April 5 - II Kings 22-25
We can learn several things from the reign of Josiah, who began his reign in Judah when he was eight years old. Even a child knew that the Temple should be repaired, so he set that process in motion. In the midst of the cleaning up, the Book of the Law was found and read. Josiah's tender heart realized how greatly Judah had sinned by not following God's word, so he began a great revival. This shows how much a child or teenager can do in God's kingdom. We must allow the teens in our churches to serve the Lord with all their hearts, because they can make a difference. Then, we see the terrible list of pagan sins Josiah did away with in Judah. It shows how low the people had sunk over the years. It is no wonder when they allowed the Book of the Law to be neglected. Many Christians today neglect the Word. Satan uses that to lead them deeper and deeper into sin. We must not neglect God's Word. Finally, we see that it is possible for the people to go along with a leader without a real change of heart. They observed the Passover and changed many things, but they did not change their hearts. As soon as Josiah died, they went back to paganism. In God's mercy He did not allow Josiah to see that or the destruction of Jerusalem.
Since God knew the hearts of the people, and He had already decided to send judgment because of the evil of Manasseh, the revival of Josiah was short. The Babylonians came and destroyed the Temple and all the main buildings in Jersusalem. They broke down the wall, and they took the people into exile. They left only the poorest people to tend the land. None of this had to happen. It was all the result of sin. God had given His people every opportunity to turn to Him, but they would not. He even sent the greatest revival right before His punishment. I believe that was one last effort to spare them, but they would not change. Therefore, God had no choice. He destroyed His own Temple and His own city, because they had become corrupted by every kind of sin. God is holy. He must punish sin.
I hope this is an encouragement to you to be serious about God's Word. I hope it causes you to think of the destruction caused by sin. However, I hope that in all of this you can still see the love of God. He was lovingly punishing His people to draw them back to Himself. It seems very harsh, but the exile allowed a remnant to be preserved. Later, they would return to the land and rebuild the Temple and the wall. God did not do away with them. He still had a plan for them. When you sin, God does not totally destroy you, because He loves you, and He wants you to return to Him, so you can fulfill your purpose, too. I pray you will realize this like Josiah and turn your heart completely to the Lord.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Chronicles 1-4.
Since God knew the hearts of the people, and He had already decided to send judgment because of the evil of Manasseh, the revival of Josiah was short. The Babylonians came and destroyed the Temple and all the main buildings in Jersusalem. They broke down the wall, and they took the people into exile. They left only the poorest people to tend the land. None of this had to happen. It was all the result of sin. God had given His people every opportunity to turn to Him, but they would not. He even sent the greatest revival right before His punishment. I believe that was one last effort to spare them, but they would not change. Therefore, God had no choice. He destroyed His own Temple and His own city, because they had become corrupted by every kind of sin. God is holy. He must punish sin.
I hope this is an encouragement to you to be serious about God's Word. I hope it causes you to think of the destruction caused by sin. However, I hope that in all of this you can still see the love of God. He was lovingly punishing His people to draw them back to Himself. It seems very harsh, but the exile allowed a remnant to be preserved. Later, they would return to the land and rebuild the Temple and the wall. God did not do away with them. He still had a plan for them. When you sin, God does not totally destroy you, because He loves you, and He wants you to return to Him, so you can fulfill your purpose, too. I pray you will realize this like Josiah and turn your heart completely to the Lord.
Tomorrow, I intend to read I Chronicles 1-4.