THIS IS NOT YOUR DEATH.

After Josiah had finished restoring the Temple, King Neco of Egypt led his army up from Egypt to do battle at Carchemish on the Euphrates River, and Josiah and his army marched out to fight him. But King Neco sent messengers to Josiah with this message: "What do you want with me, king of Judah? I have no quarrel with you today! I am on my way to fight another nation, and God has told me to hurry! Do not interfere with God, who is with me, or he will destroy you." But Josiah refused to listen to Neco, to whom God had indeed spoken, and he would not turn back. Instead, he disguised himself and led his army into battle on the plain of Megiddo. But the enemy archers hit King Josiah with their arrows and wounded him. He cried out to his men, "Take me from the battle, for I am badly wounded!" So they lifted Josiah out of his chariot and placed him in another chariot. Then they brought him back to Jerusalem, where he died. He was buried there in the royal cemetery. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him. 2 Chronicles 35:20-24

It was hard to believe that God had spoken to Pharaoh Neco. It is hard to believe that God could speak through him. The genealogies of the kings of Egypt were mostly rebellious and enemies of God and His people.

Josiah was a king appointed by God. He submitted to God and obeyed all His commandments. On this particular occasion of confrontation with Neco, the king of Egypt, he had no business whatsoever with him. But Josiah became so familiar with God that he undermined the counsel of Neco. He thought that God couldn't instruct and speak through the enemy. He was so confident that Egyptians and their kings were used to magic and sorcery. Wisdom, insight, and godly counsel were the exclusive right of the Israelites, or so he thought.

Unfortunately, Josiah was wrong. God had actually spoken to Neco. The war at Carchemish and its eventual victory were at God's instant. But Josiah found himself fighting against the counsel of God, whom he had served all his life. He believed that God was far away from speaking to and relating with an "unbelieving" king of Egypt.

God would not spare the ignorance and audacity of Josiah. He died in a battle he had no business with. He died a death not ordained for him, not at the appointed season.

Not only did Josiah die, but his obstinate heart and deaf ears brought untold hardship to his children and the entire people of Jerusalem and Judah. After his death, Neco took the next turn against his nation and opened the gates for more enemies to plunder the people of Jerusalem and Judah.

First, Neco deposed Jehoahaz, Josiah's son, after he had reigned for 3 months and made him pay heavy tributes to the treasury of Egypt.

Second, he appointed Eliakim, Josiah's brother, as king and changed his name to Jehoiakim and took him as a prisoner to Egypt. And he only reigned for eleven years.

Third, King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon came and deposed Jehoiakim, bound him in chains, and took all the treasuries of the Temple of God.

Fourth, Jehoiachin, Josiah's son, was made king and reigned only for 3 months and 10 days before he was deposed and taken to Babylon.

Fifth, Zedekiah, Jehoiachin's uncle, was made king and only reigned for 11 years. Although he had access to the prophecy from Jeremiah, he was a hard and stubborn man.

After the death of Josiah, the throne of the kingdom of Jerusalem and Judah became relatively transient and a puppet in the hands of foreign kings, who God had given victories over them at one time or another.

Remember also that Haman was given the same counsel by his wife and wise advisers. But he was more concerned about food than his life: "When Haman told his wife, Zeresh, and all his friends what had happened, his wise advisers and his wife said, 'Since Mordecai - this man who has humiliated you - is of Jewish birth, you will never succeed in your plans against him. It will be fatal to continue opposing him.'" (Esther 6:13) Death was the only lesson Haman could learn from this. The death of his entire heritage.

What lesson do we glean from Josiah's obstinacy?

- Don't undermine the counsel of a perceived sinner, especially when they engage in discussion with the Almighty God.

- Don't be too familiar with God that you despise the counsel of others. Learn to seek clarity through prayer.

- Don't engage in battles that are not assigned to you, especially battles that only bring financial and positional profits without spiritual significance.

- Don't settle only on your spiritual assessment. Test your evaluation with the counsel of others, especially the fathers in faith.

I have been saved a lot from the counsels of unbelieving individuals. They softly said, "Revd, leave it for God." Although sometimes it took several years and seasons, God fought for me (and sometimes my family) and we held our peace. What a joy to witness the end of the wicked and see them trapped by the bait they set for me!

My prayer this month is that none of us will be buried in our pride.

Welcome to your great season.

Peter Abdul-Razaq, OLAYINKA

A serving missionary with Living Grace Christian Missions, Ilara.

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Email: peterrazaq@yahoo.com

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