THE SON WAS NOT LIKE THE FATHER

PROCLAMATION

“And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to The Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.”  2 Kings 23:25 (KJV)

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although some Bible scholars attribute this book to the prophet Jeremiah.  After hearing what “Thus saith The Lord” from the prophetess Huldah, King Josiah gathered together all of the elders of Judah, and all of the priests and prophets, and all of the people of Judah and read the book of the covenant to them. (2 Kings 23:1-2)  Then he commanded the priests to take everything related to Baal out of the temple and burn them.  He put down all of the priest who had burned incense unto Baal and he broke down all of the high places where they offered their sacrifices.  He burned the grove and broke down the houses of the sodomites.  He got rid of everything that was associated with idol worship. (2 Kings 23:3-15)  He even took the bones out of the sepulchers of those who had worshiped Baal.  However, he did not disturb the bones of the prophet who came out of Samaria.  He slew all of the priests of Baal and then burned their bones. (2 Kings 23:16-20)  Josiah reinstituted the keeping of the Passover in Jerusalem.  He performed the words of the law as it was written in the book which was found in the house of The Lord.  There was no king before him who was like him, and neither was there any after him that was like him. (2 King 23:21-25)  However, none of this changed God’s mind regarding the punishment He had in store for Judah and Israel.  King Josiah went to war against Pharaoh-nechoh king of Egypt and was killed.  The people carried his body back to Jerusalem in a chariot and buried him.  His son Jehoahaz was anointed king of Judah.  He did that which was evil in the sight of The Lord.  He only reigned for three months before the king of Egypt put him in chains and made his brother Eliakim the king.  The king of Egypt changed Eliakim’s name to Jehoiakim, and as king of Judah he gave silver and gold to Pharaoh. (2 Kings 23:26-35)

APPLICATION

Some of the time boys grow up to be just like their fathers, with the same career and the same behavior.  There is an old saying, “Like father, like son.”  However, that was not the case here.  Josiah was not like his father Amon who did evil, and Jehoahaz was not like his father Josiah who did that which was good.  If we are going to copy or imitate someone, we should choose someone who is a believer and follows The Lord.  Better yet, we should pattern our life after Jesus, The Christ, and not after any man. (Psalm 118:8)  For only in The Lord should we trust.