Christmas Genealogy – Josiah

Christ being the reason for the Christmas season, let us take time to celebrate the forefathers and foremothers of Jesus, mentioned in the first chapter of Matthew. One of them is a king whose birth, name and life, has been predicted before three centuries!  He is Josiah about whom was prophesied during the reign of a wicked-ever king Jeroboam, in the history of Israel (1 Kings 13:1-5).  While we can learn a lot from King Josiah, I have attempted a few of them here.

This Child Will Surely Live!

“Josiah is the most astonishing instance that is contained in Scripture of goodness springing up, and attaining high perfection under the most extraordinarily unfavorable circumstances” (Pulpit Commentary, Vol 5, 440).  Josiah’s grand-father was the infamous Manasseh (2 Kings 21:1-16) who was responsible for an increased immorality and idolatry in the nation.  Josiah’s father was Amon who continued the evil practices of Manasseh (v.19-23).  The life of Josiah in this evil lineage explains the argument we see in Ezekiel 18:19 (NLT) where God says, 'Doesn't the child pay for the parent's sins?' No! For if the child does what is just and right and keeps my decrees, that child will surely live. Josiah is one such!

Josiah became a king when he was 8 year old.  When he was 16 years old, he began to demonstrate a genuine commitment to God (2 Chronicles 34:3a). At 20, he began a purge of idolatry in Judah (34:3b). When he was 26 years old, Josiah launched an aggressive reformation by which true worship to Yahweh was restored (v.8). The Temple was repaired. Like Jesus cleaning the temple with a whip much later in timeline, King Josiah cleaned the then Jerusalem Temple that had been defiled. He reformed the community from all evils. The Book of the Law that was not sought for over a century was found out and the covenant with God was renewed (read 2 Chronicles 34 & 35).

If Not Parents, Then Who?

What was the reason that Josiah could reverse his sinful ancestral stigma? There were people who influenced Josiah for good like Hilkiah, the priest, Shaphan, the scribe and Huldah, the prophetess. They took a prominent role in the life of the young King. The encouraging lesson here is that one can be raised in the worst possible environment but choose to follow God and also be a reviving and reforming tool in His hands! Josiah responded to the positive influencers in his life.

Justice, Our Life Style

There is a mention of Josiah in the book of Jeremiah, his contemporary. Jeremiah writes that  King Josiah was a man of word and deed. The good Lord gave a beautiful testimony of him saying, Josiah gave justice and help to the poor and needy, and everything went well for him (Jeremiah 22:16). This was in the context, of the Lord chiding Josiah's son, Jehoiakim who was no way like his dad. The Bible mentions several things about how things can go well for us. Being just, and helpful is one expectation of God, for all who love his word. This is a season when we can venture into a lot of activities with regard to helping the poor and the needy like how Josiah did. But this should become a life style for us, all through the year and all through our lives. Micah echoes the same principle: O people, the LORD has told you what is good, and this is what he requires of you: to do what is right, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God (Micah 6:8).

Happy Advent! Advance Christmas Wishes!!