Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

“Josiah kept a Passover for the Lord in Jerusalem; they slaughtered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the first month. He appointed priests for their duties and encouraged them in their service to the house of the Lord. And he said to the Levites who gave insight to all Israel and were consecrated to the Lord, “Set the holy ark in the house that Solomon, the son of David and king of Israel, built. You should not carry it on your shoulders. Now serve the Lord your God and His people Israel. Prepare yourselves according to your fathers’ houses by your divisions, as instructed in the writing of David, king of Israel, and the document of Solomon his son. And stand in the Holy Place according to the divisions of the fathers’ households of your brothers, the laypeople, and according to the Levites, by division of a father’s household. Then slaughter the Passover lamb and consecrate yourselves and prepare for your brothers to do according to the word of the Lord by the hand of Moses.” Josiah contributed to the laypeople, as Passover offerings for all who were present, lambs and young goats from the flock to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bulls; these were from the king’s possession.” (2 Chronicles 35:1-7)

Chapter thirty-five is the end of Josiah’s reign. He instituted the Passover – which had been largely absent under the reigns of Manasseh and Amon. They did it properly and followed the Law. It was a wonderful celebration. After Josiah had restored proper Temple worship, he went to do battle with Pharaoh Necho who was warring nearby. Necho had no quarrel with Josiah AND had been sent by God to do what he was doing. But Josiah refused to turn away and attacked. He was wounded in battle and died. A memorial to Josiah was written down in Lamentations by Jeremiah.

Chapter thirty-six is four misses. First, the people made Jehoahaz king. He was removed by Pharaoh three months later. Judah was made a tributary of Egypt. Jehoiakim was made king. He did evil and did not follow the Lord. He lasted eleven years, but was dragged to Babylon by Nebuchadnezzar. His son Jehoiachin was made king and he also did evil. He lasted three months and ten days. He ended in Babylon as well. Zedekiah was made king and he reigned for eleven years. He also did evil and did not follow God. It was under him that the nation as a whole fell and was carted off to Babylon.

The Chronicles do not end on this downer. No, Ezra ends the account of Judah with the fulfillment of prophecy. He ends with the proclamation by Cyrus, king of Persia, that the Jews could return to the Land and that they were to rebuild the Temple. What God spoke came true and the remnant was both preserved AND returned to the Land.

Summary

Key Players: God, Josiah, Jehoahaz, Jehoiakim, Jehoiachin, Zedekiah, Cyrus, the Jews.

Key Verse(s): 2 Chronicles 35:25; 36:22-23