Walking with God – Day 8

The leader of a country holds awe-inspiring responsibility because the well-being and development of others depend on him; therefore, we would expect him to stand out as a person of integrity and be deeply committed to his fellow men. The effects of many different leaders have impacted greatly on their countries through the ages and today, we feel the effects of those currently in power in ours.

“Righteous”, “victorious” and “lowly” are the words that the prophet Zechariah uses to describe the king who would ride into Jerusalem approximately five hundred years later, who was none other than Jesus, the Messiah. Jesus epitomises the values of a true leader and, therefore, sets the standard for all time.

Israel had suffered under the deficient leadership of many kings who did not honour the LORD and who followed the evil practice of worshipping idols, which brought God’s judgement on them all. Today, we reflect on an admirable king who tried to remove the evil practices that his father and grandfather had practised and, in so doing, found God’s favour.

Josiah came to the throne at the age of eight; he “did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left” (2 Kings 22:2). He dedicated himself to ruling well and carrying out his responsibilities, but when Hilkiah, the priest, read him the Book of the Law found in the temple, he was struck by God’s holiness and realised that he and his people had to repent of their sin.

Huldah, the prophetess, confirmed that the LORD was going to bring disaster on them, because they had worshipped false gods, but she then revealed that the LORD had relented: “Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people, that they would become accursed and laid waste, and because you tore your clothes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the LORD. Therefore … you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place” (2 Kings 22:19-20). God showed grace to the young king who was deeply convicted by His word and who had humbled himself immediately.

Josiah believed God. When faced with the truth that turned his life around, Josiah determinedly got rid of everything that he recognised as being opposed to God. “Josiah got rid of the mediums and spiritists, the household gods, the idols and all the other detestable things seen in Judah and Jerusalem” (2 Kings 23:24). In doing this, God’s word was re-discovered and like his great-grandfather, Hezekiah, he revived obedience to God’s law and everyone reaped the rewards. “Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did – with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with the Law of Moses.” (2 Kings 23:25)