How does Josiah's injury in 2 Chronicles 35:23 demonstrate God's sovereignty over leaders? Setting the Scene “ ‘The archers shot King Josiah, and the king said to his servants, “Take me away, for I am badly wounded.” ’ ” (2 Chronicles 35:23) Josiah, a reforming king who “did what was right in the eyes of the LORD” (2 Chron 34:2), falls in battle against Pharaoh Necho. The sudden, fatal arrow feels jarring, yet Scripture presents it as part of God’s unbroken rule over rulers. Immediate Lessons from the Wound • Divine authority is unhindered by earthly rank. – Even the most faithful king cannot bypass God’s ultimate timetable (Job 14:5). • God directs every arrow’s flight. – “The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD” (Proverbs 16:33). – Josiah’s injury illustrates that no military detail or human plan can overturn God’s decree (Isaiah 46:10). • National destiny rests in God, not the throne. – Judah’s revival under Josiah was genuine, yet the nation’s coming judgment (2 Kings 23:26–27) would still unfold according to prophetic word. • Faithfulness does not exempt leaders from suffering. – Like Stephen’s martyrdom (Acts 7:59–60) or James’s execution (Acts 12:2), Josiah’s death shows God may glorify Himself through a servant’s apparent setback. Tracing God’s Sovereign Thread Through Other Kings • Pharaoh and Moses (Exodus 9:16) – God raised Pharaoh “to display My power in you.” • Saul and David (1 Samuel 16:1) – God removes one king and appoints another at will. • Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:35) – “He does as He pleases… no one can restrain His hand.” • Herod Agrippa (Acts 12:23) – Struck down immediately when he accepted worship. In each case, God writes history, while leaders—righteous or wicked—serve His larger redemptive plan. Personal Takeaways for Today • Pray for leaders, knowing God alone sustains or removes them (1 Timothy 2:1–2). • Anchor hope in the King of kings, not in human reformers (Psalm 146:3–10). • Recognize that obedience is required, results are God’s domain (1 Corinthians 3:7). • Rest in the certainty that every event—expected or sudden—serves God’s inviolable purposes (Romans 8:28). |
    |