Why would Josiah ignore Necho’s explicit warning in 2 Chronicles 35:21 if it was truly from God?

Historical Background and Context

Josiah’s reign took place during a pivotal era of shifting powers in the Ancient Near East. Egypt, having been overshadowed by Assyria in previous generations, began to assert itself once more. Pharaoh Necho II (also known as Neco) spearheaded campaigns to challenge Assyrian and Babylonian supremacy. Around this time, Josiah had diligently carried out reforms in Judah, purging pagan practices (2 Chronicles 34:3–7) and restoring the temple and its worship (2 Chronicles 34:8–33).

In 2 Chronicles 35:20–21, Pharaoh Necho was marching north to engage with enemies that were threatening Egypt’s position. Necho sent messengers to Josiah, stating, “What business is there 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. For God has told me to hurry. So stop opposing God, who is with me, or He will destroy you!”

The Specific Passage: 2 Chronicles 35:21

This admonition—“For God has told me to hurry”—suggests that Necho believed he was acting in accord with divine instruction. The Chronicler’s account also implies that the message truly originated from God (2 Chronicles 35:22). This raises a striking question: Why would a pious king, renowned for his obedience in instituting spiritual and practical reforms, disregard a warning purportedly from the same God he served?

Possible Motivations and Explanations

1. Uncertainty About the Source

Josiah may have doubted that God would speak through a pagan ruler. Historically, Israel and Judah had been warned about foreign kings worshiping other deities (e.g., Isaiah 36:18–20). It could have seemed inconceivable that the true God would deliver instructions to His covenant king through an Egyptian leader who ostensibly followed other gods.

2. National Duty and Political Pressure

Despite Josiah’s faithful track record, he might have felt duty-bound to protect Judah’s territory or prevent any foreign army from crossing areas near his domain. Patriotic or defensive zeal might have motivated him, possibly overshadowing any possibility that the message could be God’s voice.

3. Confidence in Past Divine Favor

Josiah had witnessed God’s favor in his life and reign—cleansing the land of idolatry and reinstating the Passover (2 Chronicles 35:1–19). This history might have fostered overconfidence. He could have reasoned that God, who had supported him so consistently, would surely grant victory over an invading force, even if that force claimed divine sanction.

4. Lack of Confirmation Through Prophetic Means

Scripture often highlights God’s use of Hebrew prophets to guide Israel’s and Judah’s kings (2 Chronicles 34:22–28). Josiah might have expected a word from a recognized prophet and thus dismissed Necho’s warning as lacking proper divine accreditation.

God’s Use of Unexpected Messengers

Biblical narratives repeatedly show that God can (and does) speak through those outside of Israel or Judah. For instance, in Numbers 22:28, God spoke through Balaam’s donkey. Similarly, in Jonah 3, God displayed mercy to Nineveh, a pagan city. These examples underscore the consistent message that the true God is not constrained by human expectations and may use unexpected conduits to carry His word.

Pharaoh Necho’s message and God’s sovereignty in using him to accomplish a particular plan echo this scriptural motif. Ignoring a legitimate divine word, even if it came from a source that seemed unlikely, carried real consequences—consequences that would soon manifest in Josiah’s fatal battle at Megiddo (2 Chronicles 35:22–24).

Immediate Consequences

Josiah disregarded Necho’s counsel, disguised himself in battle, and was mortally wounded. Scripture conveys the solemnity of his actions in 2 Chronicles 35:22: “Josiah would not turn away from him, but disguised himself to fight against him. He did not listen to Necho’s words from the mouth of God.” This indicates that the Chronicler viewed Necho’s warning as genuinely originating from the Lord. Josiah’s death, lamented by the prophet Jeremiah (2 Chronicles 35:25), stands as a sorrowful conclusion to an otherwise exemplary reign.

Integration with Broader Scriptural Themes

1. Submission to God’s Will

Throughout Scripture, humility and submission to God’s often surprising directives bring blessing and deliverance (James 4:6–7). On the other hand, stubbornness or presumption, however well-intentioned, can lead to downfall (Proverbs 16:18).

2. Sobering Divine Justice

While Josiah had been faithful, Scripture is clear that all are accountable to God’s directives, irrespective of a person’s track record (Ezekiel 18:24). Josiah’s end underscores that ignoring a true word from God, even once, can bring serious repercussions.

3. God’s Sovereign Choice of Medium

The account supports the biblical principle that God’s providential workings transcend national, ethnic, or religious boundaries. Whether through prophets, foreign rulers, or nature itself (Luke 19:40), God ensures His purposes are known.

Practical Lessons and Applications

1. Discernment and Humility

Regardless of prior spiritual success, believers must remain open to God’s voice, even when it appears in unexpected places. This requires earnest discernment and genuine humility.

2. Avoiding Presumption

Josiah reminds readers that assuming one’s own wisdom or relying solely on past divine favor can be perilous. Each decision requires seeking confirmation through Scripture, prayer, and godly counsel.

3. Respecting God’s Sovereignty

God will accomplish His redemptive plan through whomever He wills (Daniel 4:34–35). A healthy reverence for God’s omnipotence keeps the believer attentive to any and every warning He might give.

Conclusion

Josiah’s decision to ignore Pharaoh Necho’s warning poses a compelling case study in Scripture. Though he had brought great spiritual renewal to Judah, his tragic end reminds readers that disobedience—even when fueled by noble motives or national concern—carries weighty consequences. This scene highlights the truth that God can speak through unexpected messengers, and failing to heed a legitimate word from the Lord results in loss and sorrow.

By understanding these events within their historical context, acknowledging Josephus’ record of the era (Antiquities of the Jews, Book X) and other historical references that confirm Egypt’s military campaigns, and reflecting on Scripture’s repeated lessons of humility, one gains deeper insight into why Josiah ignored a warning “from the mouth of God” (2 Chronicles 35:22). It is a sobering illustration of the importance of seeking God’s guidance, discerning His voice carefully, and walking in obedience to His eternal Word.