Pastor Bob DuPar
July 3, 2008

Journal Entry



Scripture

2 Kings 22:3-23:30; Acts 21:37-22:16; Psalm 1:1-6; Proverbs 18:11-12.

Observation

It’s interesting that when King Josiah wants to inquire of the Lord that Hilkiah the priest and his cronies go to Huldah the prophetess. It was rare when God spoke to the nation through a woman (cf. Miriam, Ex. 15; Deborah, Judg. 5); but, the fact that God used women to convey His truth is significant.

King Josiah not only followed the Lord, he also removed all of the temples and objects dedicated to false gods; the exhaustive account in 2 Kings 22 and 23 which details this is a tribute to his legacy. 2 Kings 23:13 says that Josiah also desecrated the high places that were east of Jerusalem on the south of the “Hill of Corruption.” These places of worship were devoted to Ashtoreth, Chemosh, and Molech, the vile and detestable gods of the Sidonians, the Moabites and the Ammonites. It was shocking to read who had built these shrines – King Solomon. What was he thinking?

In the eighteenth year of King Josiah, Josiah commanded the people to celebrate the Passover to the Lord. The text says that “not since the days of the judges who led Israel, nor throughout the days of the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah, had any such Passover been observed.” (2 Kings 23:21-22)

Once again, 2 Kings 23:25 tells us,

“Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did – with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.”
Why God allowed Josiah to be killed in battle by Pharaoh Neco at Megiddo is beyond me.

Ananias’ blessing upon Saul in Acts 22:14 is one which any Christian would love to have bestowed upon them,

“The God of our fathers has chosen you to know His will and to see the Righteous One and to hear words from His mouth.”

Finally, I like the wording and wisdom of Proverbs 18:12,

“Pride goes before a man’s downfall, but humility comes before honor.”

Application

What a blessing to be involved and used by God in turning the hearts of people back to His Word and back to proper worship. Just as poor choices have a ripple effect, so also good decisions have a profound impact.

Prayer

“Lord, help me to make wise decisions. Help me to lead others back to You.”