Josiah in action
25.11.05
Throughout Kings a common phrase repeats it self – “He did evil in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father had done.”1 My own father is following after God, but right now his second marriage is going through difficulties and counselling. Everyone claims they won’t repeat the mistakes of their parents, but we turn out more like our parents than we think. That’s almost enough motivation for me to stay single my whole life.
There is a king that offers some hope in the story of Kings; his name was Josiah, son of Amon, son of Manasseh. His grandfather Manasseh was the most evil king in Judah,2 and his father was no better. Yet Josiah did what was right in the eyes of the LORD.3
“Before him there was no king like him who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him.”4
During Josiah’s reign the Book of the Law was discovered. When he heard it, he recognized that God was angry because his forefathers had not obeyed the words written in the book.5 He humbled himself, tore his robes and wept in God’s presence.6
Inquiring of the LORD through Huldah the prophetess, Josiah found that the Lord would bring disaster as written in the book, that His anger will burn and not be quenched.7
Even so, Josiah renewed the covenant between Israel and God, burned the idols, did away with idolatrous priests, defiled the pagan altars, and reinstituted the passover festival. Not only did He do these things in the southern kingdom of Judah, but also in Bethel and the northern kingdom. Even though God’s wrath would not be swayed, Josiah did what is right in His sight. Josiah could have sat back and done nothing, knowing that God was already set on their destruction due to the actions of his fathers. But his heart moved him to action.
While in Bethel he learned of a prophesy that was centuries old. Asking the men of the city “What is this monument?” they told him “It is the grave of the man of God who came from Judah and proclaimed these things which you have done against the altar of Bethel.”8 Three hundred years earlier, a man of God proclaimed that Josiah would defile the pagan altars with the bones of their priests.9 What an incredible revelation that Josiah was walking in God’s plan.
In Jeremiah it is written of Josiah, “He pled the cause of the afflicted and needy; Then it was well. Is not that what it means to know Me?”10 Josiah knew the Lord, and his actions were in accordance with the character of God.
How easy it is to let defeat consume us; to settle into inaction. What if our life doesn’t change the future of our world? Does that mean we shouldn’t still make every effort to do good and to make a change. Such was the attitude of Josiah.
I’m quite familiar with doing just enough to get by – making the minimal effort necessary. Where did Josiah find such motivation? I can only suggest that his determination was God-given. Our God is not an inanimate wooden idol, but a God in action. To have the character of God means to take steps and make an effort. God isn’t putting on a show for us to watch; He wants to use us!
I know I would like to be used for all sorts of great God-projects. But perhaps we need to take a step back and listen to Naamam’s servant, “had the prophet told you to do some great thing, would you not have done it?”11 How much more than, should we do the little things God tells us to do. In doing so, perhaps the little steps of obedience will add up to something God planned from ancient times.12