A tale of two kings

Last updated on: October 14, 2015 at 6:40 am by Gerald McDermott

A tale of two kings 2015-10-14T06:40:08-04:00 Gerald McDermott

LOGO Patheos Explore the world's faith through different perspectives on religion and spirituality! Patheos has the views of the prevalent religions and spiritualities of the world.

They are not only two kings but a father and son–Josiah (ca 648-609 BCE) and Jehoiakim (609–598 BCE).

They could not have been more different.

Josiah rent his clothes when he heard the words of the book of the Law (2 Ki 22.11), but his son Jehoiakim rent the book/scroll itself (Jer 36.24). The father trembled at the Word of God, while the Son expressed only contempt. The father showed godly fear, but the son showed no fear. He cut up the Word as he heard it, and threw it bit by bit into a fire.

What an illustration of the two ways to hear the Word of God! The one responded in fear and obedience, the other in arrogance and derision.

Significantly, these different ways of listening to the Word resulted in two drastically different ways of life. The father was noted for humility and piety, the son for opulence and “shedding innocent blood” (Jer 22.17). The father defended “the cause of the poor and needy,” the son practiced “oppression and violence” (vv 16-17).

God blessed the father with prosperity and the prediction of dying in peace (despite a death in battle; 2 Kg 22.20; 2 Chron 35.22-23), while the son was bound in fetters by Nebuchadnezzar. The phrase “the fourth year of King Jehoiakim” became a code word for danger, judgment, and destruction (her 25.1; 36.1; 45.1; 46.2).

The father listened to the Word and realized his nation was headed for destruction without repentance; his son listened to the same Word and presumed that all would be well, despite the prophets’ forecast of doom. The father was proved right and the son wrong. The results for the nation were disastrous. Eventually Judah was reduced to rubble, the Temple destroyed, thousands murdered, and thousands more deported into captivity.

One wonders about the state of our land. We have shed innocent blood for many decades in millions of abortions. Now our elites have changed marriage in ways that defy reason and tradition, and will hurt the poor and needy (by depriving their children) more than anyone else. Because of recent policies established by our leaders, whom we elected, America’s political interests are threatened all over the world. It is possible that saboteurs have slipped across our borders to wreak havoc from within.

Scripture suggests that a people’s leaders are either a blessing or a judgment upon that people. Are we now experiencing judgment for our sins?

If so, we cannot blame others. Like Daniel, who suffered exile along with thousands of his countrymen, we must confess America’s sins as our own: “We have sinned and done wrong . . . we have not listened to your servants the prophets . . . righteousness is on your side, O Lord, but open shame falls on us” (Dan 9.5-7).

Uncategorized

Previous Post

October 13, 2015

The best description I have seen in a long time of today's Israeli-Palestinian conflict

Next Post

October 15, 2015 An exciting new discovery by archaeologists--ancient Sodom!

Browse Our Archives

Select a Category Uncategorized

Select a Month March 2023 November 2022 October 2022 August 2022 July 2022 June 2022 May 2022 April 2022 November 2021 October 2021 August 2021 July 2021 June 2021 May 2021 April 2021 March 2021 February 2021 January 2021 December 2020 November 2020 October 2020 September 2020 July 2020 June 2020 April 2020 March 2020 February 2020 January 2020 August 2019 July 2019 May 2019 April 2019 February 2019 January 2019 December 2018 November 2018 October 2018 August 2018 July 2018 June 2018 May 2018 April 2018 March 2018 February 2018 January 2018 December 2017 November 2017 October 2017 September 2017 August 2017 July 2017 June 2017 May 2017 April 2017 March 2017 February 2017 January 2017 December 2016 November 2016 October 2016 September 2016 August 2016 July 2016 June 2016 May 2016 April 2016 March 2016 February 2016 January 2016 December 2015 November 2015 October 2015 September 2015 August 2015 July 2015 June 2015 May 2015 April 2015 March 2015 February 2015 January 2015 December 2014 November 2014 October 2014 September 2014 August 2014 July 2014 June 2014 May 2014 April 2014 March 2014 February 2014 January 2014 December 2013 November 2013 October 2013 September 2013 August 2013 July 2013 June 2013 May 2013 April 2013 March 2013 February 2013 January 2013 December 2012 November 2012 October 2012 September 2012 August 2012 July 2012 June 2012 May 2012 April 2012 March 2012 February 2012 January 2012 December 2011 November 2011 October 2011 September 2011 August 2011 July 2011 June 2011 May 2011 April 2011 March 2011 February 2011 January 2011 December 2010 November 2010 October 2010

TAKE THE

Religious Wisdom Quiz