2 Chronicles 35:20-23
Josiah Killed in Battle
After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Neco king of Egypt went up to fight at Carchemish on the Euphrates, and Josiah went out to meet him. But he sent envoys to him, saying, “What have we to do with each other, king of Judah? I am not coming against you this day, but against the house with which I am at war. And God has commanded me to hurry. Cease opposing God, who is with me, lest he destroy you.” Nevertheless, Josiah did not turn away from him, but disguised himself in order to fight with him. He did not listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God, but came to fight in the plain of Megiddo. And the archers shot King Josiah. And the king said to his servants, “Take me away, for I am badly wounded.”
Tag: Pride Goes Before the Fall
Josiah was a good king. In the accounts before this passage we read all the things Josiah did to restore the nation of Judah to follow her God. He established the Temple worship and he destroyed the false places of worship. He read the book of the Law before all the people and pledge to follow it. Yet, we have the above passage. Right when things were going right, Josiah’s pride was lifted up. Although it was God who had restored the land, through the obedience of King Josiah, the King thought it was HIS doing and HIS great work that made it all happen. Instead of simply giving Glory to God and asking for God’s direction, Josiah goes off to war to show his greatness. Instead, he is wounded in battle and dies. Josiah’s pride put him into a place to be hurt. Instead of inquiring of God, Josiah allowed his pride to make his decisions. When we get older and have more success, we have to be careful that we don’t allow our pride to compromise our previous walk with God.
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