2 Chronicles 34 Commentary
Like begets like. Thank God this rule didn’t apply to Amon and his son Josiah. Only a shortened lifespan prevented Amon from surpassing his father, King Manasseh’s record in wickedness!
But Josiah is different. Men who find themselves under wicked parents really don’t have an excuse. The generosity of the LORD is such that all men have a chance to define their own destiny under the righteous rule of the Son.
For Josiah, righteousness involves two things. First: Seek the LORD. Second: Go ahead and take action against the pagan objects of worship. He didn’t declare a truce with the enemy for coexistence – living with lies, dirty thoughts, pride, and hatred.
Traces of ungodliness may remain here and there, but let it be a battle frontier – elements to be removed from the saint’s life rather than a non-interference agreement. You cannot have both.
Josiah understands the character of His God. The LORD demands exclusive worship. So Asherah poles had to go.
A saint who fully commits to Christ understands that holiness means a very uncomfortable existence in the neighborhood of sin.
Such a saint knows the meaning of being in this world, but not being of this world.
Being in the position of power and authority, Josiah had it within himself the duty to shut down paganism within the borders of Israel. He faithfully worked towards this calling.
Bring down Asherah poles, shut down paganism, but build the temple of the LORD. It is a ministry of uprooting and planting – to take Jeremiah’s mission as an example.
It is during the process of rebuilding the temple that Josiah discovers the Law of the LORD. And the content of the Law? Well, the writing is on the wall for Israel. The LORD has drawn His sword on a nation. Josiah’s godliness will delay the sword, but it is definitely coming.
There comes a time when the saint must understand the present based on the past. There are times the sword is lifted over one’s life because of ‘those gone before us.’
If we can hold our own and respond in humility to the word of the LORD, then grace exists to take us through unscathed, even in this life.
As things stand, Josiah would be the last king-proper of Israel. Josiah’s righteousness, albeit imperfect, delayed the sword on the nation. Think of Jesus’ perfect righteousness and know the sword is permanently withdrawn for those who call upon His name!
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