We Need Josiahs

As has been the case for the majority of the Kings of Israel spoken of in I and II Kings, the Kings mentioned in the second book were mostly evil with the exceptions of Hezekiah and Josiah. Of all the kings that the Bible says did good in the sight of the Lord, there was no compromise in Josiah. Other kings may have repented and turned back to the Lord or encouraged the kingdom to turn to the Lord, but they all left the high places for which other worship was allowed. This form of syncretism in which compromise or allowances for the way other people believed or wanted to worship was not found in Josiah. When he heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes and personally made a covenant with the Lord “to walk after the Lord, and to keep his commandments…with all his heart and all his soul.” He also enjoined all the people to enter into this covenant as well. But Josiah did not stop there. He removed all the abominations of high places, Asherim, male cult prostitutes, and sacred pillars that were displeasing to the Lord, anything that would cause Israel to sin, including the evil priests. He reinstituted the observance of the Passover and required the people to observe it as well. This was total repentance that did not allow for compromise in the King’s personal life and in his rule. The Bible says,

“and before him there was no king like him who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him.” (II Kings 23:25)

We need Josiah’s in our nation’s leadership today. Men who will not allow compromise in their integrity and service to the LORD, and for that matter, our country. Men like Lt. Col. Lakin, who has been willing to stand against the tyranny of evil we are seeing in the White House and Congress.  Men who will call the nation to repent, tear down the abominations which the LORD hates, and bring people back into fellowship with their God. I pray that the LORD will pour out His grace and mercy upon this land and grant repentance in the hearts of the people!