Tag: 2 Kings 23

Tell Me What I Want To Hear

In Jeremiah 26:11, we see the priests and prophets accusing Jeremiah of treason for delivering a prophecy of doom: “This man deserves the sentence of death because he has prophesied against this city, as you have heard with your own ears.” Jeremiah’s words were not what the people wanted to hear, and their reaction highlights a common human tendency: rejecting uncomfortable truths in favor of comforting lies. This is echoed in 2 Timothy 4:3-4, where Paul warns that a time will come when people “will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths.”

The accusation of treason against Jeremiah underscores the resistance to prophetic truth that contradicts personal or national expectations. Jeremiah’s prophecy was not treasonous; it was a call to repentance, aiming to avert the disaster that awaited Judah if they continued in their sinful ways. Yet, the people preferred to silence the prophet rather than heed his warning, demonstrating the peril of valuing comfort over truth.

This scenario isn’t unique to ancient Judah. Today, we can be just as prone to seeking out voices that affirm our desires and beliefs, rather than those that challenge us with uncomfortable truths. Whether it’s in politics, religion, or personal relationships, the temptation to surround ourselves with yes-men—those who tell us what we want to hear rather than what we need to hear—is ever-present. This leads to a dangerous echo chamber, where truth becomes a casualty, and growth is stunted.

Paul’s warning to Timothy is a timeless caution against this tendency. True growth, both spiritually and personally, requires a willingness to face hard truths and to be corrected. When we reject sound doctrine in favor of teachings that merely scratch our itching ears, we stray from the path of righteousness and risk falling into deception.

In our lives, we must strive to value truth over comfort. This means being open to correction, seeking out voices that challenge us, and remaining vigilant against the tendency to embrace only those messages that affirm our desires.

Useless Defiance

The story of King Josiah’s demise is a sobering reminder that human plans cannot override God’s will. Josiah was a devout king who led significant religious reforms in Judah, rediscovering the Book of the Law and purging idolatry. However, his downfall came when he chose to intercept Pharaoh Neco of Egypt without seeking God’s guidance. Despite Neco’s warning that he was on a mission from God, Josiah proceeded into battle and was fatally wounded (2 Chronicles 35:20-27; 2 Kings 23:29-30).

This incident underscores the importance of aligning our actions with God’s will. Proverbs 19:21 states, “Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” Josiah’s tragic end illustrates the peril of disregarding divine warnings and relying on personal judgment instead.

The Bible repeatedly emphasizes the futility of resisting God’s plans. In 1 Samuel 15, King Saul’s partial obedience in dealing with the Amalekites led to his rejection by God. Similarly, Jonah’s attempt to flee from God’s command to go to Nineveh resulted in him being swallowed by a great fish, only to eventually fulfill his mission.

These examples remind us that true wisdom lies in seeking and adhering to God’s guidance. James 1:5 encourages us to seek God’s wisdom, assuring us that He gives generously to those who ask. Are there areas in your life where you are pressing forward with your plans without seeking God’s direction? Align your actions with God’s will and trust in His perfect plan.

Invaluable

In today’s reading from 2 Kings 23:1-28 and 2 Chronicles 34:29-35:19, we see King Josiah’s zealous reforms in Judah. His commitment to God is evident as he destroys items associated with idol worship. Despite their material value, these objects were detestable to him because they were dedicated to other gods. Rather than repurpose or sell these valuable artifacts, Josiah chose to obliterate them completely. This action teaches us about prioritizing spiritual integrity over material wealth.

Josiah’s actions underscore the importance of aligning our values with God’s will. The cultural and historical context of these artifacts didn’t justify their continued existence in Josiah’s eyes. He recognized that their presence, no matter how valuable in human terms, was a direct affront to God. This radical approach calls us to evaluate our lives and identify anything that could be a stumbling block to our faith. It could be habits, relationships, or pursuits that detract from our devotion to God.

Josiah’s decision to destroy the idols rather than repurpose them shows his commitment to spiritual purity. This principle applies to our own lives. If something, no matter how valuable, leads us away from God, it is better to remove it completely. By doing so, we create space for God’s presence and blessings to flourish, just as Josiah’s reforms led to a renewed covenant with the Lord and a period of spiritual revival in Judah.

Reflection Questions:

  1. What valuable things in your life might be leading you away from your commitment to God?
  2. How can you prioritize spiritual integrity over material wealth?
  3. Are there habits or relationships that you need to reconsider in light of your faith?