Pharaoh Neco's warning & Romans 13:1 link?
How does Pharaoh Neco's warning relate to Romans 13:1 about authority?

Setting the Scene

Josiah, Judah’s reforming king, marched to block Pharaoh Neco’s army at Megiddo. Neco warned him:

“‘What is the issue between you and me, O king of Judah? I am not coming against you today, but against the house with which I am at war, and God has told me to hurry. So stop opposing God, who is with me, or He will destroy you.’ ” (2 Chronicles 35:21)

Josiah ignored the warning, was mortally wounded, and died (vv. 22-24).


God’s Voice through an Unexpected Ruler

• Neco, though a pagan, credited his mission to “God.”

• Scripture treats that claim as genuine; the narrator never rebukes it.

• By confronting Neco, Josiah unwittingly opposed a divinely sanctioned campaign.


Romans 13:1 in Focus

“Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been appointed by God.” (Romans 13:1)


How the Two Passages Interlock

• Authority’s Source

– Romans: All civil power is “appointed by God.”

– Chronicles: God worked even through Egypt’s king.

• Submission’s Safeguard

– Romans: Resistance to God-ordained authority risks judgment (v. 2).

– Chronicles: Josiah’s resistance cost him his life.

• God’s Sovereignty over Nations

Daniel 4:17 confirms God “gives [kingdoms] to whom He wishes.”

– Pharaoh Neco’s temporary dominance served God’s broader plan (Jeremiah 46:25-26).


Key Takeaways

• Pagan rulers can still be instruments in God’s hand (Isaiah 45:1).

• Testing a leader’s claim—by Scripture and prophetic witness—is vital, yet humility is required when evidence points to God’s involvement.

• Ignoring divine warnings, even when delivered through unlikely mouths, invites discipline (Proverbs 21:30).


Living It Out

• Respect governing authorities, recognizing God’s sovereignty behind them (1 Peter 2:13-14).

• Discern God’s direction with Scripture and wise counsel before opposing civil power.

• Remember that zeal, however sincere, must stay aligned with God’s unfolding purposes—Josiah’s tragedy reminds us that holy intentions do not override divine order.

What can we learn from Josiah's response to Pharaoh Neco's message?
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