We have been taking a hard look at what it means to keep the first and greatest commandment. (Matthew 22:37-39) I will be the first to admit that it is a daunting task to attempt to fully comply with what God is asking of us. Some days, it just doesn't seem possible. However, sometimes we get a peek at the life of someone who is commended for their effort. Today's reading includes the story of Josiah, who became king over Judah after the assassination of Amon. (take the time to read 2 Kings 22 and 23)
Our introduction...Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. (2 Kings 22:1,2)
Take a moment to think about what the LORD chose to record about this young man. He came to the throne at eight years of age. Maybe this is part of what made him the man he would become. He was too young to have wisdom of his own and too young to have accumulate power or prestige. Maybe he had great parents, (we are introduced to his mother) who taught him about the one true God in the midst of national idolatry. We know he ruled for thirty-one years and he did what was right in the sight of the LORD. Whatever it was that made him the man he was, we read that he cleaned house in Judah.
It would appear that God's word had been "lost" for some time. This is hard for me to understand. How do you lose God's word in the temple? (we would never lose His word, would we) The "book" was found in the house of God, yet in some way it had been lost. The high priest, Hilkiah stumbled onto the "book" and passed it on to the kings assistant, who in turn took it to the king and read it to him. The king's reaction reveals a lot about the kind of man he had become. Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes. (v 11) “Go, inquire of the Lord for me, for the people and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the Lord that is aroused against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.” (v 13)
His reaction was immediate and forceful. He didn't wait, he didn't question... he repented on the spot at the hearing of God's word and moved to make changes in his life and those around him. God rewarded him for his "tender heart" and his "humble" spirit. He promised Josiah that even though he was going to punish those that had rejected Him, those that had been unfaithful, he would be spared the wrath that was to come on Judah.
What about you? How do you respond when you discover the truth of God's word? Do you respond immediately and with forcefulness? Does God see a tender and humble heart ready to obey His words? Am I ready to do and say whatever God desires of me? What is being written about you, about me in His book now? How will our stories read?
Josiah's story ended with these words: Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him. (2 Kings 23:25) I pray that our stories will end with just such praise from our Father in Heaven and that we will hear Him say..."Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord." (Matthew 25:21)
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