I was reading this morning about King Josiah, the grandson of Manasseh. His grandfather had been king for fifty years and was an altogether apostate and wicked man. Manasseh’s son Amon followed in his steps and reigned for only two years. Then came this young man Josiah who took the throne at age eight. And this young man was altogether different from his grandfather and father. My question is - what made this young man so different? Some of the good young kings had the advantage of a godly priest that inserted great leadership into their lives but we have no evidence of this with Josiah. What we do have is this verse from 2 Chronicles:
2 Chronicles 34:3
For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.
At age sixteen he set his sights on knowing and pleasing God and as a result became one of the greater kings that Judah ever enjoyed. I wonder where this urge to seek and please God came from. As I read the first chapter of Romans it seems to be that God places this stimulus in the heart of every man, but that many choose not to respond affirmatively to it.
Romans 1:18-21
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.
Josiah was a man of blessing and integrity because he responded affirmatively to what the Scriptures tells us that every man knows. Have you accepted this common knowledge of God and sought him with faith and integrity?
