What I Have Learned: Josiah And Jehoiakim: A Righteous King And His Wicked Son

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Josiah And Jehoiakim: A Righteous King And His Wicked Son

In 2 Chronicles we read of Josiah and how the prophet Jeremiah and the singers lamented for him.

“And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they are written in the lamentations.” - 2 Chronicles 35:25

Written in what Lamentations?

Some say this refers to Lamentations 4:20 and some say this refers to a book which is no longer extant. Below is Lamentations 4:20 which is clearly speaking of Josiah, as we will see when we realize who Josiah was, and the peace the Lord granted to the Kingdom of Judah for the sake of Josiah’s righteous acts (which showed Josiah’s Faith).

“The breath of our nostrils, the anointed of the LORD, was taken in their pits, of whom we said, Under his shadow we shall live among the heathen.” - Lamentations 4:20

If this verse refers to King Josiah, which I believe it does, why is he called “anointed” and what does it mean by “of whom we said under his shadow we shall live among the heathen.”

We can find out much about King Josiah in 2 Kings chapter 22 and 23. First, in 2 Kings 22:1-2 we find that Josiah began to reign when he was only 8 years old and he “did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the ways of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.” 1 Timothy 4:12 comes to mind when we consider young Josiah and his example.

King David: A Man After God's Own Heart

To really understand why Josiah is considered “righteous enough” to be called “anointed” let us look to David in whose footsteps Josiah followed.

Of King David we read that he was a man after God’s own heart. Why? Because he did the will of God. See Acts 13:22. In 1 Samuel 13:13-14 we see that Saul disobeyed God and Saul’s disobedience cost him his kingship. The prophet Samuel, under God’s direction went looking to anoint one to be King who would obey God. The Lord said unto Samuel “Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” Finally Samuel found David the youngest son of Jesse of the tribe of Judah “And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he.” See 1 Samuel 16:7-13.

In both Ezekiel 37:24-25 and Jeremiah 30:8-9 we see a future time described when David will again reign and be the King of the people Israel. The people under this future rule of David are described in these verses as being cleansed, saved, freed from bondage, obedient to God’s teachings, and as having one shepherd. Jesus Christ is that one shepherd (John 10:1-16) The Shepherd of Jews and Gentiles (John 10:16, Hebrews 2:9).

Now when these verses were written, the flesh of the literal person of King David was rotted in the grave. But Christ came in the flesh as a descendant of David, and as the Son of God, and the creator and Saviour of the world (Matthew 1:1-25, John 1:1-14). So then, in these verses the prophets are describing the future reign of Christ, which has now come to pass (at least partially) as Christ rules over spiritual Israel (which is comprised of both believing Jews and Gentiles (Romans 2:28-29)).

Now look at this. Of Josiah we read; “And like unto him was there no king before him, that 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; neither after him arose there any like him.” - 2 Kings 23:25

In essence Josiah kept the first and greatest commandment as we can see by the words of Christ in the gospel of Mark.

“And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” - Mark 12:29-30

What did King Josiah do to be described in this manner?

First, when he heard the words of the Law he realized the sins of Israel.

What was Josiah’s response to sin?

1. He recognized it for what it was by being much grieved, rending his cloths and saying “great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us.” (2 Kings 22:11-13)

2. He shared the truth with others, by having the Law read aloud in the presence of “all the inhabitants of Jerusalem … the priests… the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD.” (2 Kings 23:1-3)

3. He set to work destroying the wickedness that was in the kingdom.

“Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD.” - 2 Kings 23:24

Specifically;

- He destroyed the idols (the vessels made for the worship of Baal and the other false gods (demons)) by burning them into a pile of ashes (2 Kings 23:4,6).

- He “put down” the idolatrous priests who burnt incense to false gods (Baal, demons, the host of heaven) (2 Kings 23:5)).

- He broke down the house of the sodomites (2 Kings 23:7).

- He stopped the offering of children by fire to Molech (2 Kings 23:10).

- He broke down alters, high places, groves, and images which were used and made to worship the false gods of other nations (2 Kings 23:11-15).

- He slew the priests of the false gods (2 Kings 23:20).

We can read below how the Lord promised to let the kingdom of Judah dwell peacefully while King Josiah reigned. And that the land would not be destroyed until after Josiah died, so that Josiah would not see all the evil that God would bring upon Judah for its sins.

“But to the king of Judah which sent you to enquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard; Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD. Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.” - 2 Kings 22:18-20

This also brings to mind the verse in Isaiah in which we read how sometimes the Lord lets the righteous perish so that they may not experience the evils which are to come in this world.

The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. - Isaiah 57:1

After Josiah died his son Jehoahaz was made king in his stead. And Jehoahaz “did which was evil in the sight of the Lord.” See 2 Kings 23:30-32.

But Jehoahaz was taken away by Pharaohnechoh to Egypt where he died, and Pharaohnechoh made “Eliakim the son of Josiah king in the room of Josiah his father, and turned his name to Jehoiakim.” (2 Kings 23:34) But Jehoiakim also did evil in the Lord’s sight.

Jehoiakim's Wickedness

In fact, Jehoiakim was so wicked, that the LORD had something specific to say of him which he spoke through the prophet Jeremiah.

“Therefore thus saith the LORD concerning Jehoiakim the son of Josiah king of Judah; They shall not lament for him, saying, Ah my brother! or, Ah sister! they shall not lament for him, saying, Ah lord! or, Ah his glory! He shall be buried with the burial of an ass, drawn and cast forth beyond the gates of Jerusalem. Go up to Lebanon, and cry; and lift up thy voice in Bashan, and cry from the passages: for all thy lovers are destroyed. I spake unto thee in thy prosperity; but thou saidst, I will not hear. This hath been thy manner from thy youth, that thou obeyedst not my voice. The wind shall eat up all thy pastors, and thy lovers shall go into captivity: surely then shalt thou be ashamed and confounded for all thy wickedness.” - Jeremiah 22:18-22

Do Not Be Deceived: God Is Not Mocked

In this post on the righteous and the wicked king, we can learn much from their examples. We saw why the righteous king was righteous, and why the wicked was wicked.

1. They were either righteous or wicked based on how God judged them (hence, in the eyes of the Lord) They were not righteous or wicked based on their own reasoning or awareness, but by the Word of God (2 Kings 22:13, John 12:48)

2. In the portions of scripture we looked at we can see that they were judged by their actions, by their obedience, or disobedience to the will of God. They did what they did because of their faith in and fear of God (or lack of faith in and lack of fear of God). And we saw them both get their just reward (Isaiah 3:11)(also see 1 Peter 1:17).

In these days, our reward/punishment may only partially come in this life, as we see exampled by the many wicked men that prosper for a time (Psalm 37:1-2).

But, “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.” - Galatians 6:7-10

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Do Not Be Deceived. Beware the antichrist(s) !

"And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many." - Matthew 24:3-5

"Little children, it is the last time: and as ye have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. I have not written unto you because ye know not the truth, but because ye know it, and that no lie is of the truth. Who is a liar but he that denieth that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denieth the Father and the Son. Whosoever denieth the Son, the same hath not the Father: (but) he that acknowledgeth the Son hath the Father also. Let that therefore abide in you, which ye have heard from the beginning. If that which ye have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, ye also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father. And this is the promise that he hath promised us, even eternal life." - 1John 2:18-25

"Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: Every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God: And every spirit that confesseth not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is not of God: and this is that spirit of antichrist, whereof ye have heard that it should come; and even now already is it in the world. Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. They are of the world: therefore speak they of the world, and the world heareth them. We are of God: he that knoweth God heareth us; he that is not of God heareth not us. Hereby know we the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error." - 1John 4:1-6

"And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds." - 2 John 1:6-11

"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him, That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand. Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition; Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time. For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming: Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness. But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:"
- 2 Thessalonians 2:1-13

He Has Risen

He Has Risen Indeed!

"In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. His countenance was like lightning, and his raiment white as snow: And for fear of him the keepers did shake, and became as dead men. And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay. And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail. And they came and held him by the feet, and worshipped him. Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. Now when they were going, behold, some of the watch came into the city, and shewed unto the chief priests all the things that were done. And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers, Saying, Say ye, His disciples came by night, and stole him away while we slept. And if this come to the governor's ears, we will persuade him, and secure you. So they took the money, and did as they were taught: and this saying is commonly reported among the Jews until this day. Then the eleven disciples went away into Galilee, into a mountain where Jesus had appointed them. And when they saw him, they worshipped him: but some doubted. And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. - Matthew ch.28

"Now when Jesus was risen early the first day of the week, he appeared first to Mary Magdalene, out of whom he had cast seven devils.And she went and told them that had been with him, as they mourned and wept.
And they, when they had heard that he was alive, and had been seen of her, believed not. After that he appeared in another form unto two of them, as they walked, and went into the country. And they went and told it unto the residue: neither believed they them. Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen." - Mark 16:9-14

"But Thomas, one of the twelve, called Didymus, was not with them when Jesus came.The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again his disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith he to Thomas, Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto him, My Lord and my God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed. And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of his disciples, which are not written in this book: But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name." - John 20:24-31

"And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep. After that, he was seen of James; then of all the apostles. And last of all he was seen of me also, as of one born out of due time." 1 Corinthians 15:4-8

Heaven Bound Saint

Do Not Become Weary of Well Doing...

"Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." -Galatians 6:7-10

"For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you; Neither did we eat any man's bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you: Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us. For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat. For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies. Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread. But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing. And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed. Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all." - 2Th 3:7-16

Repent and Be Saved

Are you a Hell bound sinner? Repent and be saved. --- Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. - Mark 1:14b-15

It's Not Too Late...

"I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." -Luke 13:5

"To day if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart" - (see Psalms 95:7-8)

"While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcases fell in the wilderness?" -Heb. 3:15-17

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds should be reproved. But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." -John 3:16-21

"Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid.For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. For I through the law am dead to the law, that I might live unto God. I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain." -Galatians 2:16-21

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Josiah And Jehoiakim: A Righteous King And His Wicked Son

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