt to pressure to do that, which is right because it is socially accepted at that time by most people in their circle of friendships. When some calamity unites a nation, there may be a brief turning toward righteousness and justice, but unless there is a change in the hearts of individuals, that doesn't last too long. Any work for God that is done for children's sake is very important. Their uncluttered minds are like a clean slate so that the things taught them in a way that impresses them will still be there even when secular darkness settles over the life of a nation. Those things we teach our children and others are not lost.
Whatever Josiah learned when he was young from Hilkiah, the priest, Hulda, the prophetess, and Jeremiah and Zephaniah, the prophets, seemed to have molded his mind and life. He served as king for 8 years, mainly being obedient to those who were his mentors. By age 16, he had begun serving the Lord of his own volition. When he was 20, in the 12th year of his reign, he had begun purging the nation of idolatry. When he was 26, in the 18th year of his reign, he started the repairs of the temple.
Children can sense when things are wrong. They may go along with what they are told to do for quite some time, but then they either take what they have been taught as true and follow the Lord personally or reject it. When one rejects the truth of God, they are open to anything that appeals to their fleshly interests and will likely turn from righteousness to self-pleasing. Not everything happens at once. There are times when change is made rapidly, but often, that does not last. There must be a solid base of scriptural truth when changes are made in one's life, family, or assembly. When a need is seen that should be addressed; there will likely be a period of time when we gradually take action with care and consideration of the effect the change will have on others.
The early changes that started in the nation ten years before had set a tone for true reform that led to repairing the temple in preparation for renewing temple worship. The workmen at the temple were trusted people who were obviously thorough in their work. They found a hidden copy of the word of God, likely the books of Moses, that had been preserved during the times of apostasy. The desire of Josiah to have the temple repaired and the people of God return to worship there was supported by obeying God's revealed word.
The effect was obvious when the word of God was read to Josiah. He was overwhelmed by God's holiness and the sinfulness of sin, probably in himself and God's people. Reading and understanding the scriptures greatly impacts the lives of those who are exercised to know God truly. There is a great gap between the practices of the "Christian religion" and the holiness of God.
God plainly reveals His morality, justice, and ethics standards in His word. We must obey God despite what that might mean. Popular acceptance by people and comfort for ourselves are not criteria for making decisions that affect the testimony to the name and person of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have to be willing to let go of what we prefer and think more highly of what is good for others, and that might include paying attention to their opinions.
The "righting of wrongs" can lead to blessings for many people. The understanding of holiness becomes evident when there is the conviction of sin. Guilt revealed brings conviction, and conviction brings repentance. When repentance is genuine, then faith in Christ alone for salvation is not hard to accept. One who has sinned will not find it hard to admit that they have sinned and come "short of the glory (holiness) of God."
However, taking ownership of their sin is very hard because most people want to find someone else to blame for it. Some blame society, others peer pressure, and others circumstances of life. Some even blame their parents for being the cause of their sin because of their strictness and rules at home. This barrier is removed when one is willing to stop comparing themselves with others or trying to find a reason to shift blame to others and face themselves as to who they are in the presence of a holy God.
Josiah's reaction to the reading of the word of God was genuine as he found himself exposed before God. He tore his clothes as an admittance of his nakedness before God. The contrast between Josiah and his son, Jehoiakim, is worth considering. Josiah was immediately convicted and sought help to understand what to do. Jehoiakim, in anger, took a knife, cut up the scrolls, and burned them in the fire. The actions of Josiah preserved the nation for a few more years. Jehoiakim's actions brought about the nation's final disaster.
The scriptures are not given only for reading and studying as some form of literature and information. They are God's most precise way of communicating His will and truth to us. They are given to us to live by and practice the life principles taught there. When, and if, we do that, we will find that every situation we face has guiding principles by which we can make the right decisions and take the right actions that please our Lord. If we practice what He says, our lives will be what He intends.
Hilkiah, the priest, and Hulda, the prophetess, each had a role to fill in the young king's life. Each one respected the fact that God chooses who He will to fulfill His plans. Whether one is a king or a slave, a man or a woman, or whether they are rich or poor does not keep God from giving us the responsibility to do His will in the role for which He equips us. The prophecy of Hulda was plain and authentic. God would bring disaster and defeat to His people, as He had warned hundreds of years before and repeatedly through people of faith. The warnings were written in the book of the law. Judgment was going to happen. The people could not blame God. He had warned them.
Apparently, Josiah understood this, so he tore his clothes and wept in the presence of the Lord God. The opinions and wisdom of those who are older in Christ and who have had personal dealings with God in their lives and service for Him need to be taken into account in our decision-making. Other people, both men and women, may have a far greater understanding of the word of God, and we do well to pay attention and heed to what they say. In mercy, God spared Josiah from seeing this final disaster fall because of his true repentance.
It is not easy to face the consequences of sin without bitterness against those who caused it or even against God for not stopping it but allowing it. When our sin has affected others, we owe them restitution, if possible, and an apology as evidence of our sincerity, remorse, and repentance. Unconfessed sin and avoiding facing sin leave a person unhappy in spirit with a burden on the soul that remains. There is relief when we face our sins, confess and forsake our sins, repent of our sins, and turn to God for mercy. "If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
Facing and dealing with sin, whether ours, the assembly's, or the nation's, of which we are a part, means that we have learned to take God seriously. We and others have made some failures that we can do nothing about. It is not in our ability or calling to spend a lot of time correcting wrongs others have made. We need to get on with what we can see that needs to be done right in front of us. When we have a “broken and contrite heart,” God does not ignore or despise us but will draw near and be all we need to do His will.
A child of eight may be ignored by many people who think they are not able to understand the word of God and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, let alone serve Him in any way. When a young believer is guided in their early years by not just any person who shows interest in them but one who recognizes this young person can be used by God to bring His people back to the way God intends His people to go: He can supply the leadership needed and what they lack. When an older believer takes the time to teach what God wants them to know plainly, that will be when he learns what it means to be a true servant of the Lord.
A view of God’s house based on scriptures of truth is what the young potential leader needs to know. They need to be instructed as to what a good example is worth. People will follow him when his convictions shine from within. When guided and nurtured by the truth, an awakening in one can soon spread to others who see what needs to be done. When well-led, he needs to define the work, and others will rally to that task almost as one.
The leader needs to see through the eyes God has anointed how the difficulties of the work can be overcome. He sees the gifts and talents in others who have been wisely appointed by God and knows each one has a special work to do. The one who guides and leads will find many willing to lend their strength and goods to a clearly defined goal. There will be enthusiasm, especially when its purposes are inwardly fulfilling, and they will be glad to see a bright future and not look behind.