2 Chronicles 35:1-27 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is 2 Chronicles 35:1-27. Let’s go!
On verses 1-19: King Josiah leads his nation of Judah in celebrating the Feast of the Passover, a time when God’s people remembered the way that He saved them and delivered them from certain death through the sacrifice of a Passover lamb. King Josiah provides 30,000 lambs and young goats as the people’s Passover offerings, along with 3,000 cattle, all from the king’s own flocks and herds (v7). The celebration is done as prescribed in the Book of Moses (v12). Never had there been such a Passover celebration since the time that Samuel led as judge over Israel (v18).
What can we learn from this? Centuries later another king would make a costly sacrifice on Passover weekend. But rather than sacrificing lambs, goats and cattle of his own, this king would make a far greater sacrifice: Jesus would become the Passover lamb and sacrifice himself on the cross to take away our sins and to save us from certain death.
On verses 20-27: King Neco of Egypt is getting ready to fight another nation, but King Josiah musters his army to confront King Neco. King Neco warns King Josiah that God has told King Neco to hurry and that Josiah should best get out of the way lest he get hurt. But King Josiah refuses to listen. He disguises himself in battle and is fatally wounded. He dies in Jerusalem and all of Judah and Jerusalem mourns for him. Even the prophet Jeremiah writes songs in honour of Josiah that choirs would still for generations afterward.
What can we learn from this?
- Pick your battles wisely. Don’t get involved unnecessarily in quarrels and fights that don’t involve you. You may end up getting hurt badly and unnecessarily in the process.
- Perhaps Josiah thought, “King Neco, who are you to tell me what God is saying? You’re not a follower of the Lord.” Yet verse 22 says that indeed God was speaking to Josiah through King Neco. As Pastor Jon Courson wisely points out, sometimes God uses unexpected people to speak to us. Jesus the Son of God preached to his hometown, but the people thought, “This isn’t God talking. This is just the carpenter’s son.” After Jesus resurrected, he appears and speaks to Mary, but Mary thinks she’s just talking to the gardener. Another time Jesus is walking and talking on the road to Emmaus with two other men, but they don’t realize it’s Jesus. When you get someone claiming that they have a word from God, before dismissing it outright, use the four tests we teach in Thrive Discipleship School Level 2 to know whether what you are hearing is truly from God or not:
- Is it consistent with Scripture?
- Does it promote the character of Christ in my life?
- Is it accompanied by peace?
- Is it affirmed by my spiritual leaders (people I look up to in the faith)?
- Honour your God-given leaders. They are not perfect, but God uses them to lead you to Jesus.
Lord Jesus, thank You for being the King who became my Passover lamb. Thank You for sacrificing Yourself to take away my sins and to save me from certain death. May I be a wise steward of this life You have given me. May I pick my battles wisely and may I be careful to discern Your voice when making important decisions. Thank You for the leaders You place in my life to lead me to You. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
