Sometimes good isn't good enough. Josiah's grandfather Manasseh was so evil that he corrupted the entire kingdom of Judah and even Josiah's godly ways would not compensate for the fifty-five years of degradation, debauchery and idol worship under Manasseh. In spite of Josiah's contrite heart, God's plans were already underway to send Judah the way of the rest of Israel, however, God made a promise to honor Josiah's faithfulness.
Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people, that they would become accursed and laid waste, and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the LORD. Therefore I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place.’” - 2 Kings 22:19-20 NIV
Josiah's goodness was not enough to stave off God's actions nor was it enough to change the hearts of his sons. All three of his sons, who reigned as kings for relatively short periods of time, were as wicked as their great-grandfather, Manasseh. They all chose to to evil in the eyes of the Lord and the final result was that God banished Judah just as he had Israel. Once more a humiliating turn of events took place, orchestrated by God's hand.
To Everything (Turn, Turn, Turn)
There is a season (Turn, Turn, Turn)
And a time to every purpose, under Heaven
A time of love, a time of hate
A time of war, a time of peace
A time you may embrace, a time to refrain from embracing
A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time for love, a time for hate
A time for peace, I swear it's not too late -
Adapted from Ecclesiastes
2010 Post - 2 Kings 20-25: Josiah
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