Manasseh and Josiah
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aside to the right hand or to the left.”
2 Kings 22:2
. Born of a wicked
king, beset with temptations to follow in his father’s steps, and with
few counselors to encourage him in the right way, Josiah nevertheless
was true to the God of Israel. Warned by the errors of past generations,
he chose to do right, instead of descending to the low level of sin and
degradation to which his father and his grandfather had fallen. He
“turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.” As one who was to
occupy a position of trust, he resolved to obey the instruction that had
been given for the guidance of Israel’s rulers, and his obedience made
it possible for God to use him as a vessel unto honor.
At the time Josiah began to rule, and for many years before, the
truehearted in Judah were questioning whether God’s promises to
ancient Israel could ever be fulfilled. From a human point of view
the divine purpose for the chosen nation seemed almost impossible
of accomplishment. The apostasy of former centuries had gathered
strength with the passing years; ten of the tribes had been scattered
among the heathen; only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin remained,
and even these now seemed on the verge of moral and national ruin.
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The prophets had begun to foretell the utter destruction of their fair
city, where stood the temple built by Solomon, and where all their
earthly hopes of national greatness had centered. Could it be that
God was about to turn aside from His avowed purpose of bringing
deliverance to those who should put their trust in Him? In the face of
the long-continued persecution of the righteous, and of the apparent
prosperity of the wicked, could those who had remained true to God
hope for better days?
These anxious questionings were voiced by the prophet Habakkuk.
Viewing the situation of the faithful in his day, he expressed the burden
of his heart in the inquiry: “O Lord, how long shall I cry, and Thou wilt
not hear! even cry out unto Thee of violence, and Thou wilt not save!
Why dost Thou show me iniquity, and cause me to behold grievance?
for spoiling and violence are before me: and there are that raise up
strife and contention. Therefore the law is slacked, and judgment
doth never go forth: for the wicked doth compass about the righteous;
therefore wrong judgment proceedeth.”
Habakkuk 1:2-4
.
God answered the cry of His loyal children. Through His chosen
mouthpiece He revealed His determination to bring chastisement upon
the nation that had turned from Him to serve the gods of the heathen.