I love the books of Kings and Chronicles; you always know where you stand when you hear about a king of either Judah or Israel in those books. Whenever a new king is introduced we are always told whether the king did “right in the sight of Yehovah” or “evil in the sight of Yehovah.” But the best part is that if they did right in Yehovah’s sight, we always hear next what they did that was right. And if they did evil in Yehovah’s sight those deeds are enumerated as well.
I am so grateful that Israel, unlike all the nations of the earth, does not pervert their history to make themselves look better than they are. Here are two principles we must never forget:
- The victors generally get to write the history as they want it to be remembered.
Israel never looks very good in their history. They were unfaithful to Yehovah’s ways over and over; they continually followed the ways of the Gentiles that were all around them. They made covenants with those nation and served their elohim (their law-makers and judges); which, according to the first commandment, we ought not to do. We are to have no other Elohim (Law-maker and Judge) but Yehovah; a law-maker gives “statutes” and a judge gives “judgments.” Yehovah’s people follow only His statutes and judgments.
- If we will not learn from history we are bound to repeat the same mistakes; this is the second principle.
The fact that Yehovah’s people, Israel, did not polish the history that is recorded concerning all their ebbs and flows in their service to Yehovah enables us to learn from our own mistakes. The sixty-four thousand dollar question to us however is; “Will we learn from our mistakes or go on repeating them by continuing to slam our heads against an immovable object. That is exactly what we do! We inflict injury on ourselves by refusing to learn from our past mistakes.
Josiah Did What Was Right In The Sight Of Yehovah
Without a doubt, my favorite king is King Josiah of Judah. Let’s read a few things that are written about this wonderful king who began his rule at age 8 and ruled Judah for 31 years:
Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. … And he did what was right in the sight of Yehovah, and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. (2Ki 22:1-2)
Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to Yehovah with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him. (2Ki 23:25)
We can say we love Yehovah with all our heart, with all our soul and with all our might, but if we will not do it according to all the law of Moses, they are just empty words. Yeshua quoting Yehovah’s words given to us through Isaiah said:
This people honors Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. Howbeit in vain do they worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. For laying aside the commandment of Yehovah, you hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups [the keeping of Seder]: and many other such like things you do. And he said unto them, full well you reject the commandments of Yehovah, that you may keep your own tradition. (Mar 7:6-9)
When Josiah was only 26 years old the book of the Law of Yehovah was found while the temple was being cleaned.
Now when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of Yehovah, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of Yehovah given by Moses. Then Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of Yehovah.” (2Ch 34:14-15)
In 2002 I also found the book of the Law of Yehovah and my life has never been the same since. Josiah also was profoundly moved to repentance when he read what was written in the book of the Law of Yehovah.
Thus it happened, when the king heard (shema, “hear and obey”) the words of the Law, that he tore his clothes. Then the king commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Abdon the son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king, saying, “Go, inquire of Yehovah for me, and for those who are left in Israel and Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found; for great is the wrath of Yehovah that is poured out on us, because our fathers have not kept the word of Yehovah, to do according to all that is written in this book.” (2Ch 34:19-21)
This dear king at only 26 years repented and then had the best Passover since the time of Samuel; a better Passover than all the Kings of Judah and Israel! He did right in the sight of Yehovah!
Such a Passover surely had never been held since the days of the judges who judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah. (2Ki 23:22)
And what were the instructions Josiah gave to the men of Israel that made this Passover the best one ever? I noticed them as I was teaching one of my “Born Again” classes just the other day. How had I for so long missed these fine words from such a wise man in the sight of Yehovah?
Josiah commanded all the people, saying, “Keep the Passover to Yehovah your Elohim, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.” (2Ki 23:22)
How are you going to keep your next Passover? Are your plans written in the Book of the Covenant? Will you learn from history or continue to follow the traditions of men?
I will do what is right in the sight of Yehovah and I pray that you will also!