TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
In the Bible, in the twenty-second and twenty-third chapters of 2 Kings we read about a character commonly known as “Good King Josiah.” He is universally hailed as one of the greatest kings in the history of Israel and Judah. He was faithful to the Lord, restored worship, exalted God’s word, and rid the land of idolatry and immorality. In all his accomplishments, however, he may have failed in one of the most important tasks…being a good father and leaving a righteous legacy. Alas, Josiah’s son Jehoahaz who succeeded him as king was not so righteous. He did evil in the sight of the Lord and for that he was dethroned, and the nation of Judah suffered. So, in all of your great accomplishments, don’t neglect instilling in your family the heritage of godliness.
(2 Kings 23:30-34) 30 Josiah’s servants brought his body in a chariot from Megiddo to Jerusalem and buried him in his own tomb. And the people of the land took Jehoahaz son of Josiah and anointed him and made him king in place of his father. 31 Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem three months. His mother’s name was Hamutal daughter of Jeremiah; she was from Libnah. 32 He did evil in the eyes of the Lord, just as his predecessors had done.
33 Pharaoh Necho put him in chains at Riblah in the land of Hamath so that he might not reign in Jerusalem, and he imposed on Judah a levy of a hundred talents of silver and a talent[d] of gold. 34 Pharaoh Necho made Eliakim son of Josiah king in place of his father Josiah and changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim. But he took Jehoahaz and carried him off to Egypt, and there he died.
Comentários