JOSIAH CELEBRATES THE PASSOVER

PROCLAMATION

“And there was no Passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet, neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a Passover as Josiah kept, and the priests, and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel that were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem.”  2 Chronicles 35:18 (KJV)

EXPLANATION

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written as one book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  After King Josiah read to the elders of Judah and Jerusalem the words of the book of the covenant that was found in the house of The Lord and made a covenant with God to keep His commandments, (2 Chronicles 34:30-33) he kept the Passover to The Lord in Jerusalem.  He celebrated the Passover in a grand fashion according to the writings of David and Solomon.  He gave flocks of bulls, lambs, and goats totaling thirty-three thousand animals. (2 Chronicles 35:1-7)  His officials also gave willing and generously and all of the burnt offerings were prepared on the same day according to the book written by Moses.  The people of Judah and Israel who were present kept the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days. There had not been a Passover service like this since the days of Samuel, and none of the kings of Israel or Judah did so in this manner after Josiah. (2 Chronicles 35:8-18)  After the Passover, Necho king of Egypt went to fight against Carchemish by the Euphrates and Josiah went out to go against him.  Necho sent ambassadors to him saying, you are the king of Judah, I have not come to go against you. He said God had commanded him to go against these people.  Cease opposing God, who is with me, least He destroy you. (2 Chronicles 35:19-21)  Nevertheless Josiah would not turn away, he disguised himself and fought against him.  During the battle Josiah was wounded by an archer.  He told his servants to take him to Jerusalem where he died.  All of Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah. (2 Chronicles 35:22-27)

APPLICATION

Josiah followed The Word of God and kept his commandments.  His mistake was that he interfered with and fought against another man who was doing what God had told him to do. Being a believer does not give us the right to pray against, interfere with, or fight against another believer.  We are to “stay in our lane” and do what The Good Lord has called us to do and not worry or fret about what some other believer or sinner is doing.  We are to pray for one another (James 5:16) “… for the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”