Articles
Opposite Reactions/Opposite Outcomes
“Like father, like son,” we say. “Just a chip off the old block!” Josiah, however, did not follow in the footsteps of his wicked father Amon. It’s a good thing. Josiah was one of the few truly good kings of Judah. While yet a teen, “he began to seek after the God of David, his father…” (2 Chron. 34:3 NASB).
Sometime later the book of the law was found in the temple and read in his presence. When he heard its words, Josiah realized how far Judah had fallen short of obeying God’s word. He wept and tore his clothes. When God saw how Josiah humbled himself, He was pleased (34:27).
Josiah then led his people in a covenant of obedience to the word of God. Josiah’s life is summarized in this tribute: “…he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD” (34:2).
But Josiah’s son Jehoiakim “did evil in the sight of the LORD, his God” (36:5). One day God’s words through the prophet Jeremiah were read in Jehoiakim’s hearing. Was his response like that of his father? Quite the opposite! He cut the scroll into pieces and burned it in the fire. He and those in his court “were not afraid, nor tore their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants that heard all these words” (Jer. 36:24).
Is it any wonder that God honored Josiah for his humble response to His law, but brought Jehoiakim to a horrible end because of brazen disdain for God’s words?
We have far too many Jehoiakims in our land today, and far too few Josiahs.
With Josiah at one end of the spectrum, and Jehoiakim at the other, where do we stand?
