Making a Differencewith Pastor Phil Erickson

May 7th, 2010 Mind Your Own Business

Today’s Reading – 2 Kings 23 – 24 

In chapter 23 of today’s passage we see the death of Josiah.  Surprisingly, Josiah did not die of natural causes; he was slain in battle.  Now the question I have is this:why would God allow a good and godly king like Josiah to be slain in battle.  Bad kings were often killed due to the judgment of God; but not good kings.  What happened?  The answer is not clear in this passage; but when we compare it with a parallel passage in 2 Chronicles 35, God tells us why. 

After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Necho king of Egypt came up to fight against Carchemish by Euphrates: and Josiah went out against him. But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who iswith me, that he destroy thee not. Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.

Here we see that Josiah involved himself in something that was none of his business; and as a result, he was slain.  God never commanded Josiah to get involved in a battle between Egypt and Babylon.  Interestingly, Josiah was helping Babylon; and Babylon is the nation that later would destroy Jerusalem.  Josiah might not have realized it; but he was actually fighting against God’s will.  

When I look back at my life, I can see that many of the times that I got myself in trouble was when I interfered in things that did not pertain to me.  I should have minded my own business.  Let me encourage you, don’t meddle with things that do not belong to you.  Stay within the area God has given you; and make sure before you intervene in other people’s affairs, that you clearly have the direction of God.