24 This is what the Lord says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people—all the curses written in the book that has been read in the presence of the king of Judah.
It seems unfair that God’s wrath is seemingly poured out on people because of the actions of others. There are times when it seems that God’s wrath is unleashed even when people repent. It is never too late to repent and receive God’s forgiveness but in His sovereign judgment, there are times when the consequence of sin are not held back. Try to think of it from God’s perspective. If He withheld judgment every time a person, or a small group of people, interceded and expressed repentance, than the fear of His wrath would wane and He would seem like a toothless tiger. The heart’s of people would become increasingly hard and the ability to repent would dwindle. This would be the cruelty on God’s part. If there were no consequences, would anyone truly seek God?
Josiah was a godly man and a godly leader even though he was the son and grandson of an ungodly father and an ungodly grandfather. He corrected the mistakes of these two men and when he found the book of Law and had it read, he led his nation to a greater level of repentance. He sought the advice of the prophet Huldah and we see the words of her prophecy in the passage above. In spite of all the good that Josiah did, the consequence would not be withheld. Judgment was coming.
Josiah was not perfect. He went up against the king of Egypt even though God told him, through that king, not to. He died in a battle he should not have joined and was taken into God’s presence. This was an act of mercy and further fulfilled the words of the prophet Huldah that he would be taken to his ancestors and not have to witness the judgement of God on his people.
After his death there were a series of successors, most of whom did evil in the eyes of the LORD. Ultimately, the kingdom of Israel was taken into captivity by the Persians and this began a period of exile for the nation of Israel.
Somewhere, in every lineage, there are ungodly men and women. The consequence for their actions impact their children and other descendants. This can be seen with the gambler who loses money needed to feed, clothe and house his family. It can be seen with the cycle of domestic violence that follows one generation to another. The children of incarcerated parents may have to go from one foster home to another.
Yet God remains merciful. He allows the consequence of sin to be felt by the righteous and the unrighteous alike. He shows that He is both merciful and just and calls all to repentance and to accept the free gift of salvation that leads to eternal life. Even if our homes, our neighborhoods, our countries crumble around us because of the consequence of sin, He provides us as individuals and as groups of followers to experience His grace, His peace, and ultimately eternity in His presence in paradise.
Josiah was spared experiencing the wrath of God visited on the nation of Israel. He was taken into heaven before the wrath was poured out. This can only bring comfort as we remain eternally focused and avoid getting bogged down in the vagaries of living in our fallen world.
