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HIGH COMMENDATION OF KING JOSIAH

Text: 2 Kings 23
3 May 2011

(I) HIGH COMMENDATION OF KING JOSIAH

“Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him.” 2 Kings 23:25

1. No king like him

a) Not before

b) Not after

2. Distinctive Features

a) All his heart

b) All his soul

c) All his might

3. Fulfillment of Moses’ word

“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!

You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your strength.

And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.” Deuteronomy 6:4-6

(II) THE ANGER OF THE LORD

2 Kings 23:26-27

1. Anger/ Great Wrath (2 Kings 23:26)

2. Reasons for this wrath

a) Because of all the provocations

i) From the earliest times- the days of Moses (Psalm 78)

ii) The period of the Judges

iii) King Manasseh (Grandfather of Josiah) (Cf. 2 Kings 21)

b) Because the time had come for God’s justice to fall upon Judah as it had upon Israel

i) Judah will be removed

ii) Jerusalem will be cast off

iii) The temple will be destroyed

(III) THE DEATH OF KING JOSIAH

1. In a battle with Pharaoh Necho (2 Kings 23:28-29; 2 Chronicles 35:20-27)

2. Pharaoh’s battle against the Babylonians (2 Chronicles 35:20)

a) Battle of Carchemish

b) Egyptians and Assyrians versus Babylonians

c) Eygpt was finally defeated

3. Pharaoh warned Josiah not to get involved in this battle (2 Chronicles 35:21)

4. Josiah was killed in this battle at Megiddo (2 Chronicles 35:22-24)

5. Great mourning over the death of King Josiah (2 Chronicles 35:24-25)

a) Jerusalem

b) Judah

c) Prophet Jeremiah