Showing posts with label Lord. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Lord. Show all posts

Monday, October 19, 2015

God Often Speaks In Silence by Wayne Sutton

God Often Speaks In Silence by Wayne Sutton

Identity Network
The life of a prophet is one with many visions, deep impressions of the soul, and often 'silence.'
Why does "one who hears" find silence from the Lord?  I believe that silence itself is one powerful way that our Father communicates with his children.
A silence, a soft wind, a hush among the noise...How do you hear God?
As one of my children may ask me a question, I do not always verbally answer. My answer may be a look that corrects or affirms their question or actions.  My silence is not a place of rejection or distance from my children - instead it's an act of pure love.
Silence Will Demand Wisdom
Often when we receive an instant answer for every question we ask, we tend to lose our own identity and assurance in our ability to make decisions.  I love when my children ask me questions, yet I also desire to see them mature into a child that will learn to allow wisdom to grow within their life and be displayed in areas where decisions are required. Silence is communication.
Silence Will Create Attention
"Are you listening to me... hello....?"
When we speak and 'feel" like we have not been heard (even though God always hears), it refocuses us and directs our attention back to the Lord.  Many times we will begin a fast or spend time in worship and prayer. Silence often aligns our heart back into the spirit realm we are created to live and thrive in! Silence is communication.
Silence is Only for a Season
Knock and it will be opened for you.  A knock is a call - the reply comes from the one that has the power to open the door. Silence is for a season, and if you are not hearing God in this season, or about a certain situation, then trust that God is still hearing you.  Trust that the spirit of wisdom comes upon us and we live from that reality even when we do not "hear" a clear voice from God.  Silence is communication.
Seek Counsel in Times of Silence
A few years ago a great friend of our ministry came to me and asked to me to seek the Lord for her about a situation in her life.  I diligently prayed and sought the Lord on her behalf. 
Yet, I heard nothing from the Lord. 
This was very unusual, and so I prayed and sought the Lord yet again, and yet again.  Several days later in our next meeting I apologetically explained that although I minister prophetically almost every day, in her case I had heard nothing.  "Amen!" she shouted...then she admitted that she had asked God for my silence as a prophet - so that SHE could be sure that even the silence was from God. We both learned the importance of silence in that season. Silence is communication.
God always hears his children and God speaks in many different ways - even through prophetic silence.  Always seek and trust the Lord in your life!
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you." Matthew 7:7
Wayne Sutton




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Tuesday, September 29, 2015

A Prophetic Word - Dr. Maurice H. Sklar - Monday, September 28, 2015 Jerusalem, Israel - 2:05am

Maurice Sklar

A Prophetic Word:
The LORD says, "War is coming against Israel! Just as I have clearly spoken in My Word, and just as I have confirmed through my holy servants the true Prophets, I will hold it back no longer. You say to Me, "What do all of these signs converging together this month mean?" Many of My church are in fear, thinking only of doomsday and despair. Some leaders are trying to tell fortunes and predict days and times, thinking that I must do what they say when they predict it.

Some are making millions of dollars by merchandising and sensationalizing these events to the point it is idolatry and distraction instead of sound prophetic ministry. I (the LORD) am far greater than your false prognosticators and charlatans. Do not follow after those deceivers - you must judge them and their ministries by their fruits and take everything you hear and judge it according to My Word.
To My beloved Bride: Look and see the signs in the heavens and upon the earth. Notice them, but don't focus on them! Keep your eyes on Me! I am the LORD, not the sun, moon, or stars. I am greater than any event that has or will come to shake the heavens and the earth.

Many of My people are crying out to Me in prayer for clarity and guidance right now. So, I will answer you... I will explain to you a little bit of what is shortly to come to pass....So your heart will not be troubled...
I am announcing to the world through these four red moons these things:
1. The Times of the Gentiles are coming to an end. The end of Adam's dominion time-lease upon earth is nearly over. The time of Jacobs' Trouble: the Tribulation period is about to begin. BUT HE (JACOB) SHALL BE SAVED OUT OF IT. It is in this time that I will sovereignly cause all the Jews to return to their home, Eretz Israel. I will shake them out like a tablecloth that a lady would take outdoors and shake all the crumbs out of it by flapping it into the wind.

But not one crumb will perish. All shall be returned. Many of my people are hidden in the nations that have descended from the 10 lost tribes. They are not "lost" to Me. I KNOW THEM ALL. They shall return, along with all the descendants of Judah and Levi. No man knows who or where they are, but I DO. The time has come when the rest of the family will come home to the land I promised them.
2. Satan knows that his time is short. War is coming to the Middle East. It will bring every nation into it before it is all over. Israel is my mousetrap, and Jerusalem is the cheese. Israel is also my anvil on which I will judge the nations. Prepare your hearts, for peace will be taken from the earth.

For 70 years I gave the Western nations peace and prosperity after World War 2. That was because of what the United States did along with the Allied forces by defeating Nazi Germany and rescuing My people Israel from extermination, and then paving the way for Israel to be reborn as a nation in 1948.
3. Yesterday's moon signals the beginning of the final restoration of Israel. No matter how hard the enemy attacks, he will be destroyed before Me. For I am standing UP now as the LORD of Hosts to fight for her. And when this is over, all her enemies will be dust under her feet. It will be bloody. It will be painful. It will be with great losses both to Israel and her enemies.

But, for each Israeli Jewish person, their enemies will pay with 1,000 of their souls when they try to attack her. Beware! You CANNOT and WILL not succeed as Israel's enemy.
4. The outcome in the coming battles and wars against Israel, I will restore more and more of the land to her that I promised to Abraham. Until finally, all that I promised will be theirs forever when I return to establish My Kingdom and rule from the throne of David in Jerusalem forever.
5. I am coming for My Bride, My faithful children who are waiting for Me in this Midnight Hour. But you say, "I have heard that for so long. And, oh, another prophet coming with the Rapture message. I am tired of hearing it. After all, I have heard it my whole life. So, is this yet another "boy crying wolf" prophecy?! I have been disappointed too many times."

But, Beloved, if I stretch out time to allow more souls to come to Me, and so I can bring more Bridal lamps to their full oil and light, does this offend you?! If it does, you are only thinking of yourself and not others that I have long patience for until all have come in. Then, the Shofar will sound! Do not lose your Blessed Hope for I am at the doors RIGHT NOW! Watch and Pray! Do not let disappointment and bitterness quench out your Hope. Remember, I CANNOT LIE! I AM COMING FOR YOU, MY DEARLY BELOVED BRIDE!
6. Do not get caught up in conspiracies and Internet social media nonsense. Think to yourself, 'is this filling me with hope or fear?' If your response to it is fear, then it is not what I am saying to you. The world will indeed experience the worst seven years of judgments and My Wrath. But, I have not appointed you to that, but to obtain eternal joy in My heavenly Kingdom, as it is written:
Luke 21:36
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.
And...
Revelation 22:20-21
20 He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
21 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.
God bless you from Jerusalem, Dear Ones!
Dr. Maurice H. Sklar

Monday, September 28, 2015
Jerusalem, Israel - 2:05am

Maurice Sklar
Jerusalem

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Israel Photo Trivia ✡ "Behold, Days are Coming" - ISRAEL365

Behold, days are coming - the word of the Lord, God - when I will send hunger into the Land; not a hunger for bread nor a thirst for water, but to hear the word of God.

AMOS (8:11)

הִנֵּה יָמִים בָּאִים נְאֻם אֲ-דֹנָי יְ-הוִה וְהִשְׁלַחְתִּי רָעָב בָּאָרֶץ לֹא רָעָב לַלֶּחֶם וְלֹא צָמָא לַמַּיִם כִּי אִם לִשְׁמֹעַ אֵת דִּבְרֵי יְ-הוָה

עָמוֹס ח:יא

khi-nay ya-meem ba-eem n'-um a-do-nai e-lo-heem b'-hish-lakh-tee ra-av ba-a-retz lo ra-av la-le-khem b'-lo tza-ma la-mai-yim kee im li-sh'-mo-a ayt div-ray a-do-nai

Today's Israel Inspiration

While one can say that today's generation has more material belongings than any other in history, we see a lack of contentment, a hunger for more spiritual fulfillment. This incredible rise in spiritual longing, where the soul thirsts for connection, makes true the words of today's verse - we feel "not a hunger for bread nor a thirst for water, but to hear the word of God." Into this arena steps author Roy Neuberger, whose new book brings an awareness of what the days of the Messiah will be like, and how we can spiritually prepare ourselves for those holy days. You won't be able to put this book down!

Israel's Solutions for a Thirsty Planet

Israel's innovative spirit has produced some of the world's greenest innovations. See how countries around the world are benefitting from Israeli know-how and water technology.

A Vision of the End

Can you imagine yourself caught up in an apocalyptic drama? In Roy Neuberger’s compulsively readable novel 2020 Vision, on an ordinary summer day, July 5, 2020, in a matter of moments, the world ceases to function normally.

Pure Natural Honey from Israel (250gr)

Every autumn at the celebration of the Jewish New Year, or Rosh Hashana, we express our hope that the new year will be “sweet” by dipping apples in dishes of honey. This year celebrate Rosh Hashana with delicious, 100% pure natural honey from Israel, the land of milk and honey!

Israel Photo Trivia

Do you know where today's fabulous photo by Boruch Len was taken? Send me an email or post your answer onFacebook!

Thank You

Today's Scenes and Inspiration is sponsored by Linda Keeling. Toda raba!

“I Am Learning So Much”

It’s great to hear from so many of you - stay in touch and let us know where in the world you are enjoying Israel365!

To all at Israel365 may G-d bless you all, and your families.. Thank you with all my heart for the ebook Eicha of Lamentations. I can't even begin to express my gratitude.... The words and the photos humbles my heart and makes me want to cry out to G-d for Israel.... Thank you for all of your emails. I am learning so very much... Since I've followed you in email and on FB I have seen G-d's hand moving across Israel and the world helping His people.... He would never abandon His own. Thank you for helping me grow in G-d's word and truth.. Love you to the heavens and back...- Margaret

Shalom Aleichem Rabbi Tuly, I live in Coral Springs Florida. I want to say thank you for the daily Manna.... Shalom, Immanuel
Shalom,
Rabbi Tuly Weisz
RabbiTuly@Israel365.com
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Saturday, August 22, 2015

I'm Getting Souls - Bill Yount




Posted: 21 Aug 2015 
 
In a vision a young man saw the Lord pick up the earth and He began to shake it up and down in His hands. The young man asked the Lord, "What are you doing?" The Lord said, "I'm getting souls! I'm getting souls!"

I sense such a great shaking coming that it will fill most churches. People will line up outside waiting to get in. This shaking alone will cause multitudes of children and grandchildren, who have been prayed for many years, to run like prodigals to Jesus. This shaking alone will do it.

It will be the answer to many prayers for lost loved ones and a great harvest to take place in the earth. As the shaking increases, remember what God is doing: "I'm getting souls!"

Bill Yount

Wednesday, August 19, 2015

America needs a Josiah - Joel Rosenberg

America needs a Josiah. (Why an ancient Jewish king provides a powerful model for the next American President.)

by joelcrosenberg
Josiah(Washington, D.C.) -- As the presidential campaign season heats up, Americans are trying to get to know the many candidates in both parties and determine who would be best to lead America in 2017 and beyond. Who has the right character, vision, and detailed, substantive, serious plans for reform? Who has the wisdom, experience and sound judgment? Who is ready for the enormous and complicated challenges facing this great country?
Choosing the right leader is not an easy process, but it is vitally important. After all, America is on the wrong track. We are going in the wrong direction. We are in deep trouble as a nation, heading steadily -- perhaps rapidly -- towards implosion. We've murdered 57 million babies. Five Justices on the Supreme Court have decided that the Bible is wrong and they know better what marriage should be. We're taken on $18 trillion in debt with no end in sight. We are surrendering to Iran and ISIS. Our tax code is corruptingly complex and killing jobs and opportunity. We can't -- or won't -- control our sovereign borders. Our schools are a mess. Violence, drugs and pornography is epidemic. Sadly, the list goes on and on.
So who can get us turned around and heading in the right direction? I've been praying about this and studying the Scriptures for many months, asking the Lord for clarity. And here is what I have concluded.
America needs a Josiah.
A President cannot save America from all our troubles, but leadership matters. We need a leader like the one-time King of Judah whom the Bible describes as one of the most humble, strong, wise and impressive leaders of all-time. Last week, at the Word of Life Bible camp in the Adirondack Mountains of Upstate New York, I taught a five-day series of messages titled, "Living Like Jeremiah In A Time of Coming Judgment." It was a survey of the life and times and ministry of the ancient Hebrew prophet Josiah. I'll post more notes from those messages in the days ahead. But on Day #2, I taught about the first of five kings Jeremiah served under. His name was Josiah and his story, I believe, is one that offers great hope. So I'd like to post these notes first.
I hope you'll take a moment and read through these notes, and read through the accounts of King Josiah in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. At the end of these notes, you'll see some of my "final thoughts" about how I believe the life and lessons of Josiah apply to our time and this presidential campaign. I hope you find this helpful. Please feel free to share with others.
-------------------------
JOSIAH AND THE ROAD TO REFORM AND REVIVAL
Lessons from the life of Judah’s most humble and godly king
At a time when Hebrew prophets like Jeremiah were warning of the coming judgment of the people of Jerusalem and Judah because they were refused to read, listen to, or obey the Word of God, the Lord mercifully raised up a leader who did, in fact, love the Lord his God and loved His Word.
His name was Josiah. A godly king, Josiah passionately sought the Lord in his private life and pursued bold, sweeping reforms in his public life to get the Jewish nation turned around and headed back in the right direction.
As a result, the Lord in His sovereignty graciously chose to forestall the promised coming judgment for more than two decades. Indeed, during Josiah’s tenure in power, the Jewish people experienced one of the greatest periods of repentance, reform and revival in their ancient history.
In the end, however, when Josiah passed away, new leaders emerged and tragically they turned away from the Lord and led the people astray. Judgment came to the nation in 586 B.C. with the destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple at the hands of the Babylonian army.
Are there lessons from the life of Josiah for our nation at this time? Is it possible that the Lord might graciously raise up a leader like Josiah who loves Him and His Word and will boldly pursue serious reforms to help turn our nation around and get us headed back in the right direction? Despite our many sins and failures as a nation, might the Lord be willing to forestall judgment – at least for a while – and give us a season of great reform and revival?
These are important and intriguing questions. As we seek answers, let us begin by trying to better understand Josiah, his times, his nation, and his God.
Who was Josiah?
  • Josiah was 8 years old when he became the king of Judah (2 Chronicles 34:1), that is around 627 B.C.
  • Josiah reigned for 31 years. (2 Chronicles 34:1)
  • Josiah’s grandfather was Manasseh, the most wicked king in the history of Judah (2 Kings 21:1-18).
    • Manasseh was 12 years old when he became king (2 Kings 21:1)
    • Manasseh “did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord dispossessed before the sons of Israel.” (2 Kings 21:2)
    • Manasseh was the most evil king in the history of Judah and during his reign idol worship, witchcraft, and child sacrifice were practiced. Indeed, the Bible states that “Manasseh seduced them [the people of Judah] to do evil more than the nations whom the Lord destroyed before the sons of Israel.” (see 2 Kings 21:3-9, and particularly verse 9).
    • Because of the evil done during the reign of Manasseh, terrible judgment was coming and it was certain. “Now the Lord spoke through His servants the prophets” that “I am bringing calamity on Jerusalem and Judah” and “I will wipe Jerusalem as one wipes a dish….I will abandon the remnant of My inheritance and deliver them into the hand of their enemies, and they will become as plunder and spoil to all their enemies because they have done evil in My sight, and have been provoking Me.” (see 2 Kings 21:10-15)
  • Josiah’s father was Amon, another wicked king of Judah. (2 Kings 21:24)
    • Amon was 22 years old when he became king. (2 Kings 21:19)
    • Amon reigned for only two years before being assassinated. (2 Chronicles 33:21, 2 Kings 21:23)
    • Amon “did evil in the sight of the Lord, as Manasseh his father had done.” (2 Kings 21:20)
    • Amon “walked in all the ways that his father [Manasseh] had walked, the idols that his father had served and worshipped them.” (2 Kings 21:21)
    • Amon “forsook the Lord, the God of his fathers, and did not walk in the way of the Lord.” (2 Kings 21:22)
    • “The servants of Amon conspired against him and killed the king in his own house.” (2 Kings 21:23)
  • Josiah’s mother was “Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath.” (2 Kings 22:1)
    • Jedidah became a widow at a fairly young age, as Amon was only 24 when he was assassinated (2 Kings 21:23
    • The Scriptures do not tell us whether Jedidah played a positive spiritual role in the life of Josiah.
What was the turning point in Josiah’s life?
  • The Bible tells us that Josiah was about 15 or 16 years old (in the eighth year of his reign) when “he began to seek the God of his father David.” (2 Chronicles 34:2)
  • Josiah was about 19 or 20 years old (in the twelfth year of his reign) when he began “to purge Judah and Jerusalem” of the idols and altars and places of false worship. (2 Chronicles 34:2-7)
  • Josiah was about 26 years old when he directed the High Priest (Hilkiah) to hire workers to clean up and repair the Temple in Jerusalem. (2 Chronicles 34:8-13)
    • It was during this process that a lost copy of “the book of the Law of the Lord given by Moses” was found in the Temple. (2 Chronicles 34:14)
    • The king asked that the word of the Lord be read to him and it was read to him. (2 Kings 22:8-10)
    • “When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes. Then the king commanded [his servants], ‘Go and inquire of the Lord for me and the people and all Judah concerning the words of this book that has been found, for great is the wrath of the Lord that burns against us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book, to do all that is written concerning us.’” (2 Kings 22:8-10)
    • Hearing the very word of God had a tremendously powerful impact on Josiah. As the king heard the word of God – as it was read to him and as he listened to it carefully – he suddenly understood its import.
    • Josiah understood that while he was making some good reforms, he still was not leading the nation in the right direction.
    • Josiah understood that the leaders of the nation before him hadn’t led the nation in the right direction, that they had ignored and defied the Lord and his word, and that there were enormous consequences facing them for having taken this path.
    • Josiah understood that certain judgment was coming.
    • Josiah, thus asked his advisors to seek the Lord to find out whether there was any way to turn the ship of state around, as it were, to get back on the right track and to avoid cataclysmic judgment.
    • Josiah’s advisors – including the High Priest – apparently did not know the Lord well enough to seek the word of the Lord directly. So they sought out a true servant of God who was living in Jerusalem. (2 Chronicles 34:20-22)
What was the message that the Lord sent to Josiah?
  • The Lord saw Josiah’s anguish over the wrong direction his nation was going in, and in His mercy the Lord sent a message to the king through a prophetess named Huldah. (2 Chronicles 34:22-30)
  • This is the message Josiah received:
      1. Judgment is coming to the nation because the people have turned against the Lord and His word – it is deserved, it is certain, it will come to pass, and nothing can be done to stop it.
        • “Behold, I bring evil on this place and on its inhabitants, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read.” (2 Kings 22:16)
        • “Because they have forsaken Me and have burned incense to other gods that they might provoke Me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore My wrath burns against this place, and it shall not be quenched.” (2 Kings 22:17)
      2.  However, because Josiah’s heart is so tender before the Lord and because when he heard the word of the Lord he humbled himself and repented and sought to obey the Lord, God sovereignly chooses to delay the certain coming judgment until after Josiah passed away.
        • “But to the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the Lord thus you shall say to him….‘[B]ecause your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I truly have heard you,’ declares the Lord.” (2 Kings 22:18-19)
        • “Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes will not see all the evil which I will bring on this place.” (2 Kings 22:20)
What kind of reforms did Josiah make during time in power?
  • Josiah purged the land of idol worship. (2 Chronicles chapter 34:3-7)
  • Josiah ordered the Temple to be cleaned and repaired (2 Chronicles 34:8-13)
  • Josiah made the reading and studying of the Bible a top priority for the Jewish people. The Scriptures state that he called together “all” the leaders of Jerusalem and Judah and “all the people” of Jerusalem and Judah and personally “read in their hearing all the words of the covenant which was found in the house of the Lord.” (2 Chronicles 34:29-30)
  • Josiah publicly made a covenant before the Lord and all the people “to walk after the Lord, and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes which all his heart and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant written in the book [the Bible].” (2 Chronicles 34:31)
  • Josiah led the people to join him in this covenant to serve the Lord with all their heart and soul, “so all the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers” and “throughout his lifetime they did not turn from following the Lord God of their fathers.” (2 Chronicles 34:32-33)
  • Beginning when he was about 26, Josiah reinstituted the celebration of the Passover to remind the people of God’s might and mercy, and it had never been celebrated so widely or in such a special manner as during the days of Josiah. (2 Chronicles chapter 35, see especially 35:18)
How did the Lord regard Josiah?
  • Josiah “always did right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of his father, David, and did not turn aside to the right or to the left.” (2 Chronicles 34:2)
  • “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.” (2 Kings 23:25)
  • “Nor did any [king] like him arise after him.” (2 Kings 23:25)
  • When Josiah eventually died, he “was buried in the tombs of his fathers” and “all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.” (2 Chronicles 35:24)
  • Jeremiah was particularly broken-hearted by the death of King Josiah. “Then Jeremiah chanted a lament for Josiah. And all the male and female singers speak about Josiah in their lamentation to this day. And they made them an ordinance in Israel; behold, they are also written in the Lamentations.” (2 Chronicles 35:25)
Did the Lord cancel the coming judgment because of Josiah’s faithfulness?
  • No.
  • The Lord delayed but did not cancel the coming judgment of Judah and Jerusalem because of Josiah’s faithfulness to Him and His word.
  • Josiah died around 609 B.C.
  • Judah and Jerusalem were destroyed in 586 B.C. by the Babylonian empire, in fulfillment of the Biblical prophecies.
How long did the Lord delay the judgment of Jerusalem and Judah?
  • Remarkably, the Lord delayed the prophesied and certain judgment of Jerusalem and Judah for 22 ½ years beyond the life of Josiah.
  • This means that 53 ½ years passed between the time Josiah ascended to the throne to the time the divine judgment of Jerusalem and Judah came to pass in 586 B.C. under the reign of the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar. (31 years of Josiah’s reign + 22 ½ years of the reigns of other kings)
    1. Jehoahaz succeeded Josiah as king and reigned for three months in Jerusalem, but “he did evil in the sight of the Lord” and was arrested and imprisoned by an Egyptian Pharoah (see 2 Kings 23:28-33).
    2. Eliakim (who changed his name to “Jehoiakim”) was made the next king and he reigned eleven years in Jerusalem but “he did evil in the sight of the Lord.” (2 Kings 23:34-37)
    3. Jehoiachin was the next king, he reigned three months in Jerusalem, but “he did evil in the sight of the Lord,” and then the Babylonian empire came to conquer the Jews and Jehoiachin was taken into exile in Babylon. (2 Kings 24:1-16)
    4. Mattaniah was made the next king of Judah by the Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar, who changed his name to “Zedekiah.” Zedekiah reigned in Jerusalem for eleven years under Babylonian sovereignty. In the end, however, the Babylonians “slaughtered the sons of Zedekiah before his eyes, then put out the eyes of Zedekiah and bound him with bronze fetters and brought him to Babylon.” Then, in 586 B.C., the commander of the Babylonian forces “burned the house of the Lord, the king’s house, and all the houses of Jerusalem” and then “the rest of the people who were left in the city [were] carried away into exile.” (see 2 Kings 24:17-20 and 2 Kings chapter 25)
What were the godly spiritual influences in Josiah’s life that helped him turn to the Lord?
  • The Bible does not give us precise clarity about how the Lord began to work so powerfully in Josiah’s life, but it does give us clues.
  • Let’s start with the negative.
    • Clearly, Josiah’s father was not a positive influence, and the Scriptures are silent as to any positive influence his mother was on his spiritual life.
    • There is little, if any, evidence that Hilkiah – the chief priest – was a positive influence on Josiah.
      • Neither the accounts in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles provides evidence that Hilkiah has provided godly counsel to Josiah during his youth.
      • Neither account provides evidence that Hilkiah has ever set foot in the Temple prior to King Josiah ordering its restoration.
      • Both accounts suggest Hilkiah was as surprised as everybody else concerning his discovery of the “book of the law of the Lord given by Moses” in the Temple.
      • Hilkiah does not take it upon himself to read the Scriptures to the king, but gives the job to Shaphan the scribe.
      • Neither account suggests that Hilkiah tore his robes when he hears the Scriptures read, in sharp contrast to Josiah’s reaction.
      • When King Josiah commands Hilkiah and his colleagues to “go, inquire of the Lord” concerning the coming judgment of Judah for her disobedience to God and His word, neither Hilkiah nor his colleagues appear to have a relationship with the Lord that they can go seek Him on their own. Instead, they have to seek out the wife of the keeper of the wardrobe to see if she can talk to the Lord on their behalf.
      • It is Josiah – not Hilkiah – who calls the leaders and people of the nation together to read the word of the Lord to them.
      • It is Josiah – not Hilkiah – who calls the people to celebrate Passover as they have never celebrated it before.
      • Some commentators speak well of Hilkiah for finding the lost Scriptural scroll and presiding over the Passover, but I see no evidence that these were his ideas, or that he provided either the king or nation godly, Biblical counsel much less godly leadership. By comparison, we have the example of Ezra who as both priest and scribe showed true spiritual leadership – in close cooperation with Nehemiah the governor – in helping the Jewish people turn back to the Lord.
  • Now, let’s consider the positive.
    • Josiah’s great-grandfather was Hezekiah, who was one of the most-godly kings in the ancient history of Judah – and one of its boldest reformers – even though he certainly made mistakes. While Josiah never met Hezekiah, it is very likely that he learned of his great-grandfather’s story of faith and bold reform as he was educated in the palace.
      • Hezekiah became king at 25 years old. (2 Chronicles 29:1)
      • Hezekiah reigned for 29 years. (2 Chronicles 29:1)
      • Hezekiah “did right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father David had done.” (2 Chronicles 29:2)
      • Hezekiah “opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them.” (2 Chronicles 29:3, and see all of chapter 29)
      • Hezekiah restored the Temple worship. (2 Chronicles 29:20-36)
      • Hezekiah reinstituted the celebration of the Passover to remind the people of God’s might and mercy. (2 Chronicles chapter 30)
      • Hezekiah destroyed idol worship throughout the land. (2 Chronicles chapter 31)
      • Hezekiah was a man who prayed to the Lord and the Lord answered his prayers (2 Chronicles 32)
    • In God’s tremendous grace and mercy, Josiah’s wicked grand-father, Manasseh, was miraculously converted, forgiven and saved before his death.
      • Manasseh died when Josiah was only four years old.
      • However, Manasseh was a true believer for some – and possibly all – of those four years.
      • While Manasseh’s dramatic conversion made no impact on Josiah’s father, Amon, Manasseh may have prayed for and given special attention to little Josiah.
      • It is also possible that some of palace staff could have passed along some of the story of Manasseh’s conversion to young Josiah as he grew up in the palace.
  • Consider 2 Chronicles 33:10-20:
    • “When he [Manasseh] was in distress, he entreated the Lord his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of Israel.
    • “When he prayed to Him, He was moved by his entreaty and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem and to his kingdom.
    • “Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God….
    • “He [Manasseh] also removed the foreign gods and the idol from the house of the Lord….
    • “He set up the altar of the Lord….
    • “He ordered Judah to serve the Lord God of Israel….”
    • During Josiah’s reign, God graciously raised up a series of prophets, including Jeremiah, Zephaniah and Habakkuk to declare the word of the Lord. There is little, if any, Scriptural evidence that Zephaniah or Habakkuk had a relationship with King Josiah, though we can be fairly confident that a monarch who loved the Lord as much as Josiah did would have wanted to hear what the Lord was saying through such prophets.
    • There is some Scriptural evidence of a relationship between Josiah and Jeremiah.
      • The prophet Jeremiah was called by the Lord into ministry during the thirteenth year of King Josiah’s reign, when Josiah was 21 years old. (Jeremiah 1:1-2)
      • God raised up Jeremiah specifically to speak the word of the Lord to the Jewish nation, the Jewish leaders, including the king, as well as to the nations surrounding Judah.
        • “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I have appointed you a prophet to the nations.” (Jeremiah 1:5)
        • “See, I have appointed you this day over the nations and over the kingdoms to pluck up and to break down, to destroy and to overthrow, to build and to plant.” (Jeremiah 1:9)
        • “Now behold, I have made you today as a fortified city and as a pillar of iron against the whole land, to the kings of Judah, to its princes, and to the people of the land. They will fight against you, but they will not overcome you, for I am with you to deliver you,” declares the Lord. (Jeremiah 1:18-19)
      • Josiah and Jeremiah were likely the same age, or nearly so. Many Biblical commentators say Jeremiah was in his late teens or early twenties when he was called into ministry.
      • Might the two young men known each other growing up? We cannot say for certain, but it is possible.
        •  We know that Josiah was born and raised in the town of Anathoth, which was only 3 miles northeast of Jerusalem, the capital, where Josiah was born and raised. (Jeremiah 1:1)
        • Jeremiah was born into a priestly family and his father was named Hilkiah. (Jeremiah 1:1) This priestly role may have brought the family into Jerusalem on a regular basis.
        • Is it possible that this is the same Hilkiah who was the High Priest? While many Biblical commentators believe the answer is “no,” some believe Jeremiah’s father might have been the High Priest. If so, then that could have been Josiah and Jeremiah into contact.
      • Again, Jeremiah was called into ministry was Josiah was 21. But it wasn’t until Josiah was 26 years old (“in the eighteenth year of his reign,” according to 2 Chronicles 34:8) that Josiah ordered the Temple to be cleaned and restored and the book of the law was discovered and read to him. What kind of conversations and times of prayer was Jeremiah having with Josiah during these five years?
      • Josiah reigned as king in Jerusalem for 31 years. (2 Kings 22:1) Jeremiah served as an active prophet of the Lord God Almighty for 18 years of those years. What kind of conversations and times of prayer was Jeremiah having with Josiah during these 18 years?
      • While the Scriptures do not give us any details, it is reasonable to believe that Josiah was trying to persuade his children to follow the Lord and read and heed the Scriptures. It is also reasonable to believe that Jeremiah was encouraging the king in this regard. It is also reasonable to believe that Jeremiah’s heart broke as he saw Josiah’s sons – the future kings of Judah – refusing to turn to the Lord and His word.
        • “Return, O faithless sons, I will heal your faithfulness.” (Jeremiah 3:22)
        • “It shall come about in that day,” declares the Lord, “that the heart of the king and the heart of the princes will fail….” (Jeremiah 4:9)
        • “For My people are foolish, they know Me not; they are stupid children and have no understanding. They are shrewd to do evil, but to do good they do not know.” (Jeremiah 4:22)
        • “The word of the Lord also came to me saying, ‘You shall not take a wife for yourself nor have sons or daughters in this place.’ For thus says the Lord concerning the sons and daughters born in this place, and concerning the mothers who bear them, and their fathers who beget them in this land: ‘They will die of deadly diseases, they will not be lamented or buried….’ Then you are to say to them….‘You…have done evil, even more than your forefathers; for behold, you are each one walking according to the stubbornness of his own evil heart, without listening to Me. So I will hurl you out of this land into the land which you have not known, neither you nor your fathers; and there you will serve other gods day and night, for I will grant you no favor.’” (Jeremiah 16:1-4, 11-13)
      • The Book of Jeremiah refers to Josiah no fewer than 16 times. (Jeremiah 1:1-2,  1:3, 3:6, 22:11, 22:18, 25:1, 25:3, 26:1, 27:1, 35:1, 36:1, 36:2, 36:9, 37:1, 45:1, 46:2)
      • When King Josiah died, he “was buried in the tombs of his fathers” and “all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah.” (2 Chronicles 35:24) Jeremiah was present for the burial of Josiah, was particularly broken-hearted by Josiah’s death, because he knew that great evil and terrible judgments were coming.
      • Jeremiah influenced the nation on how to mourn for and remember this godly king. “Then Jeremiah chanted a lament for Josiah. And all the male and female singers speak about Josiah in their lamentation to this day. And they made them an ordinance in Israel; behold, they are also written in the Lamentations.” (2 Chronicles 35:25)
Final Thoughts
  • Like the nation of Judah in its day, America is heading towards implosion, towards judgment.
  • Only the grace and mercy of God can get us turned around and heading in the right direction.
  • We need a great revival and a Great Awakening.
  • We need leaders like Jeremiah who are willing to preach and teach the Word of God and warn the country of how much danger we are in.
  • We also need a leader like Josiah who will humbly seek the Lord and boldly make serious, sweeping reforms.
  • I'm not looking for a Pastor-in-Chief or Theologian-in-Chief to be President of the United States -- the role of President isn't the same in the U.S. as the role of king was in the days of Judah.
  • The Church's job is to pray, fast, repent, preach, teach, disciple and lead a great moral and spiritual revival -- that is not the President's job.
  • The President's job is to follow the Constitution, protect the American people's safety, protect the American people's God-given rights and liberties, create the conditions for economic growth and opportunity, and lead the Free World in a time of great peril and volatility.
  • That said, I am looking for a President who loves the Lord, reads and loves God's Word, is humble, is strong, is clear-sighted, will pursue bold reforms and can call the nation together to head in the right direction.
  • I'm not going to make a quick decision of whom to support. I'm going to pray for wisdom and clarity and discernment and see if a true Josiah emerges over the next few months.
  • I hope you will do the same.
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joelcrosenberg | August 18, 2015 at 2:37 pm | Categories: Uncategorized | URL:http://wp.me/piWZ7-3kA