PLEASE READ THIS FIRST: 2 Chronicles 35-36
What do you sense the Lord saying to you in this passage?
“The Lord sent word through his messengers again and again.” (2 Chronicles 36:15)
Can any of the kings here have said, ‘I didn’t know!’?
Was God’s judgment against them and the land unexpected?
It is not that God didn’t send warnings.
And it is not that they didn’t see the evidence in the lives of the previous kings.
The Lord still speaks today, conveying wisdom and warning in many ways.
The bible is one obvious way, but also through others, and through experience.
But as in Josiah’s day, for many the bible remains out of sight, unopened, ignored.
There are many who warn us (prophets) but they are also ignored, even mocked.
“They despised his words and scoffed at his prophets.” (2 Chronicles 36:16)
The real question for me is, ‘am I listening to the Lord’s messengers?’
Where and when is the Lord trying to get MY attention, but I not listening?
As I read these words today, is the Lord trying to guide or warn me?
I believe that the Lord speaks through scripture, as well as through others.
But am I listening?
PRAYER
Lord, I may be critical of these kings for ignoring your Voice… but am I doing any better? Help me to respond to your Voice, and to act on what I hear!
Many unusual things in this passage. After Josiah has facilitated a Passover like none other since the days of Samuel (not even under David or Solomon?) God stimulates Necho of Egypt to go up to battle with Josiah – but then we read this passage of a message that Necho sends to Josiah : “What quarrel is there, king of Judah, between you and me? It is not you I am attacking at this time, but the house with which I am at war. God has told me to hurry; so stop opposing God, who is with me, or he will destroy you.” It seems to me that God is saying to Josiah – the battle is mine – he is opposing the reinstitution of faithful temple service – with the Ark representing God’s presence – and though Josiah means well but the battle, the events are of God’s design and choosing – and Josiah needs to allow God to do it. Yet, Josiah doesn’t listen and tries anyway – and gets killed doing so. God is sparing Josiah for the destruction that has long been prophesied (especially to Hezekiah (his great-grandfather). So I wonder how is God speaking to me? Others are sometimes the means. I need to listen and discern.
Live and do this. Do this and live. That’s what the Master said. However the people and their leaders all too often listen to the wrong voice. I need to be like Samuel and say, speak Lord for Your servant is listening. Prayerfully I go forward seeking His presence in all things, walking in His SonShine doing His will.
When we walk with the Lord in the light of His Word,
What a glory He sheds on our way!
While we do His good will, He abides with us still,
And with all who will trust and obey.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way
To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.