May the mumbling commence!
Do we recognize and listen to the Word of God when it comes to us from an unlikely place – from an unlikely person or source? Even King Josiah had trouble doing so. Read from 2 Chronicles 35:20-27 –
After all this, when Josiah had set the temple in order, Neco king of Egypt went up to fight at Carchemish on the Euphrates, and Josiah marched out to meet him in battle. But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, "What quarrel is there between you and me, O king of Judah? 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."
Josiah, however, would not turn away from him, but disguised himself to engage him in battle. He would not listen to what Neco had said at God's command but went to fight him on the plain of Megiddo.
Archers shot King Josiah, and he told his officers, "Take me away; I am badly wounded." So they took him out of his chariot, put him in the other chariot he had and brought him to Jerusalem, where he died. He was buried in the tombs of his fathers, and all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him.
Jeremiah composed laments for Josiah, and to this day all the men and women singers commemorate Josiah in the laments. These became a tradition in Israel and are written in the Laments.
The other events of Josiah's reign and his acts of devotion, according to what is written in the Law of the Lord – all the events, from beginning to end, are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah.
Yes, even a great leader who led the people back to the Lord can be blind to the Lord’s voice when it is spoken from an unlikely source – in this case the King of Egypt. Pharaoh Neco warned Josiah not to interfere. He claimed that the Lord was speeding the destruction of Carchemish. Neco told Josiah that he had no quarrel with Judah or Jerusalem. Neco’s message was simple do not oppose me or the Lord will destroy you.
Josiah did not listen. Josiah did not believe. Maybe Josiah felt a duty to protect those who lived so near to him. Maybe Josiah felt the duty to protect Judah because he feared that Judah would be next on the list for conquering by the Egyptians. We will never know what was going through his mind at the time, but whatever it was it prevented Josiah from hearing the word of the Lord through Neco.
And Josiah went to battle. Just as the Lord said through Neco, Josiah fell in battle. Jeremiah and the rest of Judah were left to pick up the pieces and grieve for this great human leader. But take note of what made Josiah great: he had listened and obeyed the Lord. When he stopped listening and obeying, he fell from grace.
May we keep our ears and eyes open. May we listen and hear from our hearts the word of the Lord regardless of the source. May we test the spirits to see where they come from. When we know they come from the Holy Spirit, may we follow them with reckless abandon – reckless faith in the Lord, who will protect us when we walk in his ways.
Enough mumbling for today…
Peace Out
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