And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him. 2 Kings 23:25
Often, we learn from history those characteristics which are essential in the making of Great Leaders; those who stand in the gap. They inspire and transform our hearts from the inside out by setting the stage and by exemplifying that which we need to model. Josiah was such a leader. Monday, I laid the foundation by telling you of his history as King of Judah. Now from the scriptures in 2 Kings 22-23 as well as 2 Chronicles 34 to 35. I will reference for you the scriptures that most represent each characteristic; although, I will not be able to quote each one simply due to the magnitude. So please go and read them yourself in your preferred translation.
Why is this so important? This year we have the privilege of voting for a President to lead our nation. As I am writing this, I am heartbroken to learn that another police officer was shot and killed in Kansas City. As you see, I am in the airport awaiting a flight that will take me to a conference for Christian writers and speakers. Unavoidably the news is playing in the background. Our country is a great nation with lots of really good people; yet, we are facing a crisis as well. Financial distress, social unrest with anger driving it, attacks from terrorists, an infrastructure that is beginning to fail, and fear. So it is crucial that we study those characteristics of this young King to learn what made a real leader.
King David was a man after the heart of God and dearly loved. Though he made mistakes along his journey, he remains forever God’s beloved King. Yet, even of King David it could not be said that always he did according to the law of Moses; nor that he in every situation “turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might”. Most of us are familiar with David’s Story and are so thankful that it was God’s Grace that carried David throughout his life. I, too; am in so need of Grace. My heart is not nearly as tender for God as was that presented of David; though, I wish with all my heart it was. But right now let us look at Josiah’s life to learn of what characteristics we most want to lead our nation.
1. Seek After God. We are told that Josiah was crowned King at the age of 8. Then we are told that in his 8th year (at age 16); he began to seek the Lord with all his heart. We are not told why. We are not told who may have influenced him. We are merely told that this was the beginning of his greatness. If you remember, his father and grandfather both had turned to Baal worship and had stolen gold from the temple as well as allowed the temple to begin to crumble from into shambles. Certainly, they did not play a role in Josiah’s desire to seek after God. They had been only concerned with their own selfish pleasures. The nation had blindly followed for a time. Then God opened the eyes of Josiah’s heart and he began to seek God. Yes, I truly believe it was God Himself who opened the eyes of Josiah so that he might become the leader he did, willing to stand firm in the gap for his nation. (2 Kings 22:1-2, 2 Chronicles 34:1-3)
2. Unashamedly Stand Against Evil and Corruption—We are told then that 4 years later (age 20) he began to purge the nation of all the idols and the idol worshippers. He did this with great fervor and used whatever means necessary to destroy the evil within the borders of the Judah and Jerusalem. He did not leave any behind, for he knew that humans would seek that which fulfill their own selfish agendas at the destruction of his nation. He was ruthless and stood strong. (2 Chronicles 34:3-8)
3. Rebuild the Infrastructure—Josiah then began the immediate rebuilding and refurbishing of the temple—this to him was crucial for the nation and in order to show his total devotion to God. (2 Chronicles 34:8-14)
4. Put People To work. He did did not bring in slaves or men from other countries to do the labor cheaply. Instead, he put his own people to work and entrusted the laborers with the riches needed for the task. (2 Chronicles 34: 9-14; 2 Kings 22:4-7)
5. He restored the Law. It was with great sorrow as he read the law that he mourned for the people’s lawlessness. This I feel I must include the versus for you to read. First when the King read the books of the law, he wept and rent his clothes for he was greatly grieved for his people. Then he called the priests and:
Go ye, enquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us. Go ye, enquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her. And she said unto them, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me, Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read: Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.But to the king of Judah which sent you to enquire of the Lord, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard; Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord.Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again (2 Chronicles 34:13-20).
6. Gather all the leaders to make a Covenant to Lead by Example He then gathered all the leaders and the priests to make a covenant with God to follow after the law and order set out by God in the book of the law. (2 Chronicles 34: 20-33)
7. Re-establish the Traditions of Faith. He then had the priests perform the necessary sacrifices to prepare themselves. Then he set up a Passover greater than the nation had seen—a day of repentance for all the people—rich, poor, forlorn, and forgotten they all came. (2 Chronicles 35: 1-18)
8. Willing to stand in the gap with generosity. To those who had no provisions to bring a sacrifice, he gave them of his own sheep and stock. (2 Chronicles 35:7)
9. Unafraid to lead the Battle when attacked by enemies. Then when the King of Egypt came to fight against the nation, he sent word to tell the King not to go into battle for he did not want to fight him; rather, the people. But the King went and there he was shot and died. He was unafraid to defend his people.
After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Charchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him.But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not. Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded. His servants therefore took him out of that chariot, and put him in the second chariot that he had; and they brought him to Jerusalem, and he died, and was buried in one of the sepulchres of his fathers. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah 2 Chronicles 35:21-24
I hope you read, study, and pray that God guide your heart to vote for the candidate who demonstrates more of these characteristics. I will be praying for wisdom as I proceed to the polls this year as well.
But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 1 John 1:7
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.