Read 2 Chronicles 35:1-19
King Josiah has discovered an ancient business plan that he can put in place, seamlessly employing his whole kingdom in a God-honoring way. Josiah can be “behind the scenes” and throw an amazing celebration of historic proportions.
Celebrating Passover was also found in the Chronicler’s account of King Hezekiah’s rule. He, too, celebrated Passover in a big way, but in this passage, the Chronicler makes it seem like Josiah paved the way as the first king to celebrate Passover like that. Why do you think there is a difference?
What comes to me is that the Passover is a religious tradition for the Israelites/Jewish culture. The Chronicler was very deliberate in having more of a priestly/worship angle to the stories. Could he have simply given credit to both kings because either one or both of them did, in fact, celebrate Passover in a memorable way? No matter, Josiah’s heart is certainly in the right place.
Even when we stumble at times, God can see our heart and knows our intentions. We can’t hide our faults or attempts to be someone we’re not. When our focus is on God and following his will for our lives, that’s behavior that pleases God. Our actions will never be enough to “save” us. That’s why we need Jesus. Some people don’t get it. It’s a lot to take in at first. But the simplicity of the gospel is probably the hardest part to wrap our minds around.
Josiah didn’t have access to the new covenant ushered in by Jesus Christ. Yet, Josiah was drawn to God and wanted to have a relationship. When the scrolls of the law had been found, it opened up a whole new world and way of leading. No more time spent “recreating the wheel” of how worship and sacrifice should work. Now they had all they needed to know how much there was.
God’s law seemed impossible to follow so people just stopped following it all together. When you stop doing something long enough, a new habit or way of life is formed. I remember missing church for years because I had one excuse or another not to go, like a work conflict. After many years of that, it can be hard to go back from the guilt. But oh so how sweet it is to return!
God likes to work behind the scenes of our lives. We can’t always see him or recognize that he’s there, but then something happens to just surprise you. We can’t see the spirit world, but I’m sure glad that my King Jesus is standing to fight for me.
Let’s pray. Thank you for understanding that we would need you, and that we would sometimes stray. Forgive me for time I missed spending with you because I was too busy or focused on the wrong things. I am so glad to now be able to read your Word and sense your presence every moment. I look forward to how you are going to move in my life next. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
