The Last Good King of Judah – Josiah

Go, enquire of the LORD for me, and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do after all that is written in this book. And Hilkiah, and they that the king had appointed, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college:) and they spake to her to that effect. And she answered them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell ye the man that sent you to me, Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah: Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be poured out upon this place, and shall not be quenched. And as for the king of Judah, who sent you to enquire of the LORD, so shall ye say unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel concerning the words which thou hast heard; Because thine heart was tender, and thou didst humble thyself before God, when thou heardest his words against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, and humbledst thyself before me, and didst rend thy clothes, and weep before me; I have even heard thee also, saith the LORD. Behold, I will gather thee to thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, neither shall thine eyes see all the evil that I will bring upon this place, and upon the inhabitants of the same. So they brought the king word again. II Chronicles 34:21-28

Steps: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5

Josiah is the last good king of Judah before the Babylonian Captivity. He follows God, he took out the idols, he brought God’s people back to a right relationship with God. When he read the book of the law he saw how deep into trouble God’s people were and he asked God’s prophet – Huldah, to seek God for him. God answered Josiah’s prayer and talked directly to him and told him what would happen – Josiah would die before seeing Judah taken into captivity. Josiah accepted this feedback and still did the best he could do to cooperate with God and hold off the punishment as long as he could.

Prayer for Today: It is so comforting to see You interact with people. We pray that as we see these stories unfold that we will believe that You would do the same for us. Help us to seek You out in prayer and ask for big things from You. Help us to know Your will and to cooperate to the best of our abilities. Thank You again for Your love.