What lessons can we learn from Josiah's actions in 2 Kings 23:17? Setting the Scene—2 Kings 23:17 “Then he said, ‘What is this monument that I see?’ And the men of the city answered, ‘It is the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and proclaimed these things that you have done against the altar of Bethel.’” Honor for God’s Proven Word • Josiah pauses his demolition of idolatrous sites to inquire about the tomb—showing respect for the man whose prophecy (1 Kings 13:1-2) had just been fulfilled before his eyes. • Lesson: When God’s word is verified, it deserves public acknowledgment and personal reverence. Compare Isaiah 55:10-11; Matthew 5:18. • Application: Celebrate fulfilled Scripture and let it bolster confidence that every remaining promise will come to pass. Discernment Between True and False Worship • Josiah destroys pagan altars (2 Kings 23:15) yet spares the grave of a true prophet. • Lesson: Zeal must be guided by discernment—remove what dishonors God while preserving what honors Him. See Jude 3-4. • Application: Evaluate traditions, media, and practices; retain only what aligns with God’s revealed truth. Humility Before God’s Servants • A king listens to unnamed locals who know the site’s history. • Lesson: Title or status does not exempt anyone from learning; God can use ordinary voices to remind leaders of His word (Proverbs 11:14). • Application: Seek counsel from Scripture-informed believers regardless of rank or education. Zeal Balanced With Reverence • Josiah’s sweeping reforms (2 Kings 23:4-20) demonstrate passionate obedience, yet his pause at the tomb reveals reverence and restraint. • Lesson: Righteous zeal is not reckless; it submits to God’s past acts and future plans (Romans 10:2-3). • Application: Act decisively against sin but remain sensitive to the Spirit’s checks and confirmations. The Reliability of Prophecy • What the man of God foretold three centuries earlier (1 Kings 13:2) happens exactly in Josiah’s day. • Lesson: God’s timeline may extend beyond our lifetime, but His word never returns void (2 Peter 3:8-9). • Application: Trust prophetic Scripture concerning Christ’s return (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17); live in readiness. Personal Takeaways • Treat every portion of Scripture—including fulfilled prophecies—as living truth for today. • Combine courage to confront sin with humility to honor God’s faithful witnesses. • Let confirmed promises fuel hope in the promises yet to be fulfilled. |
    |