Journal Through the Bible: Week 67 Wednesday

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II Kings chapter 22

Josiah must have been a breath of fresh air to the nation of Judah after the abominable reigns of his father and grandfather! When he heard the words of God's laws and the penalties for not obeying them he repented.

Does God issue any commands?

• God commanded the prophetess and those who had consulted her about the curses in the book of the law to tell Josiah that the things would happen as described but not in his day since he had repented and cried to the LORD.

Does God make any promises?

• God promised Josiah that the evil that would befall Judah would happen after his reign. Josiah would not see God's punishment upon Judah.

Does this chapter teach anything about Jesus?

• As Jesus taught, and as Jesus is, God is a just God that must exact punishment when His law is broken. However, God is, just as Jesus taught, merciful and slow to anger. God responded to the repentance of Josiah and judgment was delayed throughout his lifetime. But justice must be served, not ignored. So it is concerning us! As sinners we have broken God's law and God demands justice. Jesus paid the penalty that must be met when the law is broken: the wages of sin which is death. Even now, because of the intercessory work of Jesus God's wrath is delayed upon those who will not repent! But no one should be fooled into thinking that judgment is not coming because it is. It is only because the just God is merciful that there is still time to repent.

Does this chapter teach anything about yet-future events?

• As in the days of Josiah, we read about the judgment of God that is surely coming and wonder when it will occur. And it will occur. God's wrath will be poured out on all who do as we read in Isaiah, provoke God to His face. We are in the time prior to God's judgment upon the world just as Josiah was in the time prior to God's judgment upon Judah.