Wow...rough story. Here we have King Josiah, who after reading the Book of the Law, renews his covenant with the Lord (as did his followers), destroys all remnants of sin used by his predecessors, and loves the Lord as no one had done previously or after him:
25 Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses. (verse 25)
This is quite remarkable because we have King David who, albeit far from perfect, we all acknowledge as a great king and one who loved the Lord. Yet Josiah was truly great because he did as God asked most importantly which was to love and follow God with all of his heart and soul.
Although we know God as full of mercy and compassion - it is through grace alone. Here he remains angry.
26 Nevertheless, the LORD did not turn away from the heat of his fierce anger, which burned against Judah because of all that Manasseh had done to arouse his anger. (verse 26)
And finally, we see Josiah killed:
29 While Josiah was king, Pharaoh Necho king of Egypt went up to the Euphrates River to help the king of Assyria. King Josiah marched out to meet him in battle, but Necho faced him and killed him at Megiddo. 30 Josiah’s servants brought his body in a chariot from Megiddo to Jerusalem and buried him in his own tomb. (verses 29-30)
While we are left to somewhat speculate how long Josiah lived and how full a life he lived, that he died in battle is testament to the notion that it is through grace alone that we live and are spared for any sin we commit. God has a plan, and we must live with the end in mind.
My Prayer: Lord, I have seen your designs in my life and your mercy. Your plan is perfect and your mercy and love is boundless. Forgive me for my sin - help me purify myself from my sin as there is much to purge - worry, selfishness, laziness, greed, etc. Help me focus on you and your will. Help me love you as Josiah loved you.
