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Good King Josiah 2Chronicles 34
Good King Josiah 2Chronicles 34
The ESV Study Bible notes: “The considerable space that the Chronicler devotes to Josiah’s reign (640–609 b.c.) is a mark of his importance as an example of godly leadership. From his youth (2 Chron. 34:3), Josiah demonstrates faithfulness to God. Like the other great kings before him, he promotes reform according to the Law of Moses and instructions of David, eliminating idolatry and restoring the temple (34:3–13, 33). Although the inexorable shadow of exile hangs over his reign (34:23–28), Josiah persists in leading his people into a renewal of their relationship with God and in reestablishing the Law of Moses as the basis of the nation’s future life (34:29–32). “ (pg. 793).
The problem is that as good as he was, he was unable to reform the hearts of the people. Nations are more than their leaders! While Josiah was a godly man, Judah did not consist of godly people! Josiah’s godliness and reform postponed the coming judgment of God, but such was only a temporary reprieve.
As long as we are a nation, we need to pray for good leaders: “1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior” (1Tim. 2:1-3). Notice again that such prayers is SO THAT we can lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity!” That is OUR responsibility as we pray for our leaders.
Even though most of us will never be in such positions of leadership, we are to live godly lives. We are the salt of the earth and lights of the world EVEN IN times of evil and chaos. Our instructions from the New Testament are not instructions on being American but in being godly followers of our greater King – Jesus.
Such is done ONE by ONE, individual by individual. As someone one quipped: “the unemployment rate is 100% if you don’t have a job.” The fact that you and I will probably never have such influence over our country as Josiah did over his, doesn’t lesson the responsibility for each of us to be godly! Are you being the godly influence you have been called to be?
Hugh DeLong
