The Way
Death at Megiddo
The sudden end of the most faithful king
Story
Passover songs rang through Jerusalem. Josiah gave the command: “Keep the Passover to the Lord your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.” No Passover like it had been kept since the days of the judges. Josiah got rid of all the mediums, the fortune-tellers and the idols. No king before him or after him turned to the Lord with all his heart and all his strength as Josiah did.
Even so, the Lord did not turn away from the fierce anger that had been kindled by the sins of Josiah's grandfather Manasseh. The Lord said, “I will remove Judah from my presence as I removed Israel. I will reject Jerusalem, this city I chose, and this temple, where I said my name would be.”
At that time Neco king of Egypt was marching up to the Euphrates River to help the king of Assyria. When Josiah went out to Megiddo to block his way, Neco sent messengers to warn Josiah that God had told Neco to hurry, so Josiah should not stand in his way. But Josiah would not listen; he went out to fight in disguise, and the arrows of the Egyptian archers badly wounded him. His officials moved the king to another chariot and brought him to Jerusalem, but Josiah died there, and all Judah and Jeremiah mourned for him. The people anointed Josiah's son Jehoahaz and made him king.
Walk this scene on the map →Words of God and the Prophets
I will remove Judah from my presence as I removed Israel. I will reject Jerusalem, this city I chose, and this temple, where I said my name would be.
Neither before Josiah nor after him was there a king who turned to the Lord as he did, with all his heart, all his soul and all his strength, according to the whole law of Moses.
Keep the Passover to the Lord your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.
God has told me to hurry. Stop opposing God, who is with me, and stand aside, or he will destroy you.
The sayings are fresh renderings of the original meaning in today's language. Text: 2 Kgs 23:21–30
Background
Megiddo was a fortress guarding the pass where the coastal road enters the Valley of Jezreel. Neco was on his way to help Assyria against Babylon, and 2 Chronicles 35 says that Josiah fought in disguise and was struck by arrows.
Pause and Reflect
Do I ever rush ahead, trusting only my own judgment without asking God's will?