God's Promises Fulfilled
- Justin Ray
- Apr 29, 2020
- 5 min read
II Kings 22-25
In today's text, we have what could appear to be conflicting promises. On the one hand, God had promised to destroy Jerusalem and that the people of Judah would go into captivity because of their idol worship and the extremely evil influence of Manasseh. On the other hand, God promised to bless his people if they served him. How could God do both when, as we will see, such a good king took the throne of Judah?
In chapter 22, Josiah becomes king. He is eight years old but will be a good king. Following the counsel of the Godly men around him, Josiah called for the repair of the Temple. While repairing the Temple, the priests come across the Book of the Law of God. They take it to the king and he has it read to him. When the king heard the words of the Law of God, he tore his clothes because he knew that Judah had sinned GREATLY!
Just by hearing the law of God, Josiah knew that Judah had sinned against God and that he was angry. Desiring to know more, Josiah sent servants to a prophetess. Huldah the Prophetess did not hold back. She told them
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: 17 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.
II Kings 22:16-18
God's judgement on Judah was certain. It was going to happen. A just God cannot let sin go unpunished. A time of reckoning was coming.
Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard; 19 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. 20 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.
II Kings 22:18-20
In the above passage, we have the resolution of the conflict between God's promises. God would judge Judah, but not when they were being obedient to him. Josiah had received a reprieve from judgment because of his faithfulness and repentance for the sins of the nation. God is omniscient. He knows what we will do before we do it. Josiah's faithfulness no more surprised God than did Manasseh's total rebellion against God. Thus, when he foretells the future, it is because he already knows what will happen before it does. He simply affords men the opportunity to make the decisions he already knows they will. Freewill, sovereignty, and omniscience can become very confusing if we spend too much time trying to understand them. We must remember that God's ways are not our was because he is infinite and we are finite.
In chapter 23, Josiah went on a purging spree. He went throughout all the land of Judah removing everything pagan. He destroyed and desecrated pagan worship sites, and killed the priests. He used the bones of the dead the desecrate the "holy" places for the idols. There is one tomb that he did not disturb. One tomb had a title above it. When Josiah asked who the tomb belonged to, they told him a faithful prophet of God. Josiah commanded his people to leave that tomb alone. While rejected in life, the prophet was honored in death.
Josiah died in combat. He went to war with Egypt and was shot with an arrow. His wounds were fatal and he died just as soon as he got back to Jerusalem. He was the final Godly king of Judah. Well, the final Godly king until Jesus takes the throne of David in the future.
Jehoahaz took the throne after his father's death. He was evil. The Pharaoh of Egypt captured him and took him away. He then placed his brother Jehoiakim on the throne.
Chapter 24 tells us that King Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem during Jehoiakim's reign. Judah became the servants of Babylon, but three years later Jehoiakim rebelled against Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon sent armies to invade Jerusalem. For whatever reason, Jehoiakim died 11 years into his reign (36 years old) and his son took the throne.
Jehoiachin was king for 3 months before he was taken captive by Babylon and carried to Babylon where he would spend the rest of his life. This is the second group that was taken to Babylon. Daniel and the other Hebrews were taken during the reign of Jehoiakim. Nebuchadnezzar placed Zedekiah, Jehoiachin's uncle, on the throne as king.
Zedekiah was king for 11 years. He rebelled against Babylon and paid a heavy price. Babylon sent their army and they again laid siege to the city. Zedekiah and his sons were captured. They made Zedekiah watch as they killed his sons. Then, they gouged out his eyes, put him in shackles, and took him to Babylon where he died.
The rest of the chapter tells of the utter destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple. Also, of Babylon killing the priests and other important people. Just as God had told, the children of Israel were judged severely for turning away from him and worshiping idols. Time and time again, he had warned them by prophets, but they rejected him. Now, the time or reckoning had come. It was more than they could have imagined. Yet, God was and is not finished with them. Those same prophets who warned of judgment, also told of a return to Israel. They told that God loved his people but was punishing them; not throwing them away.
God gives us these stories in the Bible to teach us by example. Just like the children of Israel, we too face judgment for sin. Just like with the children of Israel, it will come. However, just like with the children of Israel, God honors those who serve him. Just as Josiah was spared from God's wrath and judgment, so will those who have trusted in Christ as their Savior.
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
I Thessalonians 5:9-10
The question we must ask ourselves is this, when Christ returns, will be be serving God faithfully (like Josiah) or not (like all the kings after him)? I would add that all of these kings were religious. Do not think that religion will keep you in God's good graces. It goes beyond religion to a relationship.
Jesus said:
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?
23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.
Matthew 7:21-23
As yourself, "Where will I be if Jesus comes back?" If you don't know, that is a good indication your relationship is not right. Call upon the name of Jesus and receive him as your Savior today!
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.
Romans 10:9-11
Comments