These Became a Tradition

Jeremiah [the prophet] composed laments for Josiah [the king], and to this day all the men and women singers commemorate Josiah in the laments. These became a tradition in Israel. (2 Chronicles 35:25, NIV 1984).

My Musings – Josiah, one of the “good” kings. His death is lamented by the people. Lament, “to express sorrow, mourning, or regret, often demonstratively.” Unlike his ancestor Jehoram, who “passed away to no one’s regret,” Josiah’s death greatly pained the nation of Judah. And why not? “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.” (2 Chronicles 34:2, NIV 1984). That’s how all God’s children should want to be remembered. Even by their enemies.

Perhaps the most significant thing that Josiah is remembered for is what happened when he had the Temple of the Lord purified and repaired. During the restoration, “Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord that had been given through Moses.” (2 Chronicles 34:14, NIV 1984).

“When [Josiah] heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes. ‘Because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book.'” (2 Chronicles 34:19, 21, NIV 1984). He feared God’s righteous anger, including all the curses contained in the newly found book of the Law. But, “because [the king’s] heart was responsive and [he] humbled [himself] before God when [he] heard what [God] spoke against this place and its people, and because [he] humbled [himself] before [the Lord] and tore [his] robes and wept in [God’s] presence, [God] heard him, [and declared] ‘I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place and on those who live here.'” (2 Chronicles 34:27-28, NIV 1984).

Afterwards, “[Josiah] renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord—to follow the Lord and keep his commands, regulations and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, and to obey the words of the covenant written in [the] book. As long as he lived, [Judah] did not fail to follow the Lord, the God of their fathers.” (2 Corinthians 34:31, 33, NIV 1984).

My Advice – Do not allow God’s word to be forgotten by neglecting it. Not paying attention leads to drifting. Perhaps in individual degrees that taken in isolation are imperceptible, but in totality take us far away from faithfully following Him.

“Continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:14-17, NIV 1984).