Wehn Society Abandons Godly Ways - 2 Kings 22:1-20; 23:2-3, 4, 24, 26-27 - August 26, 2007

Sunday School Lesson – When Society Abandons Godly Ways – August 22, 2007.

This is our final lesson in our series of study.

Our background scripture is 2 Kings 22:1-23:30.

Our focus scripture is 2 Kings 22:1-20; 23:2-3, 4, 24, 26-27.

Leadership of any country is vital. In our lesson today we see a young king, Josiah, trying to correct a serious spiritual problem in his country. Josiah’s great-grandfather, Hezekiah, was one of Judah’s best kings. However, his son Manasseh was one of the worst kings. Manasseh rebuilt the high places of pagan worship. He worshipped the sun, moon and stars. He practiced child sacrifice. He allowed the practice of the occult. He built pagan alters in the temple. He ruled for fifty-five (55) years. As a result the people of Judah had fallen into the worship of pagan gods.

Then his son Amon became king and he continued to follow in the foot-steps of his father. Amon only ruled for two (2) years. Then Amon’s son Josiah became king at the age of eight (8) years old. One of our grandson’s will be eight (8) in February 2008.

Let’s see how he ruled his country. Notice that Josiah’s mother, Jedidah (jih DIGH duh), is mentioned. It could be that his mother was very influential in his life.

2 Kings 22:1-20:

1 Josiah was eight years old when he became king; he reigned 31 years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah; [she was]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. from Bozkath. 2 He did what was right in the Lord’s sight and walked in all the ways of his ancestor David; he did not turn to the right or the left.[1] 2 Ch 34:1–2
We see that Josiah is compared to King David. Scholars believe that since his mother is mentioned she may have been the primary one to shape his life spiritually. His dad followed in his father’s foot-steps, however Josiah did not. Godly parents are vital in any child’s life. In this case it seems to be his mother.

Josiah Repairs the Temple
3 In the eighteenth year of King Josiah, the king sent the court secretary Shaphan (SHAY fan) son of Azaliah, son of Meshullam, to the Lord’s temple, saying, 4 “Go up to Hilkiah (hil KIGH uh) the high priest so that he may total up the money brought into the Lord’s temple—[the money]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. the doorkeepers have collected from the people. 5 It is to be put into the hands of those doing the work—those who oversee the Lord’s temple. They [in turn]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. are to give it to the workmen in the Lord’s temple to repair the damage.

King Josiah is twenty-six (26) years old. He sends Shaphan (SHAY fan) to the temple to pay those who are restoring the temple. Money had been collected from the people and this money will be used to pay the workers.

This is important and sets a principle followed today. We as members of a congregation contribute to the building, upkeep and repair of our place of worship.

The Book of the Law Found
8 Hilkiah the high priest told Shaphan the court secretary, “I have found the book of the law in the Lord’s temple,”[3] Dt 31:24–26 and he gave the book to Shaphan, who read it.

Hilkiah (hil KIGH uh), the high priest, shows Shaphan the book of law or a scroll they found during the restoration of the temple. It had been lost. Shapan reads the scroll. He finds it very interesting and shares it with the king.

In this case the scroll had been physically lost but we can loose the scripture today through neglect, compromised preaching and teaching, trying to interpret GOD’S Word according to what society wants and the list goes on. It is critical that we read, study and meditate on GOD’S Word and teach it to our children so it will not be lost.

10 Then Shaphan the court secretary told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book,” and Shaphan read it in the presence of the king.[5] Dt 17:18–20 11 When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes. 12 Then he commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Achbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the court secretary, and the king’s servant Asaiah: 13 “Go and inquire of the Lord for me, the people, and all Judah about the instruction in this book that has been found. For great is the Lord’s wrath that is kindled against us because our ancestors have not obeyed the words of this book in order to do everything written about us.”[6]

Shapan reads the scroll to King Josiah. The king has an immediate reaction. He knows that the words recorded are very serious and are the words of GOD and fit his situation to a tee.

Scholars are not sure what book or scroll was found in the temple. Speculation is that it was Deuteronomy. The Book of Deuteronomy was written by Moses and we find these words written in Deuteronomy 31: 16-21:

16 The Lord said to Moses, “You are about to rest (die) with your fathers, and this people will soon commit adultery (spiritual adultery) with the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will abandon Me and break the covenant I have made with them. 17 My anger will burn against them on that day; I will abandon them and hide My face from them so that they will become easy prey.[13] Lit will be for devouring Many troubles and afflictions will come to them. On that day they will say, ‘Haven’t these troubles come to us because our God is no longer with us?’ 18 I will certainly hide My face on that day because of all the evil they have done by turning to other gods. 19 Therefore write down this song[14] Dt 32 for yourselves and teach it to the Israelites; have them recite it,[15] Lit Israelites; put it in their mouths so that this song may be a witness for Me against the Israelites. 20 When I bring them into the land I swore to [give]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. their fathers, [a land]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. flowing with milk and honey, they will eat their fill and prosper.[16] Lit be fat They will turn to other gods and worship them, despising Me and breaking My covenant. 21 And when many troubles and afflictions come to them, this song will testify against them, because[17] Lit because the mouths of their descendants will not have forgotten it. For I know what they are prone to do,[18] Or know the plans they are devising even before I bring them into the land I swore [to give them]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. .” 22 So Moses wrote down this song on that day and taught it to the Israelites.

When King Josiah heard these words he immediately knew GOD was talking about his country. Josiah wants to know if anyone else knew of the existence of this scroll. He knew they had not obeyed the instructions of the scroll.

When you recognize that you have made a mistake, what do you do? You check it out and if it is a mistake, then you try to straighten it out.

Huldah’s Prophesy of Judgment
14 So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to the prophetess Huldah, wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, son of Harhas,[7] 2 Ch 34:22 reads Hasrah keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem in the Second District. They spoke with her. 15 She said to them, “This is what the Lord God of Israel says, ‘Say to the man who sent you to Me: 16 This is what the Lord says: I am about to bring disaster on this place and on its inhabitants, [fulfilling]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read, 17 because they have abandoned Me and burned incense to other gods in order to provoke Me with all the work of their hands. My wrath will be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched.[8] Dt 29:22–28 18 Say this to the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the Lord: This is what the Lord God of Israel says: As for the words that you heard, 19 because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse,[9] Dt 28:15 and because you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I Myself have heard you—declares the Lord. 20 Therefore, I will indeed gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster that I am bringing on this place.’”[10] 1 Kg 21:29; 2 Ch 12:5–7; 32:26 Then they reported[11] Lit returned a word to the king.[12] 2 Ch 34:22–28

WOW!!! When you are the leader and you see what needs to be done, it is good when you respond. GOD was ready to bring destruction to Judah while Josiah was king. No leader wants to be known as the leader when his country was destroyed. Josiah repented for not following the covenant as recorded in the scroll and his heart was changed. His response pleased GOD. GOD knew Josiah’s heart and HE knew that Josiah was a man of action. Josiah would lead the people to see the error of their way.

GOD spoke this through Huldah, a woman prophet. How about that for 600 BC? GOD calls all people to serve HIM.

Let’s read 2 Kings 23:1-3:
Covenant Renewal
1 So the king sent [messengers]* The bracketed text has been added for clarity. , and they gathered to him all the elders of Jerusalem and Judah. 2 Then the king went to the Lord’s temple with all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, as well as the priests and the prophets—all the people from the youngest to the oldest. As they listened, he read all the words of the book of the covenant that had been found in the Lord’s temple. 3 Next, the king stood by the pillar[1] 2 Ch 34:31 reads platform and made a covenant in the presence of the Lord to follow the Lord and to keep His commandments, His decrees, and His statutes with all his mind and with all his heart,[2] Dt 6:4–6 and to carry out the words of this covenant that were written in this book; all the people agreed to[3] Lit people took a stand in the covenant.[4] Ex 24:3–8; Jos 24:14–28; 2 Ch 34:29–32

The king himself takes the leadership role and calls all the people to the temple. He reads the scroll to them. The king stands at his appointed place in the temple and he dedicated himself to the LORD. He vows to follow the LORD and to be obedient to the LORD.

It does not appear that he forced anyone to make the same commitment but the people responded on their own.

GOD did not demand anything from Josiah or the people. But GOD knew Josiah’s heart and he knew the action he would take. Josiah and his people had just had a close call with disaster.

Let’s read 2 Kings 23: 4:
Josiah’s Reforms
4 Then the king commanded Hilkiah the high priest and the priests of the second rank and the doorkeepers to bring out of the Lord’s temple all the articles made for • Baal, • Asherah, and the whole heavenly • host. He burned them outside Jerusalem in the fields of the Kidron and carried their ashes to Bethel.

King Josiah cleaned house. He meant business. He had his men to throw everything out of the temple that was connected with the worship of false gods, including the sun, moon and stars (heavenly host). He had them burned and carried the ashes to Bethel, where these false gods had also been worshipped. These acts defiled the items of worship and sent a clear message to all who had been worshipping these false gods that such worship would not be tolerated any longer. This also showed that the false gods were powerless to prevent what was happening. The true GOD of Israel is the only GOD.

Let’s read 2 Kings 23: 24-27:

24 In addition, Josiah removed the mediums, the spiritists,[26] 2 Kg 21:6; Lv 19:31 household idols, images, and all the detestable things that were seen in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem. He did this in order to carry out the words of the law that were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the Lord’s temple. 25 Before him there was no king like him who turned to the Lord with all his mind and with all his heart and with all his strength[27] 2 Kg 23:3; Dt 6:4–9 according to all the law of Moses, and no one like him arose after him.[28] 2 Kg 18:5; 1 Kg 3:12 26 In spite of all that, the Lord did not turn from the fierceness of His great wrath and anger, which burned against Judah because of all the provocations Manasseh had provoked Him with.[29] 2 Kg 21:11–13 27 For the Lord had said, “I will also remove Judah from My sight just as I have removed Israel. I will reject this city Jerusalem, that I have chosen, and the temple about which I said, ‘My name will be there.’ ”[30] 2 Kg 21:4; Dt 12:11; 1 Kg 9:3

King Josiah goes a step further by removing those who promoted such worship of these false gods. He further had any representation of these false gods removed from Judah, Jerusalem and even the personal households. Josiah was serious about what needed to be done. But were the hearts of the people changed? Likely some of the peoples hearts were changed but force can change one to act a certain way outwardly but not inwardly.

As a result of Josiah’s action GOD delays the pending destruction of Judah and Jerusalem for about fifty (50) years after Josiah’s death. But GOD did not change HIS mind or HIS plan even though Josiah and his people worshipped HIM. Repentance and dedication delayed the inevitable. I think it is because the hearts of the people remained unchanged.

In 2008 Americans will be electing those who will lead our country for the next 2-4-6 years. It is vital that we elect those who will be obedient to our LORD. Our future depends upon it.

To summarize our four (4) week study, relate the circumstances in each lesson as circumstances in the life of a Christian. The activity of GOD, whether in the lives of people, a country or both, in the Old Testament allows us to visibly see the interaction of GOD in the lives of Christians. We all are the king, queen or military commander of our own lives. GOD never overrides our right to choose. We all have natures that guide us toward certain decisions both good and not so good or often just plain bad. In the Bible we get to see how these decisions impact a person, persons or a country.

We began our series of study with King Solomon. He began his reign seeking the help and guidance of GOD. He allowed his flesh to rule his life. He collected things and wives. He allowed his wives to bring their gods to Israel. He compromised his dedication to GOD. He was a wise man and near the close of his life he discovered that all he had achieved meant nothing except his relationship with GOD. We too can being our journey with our LORD with good intensions but compromise our relationship with HIM. Even though we fall away from HIM, HE never leaves us. If we think GOD is not as close to us as HE once has been, guess who moved?

Our next lesson was Elijah, a prophet of GOD and his encounter with the pagan gods, their priests and a king that had compromised by marrying a pagan woman. The compromise of the king led to the spiritual compromise of his country. GOD demonstrated to all that HE is the True GOD of Israel. Even though Elijah saw and was part of the hand of GOD at work, when his life was threatened, he fled. He felt like he had failed and seemingly thought GOD was not concerned with him as an individual. GOD revealed Himself to Elijah and touched his life by speaking to his heart in a small whisper. Even though Elijah had fled, GOD was not through with him. In fact we know that Elijah was on the Mount of Transfiguration with JESUS, along with Moses. GOD had a plan for Elijah even thought Elijah though he was through with him. Never give up on GOD. You are HIS child, CHRIST died just for you. HE never gives up on you.

Last Sunday we studied Naaman. Naaman is coming from a pagan society seeking a cure for his skin disease in a country that worshipped GOD. A young Jewish girl who had been taken captive told Naaman’s wife about the prophet Elisha. Naaman travels to meet with Elisha only to discover that he would not meet with him personally but sent his servant out to him with a message. The servant told him that he was to wash or dip in the Jordan River seven (7) times and he would be cured. Naaman’s first reaction was one of rage. This did not make sense to him. He could wash in the clean rivers in his country of Syria. The Jordan River was muddy. His servants urge Naaman to do as Elisha had instructed him. What did he have to loose?

So Naaman dips seven (7) times in the muddy Jordan River. When he came up out of the river on the seventh time, two (2) miracles occurred (1) He was healed physically (2) He was healed spiritually. His physical healing opened his eyes to the fact that the GOD of Israel was genuine. Naaman renounced his old gods and embraced the GOD of Israel. A pagan encountered GOD. And all who witnessed the miracle also saw the hand and power of GOD working. This even included the king of Israel and his subjects. GOD uses many ways to reveal Himself to those who seek HIM.

This Sunday we studied Josiah who came from Godly society years earlier that had turned pagan. Josiah’s great grandfather was a Godly king but his father and grandfather allowed paganism to replace the worship of GOD. When the book of law was read to him he immediately realized that his country had missed the mark in being obedient to the true GOD. He repented and led his country to repent. As a result GOD delayed the sure destruction of Judah and Jerusalem for about fifty (50) years after his death. Those coming from families who have not honored GOD once they see the truth can be used mightily by GOD.

What does this mean to us today?

In the Old Testament GOD was in the temple. Since CHRIST gave HIS life on the cross to pay the penalty for the sin of mankind, was resurrected from the dead, revealed Himself to over five hundred (500) people on earth, ascended into heaven to sit at the right hand of the FATHER and sent the HOLY SPIRIT back to earth, GOD indwells every believer.

What goes on within each believer is between GOD and the believer. However the action of GOD in the lives of various people in the Bible gives us a clue about how GOD works in the lives of HIS children.

We are the king or queen of our body or country. We have various natures within us because of our life before CHRIST and heredity. The extent we commit our lives to CHRIST and allow HIM to guide us will be reflected in the rule of GOD in our lives. GOD never takes away our right to choose. We decide who rules our country. The ruler can be our flesh or GOD or some hybrid. We see from the study of the Old Testament where our lives will head if we allow the flesh or some hybrid rule our lives. The only way to please GOD is for us to allow HIM to rule, guide and control our lives.

It is impossible for us to live a committed life to GOD in our own strength. The only way to live a committed life to GOD is by having the right relationship with HIM. It is not us trying every way we can to please GOD but it is us getting to know GOD. To really get to know HIM and understand HIM, we must spend time with GOD through HIS Word, talk to HIM through prayer and obey HIM. As we develop the right relationship with HIM, HE will reveal to us HIS plan and HIS work. During the process of developing the relationship with HIM, HE prepares us for the work HE has in mind for us. At the appropriate time, HE will give us an opportunity to join HIM in HIS work. When we have the proper relationship with HIM, we are at the center of HIS will.