Focus Chapters:

• Zephaniah 2:8-15
• Zephaniah 3
• 2 Chronicles 35:20-27
• 2 Kings 23:29-30
• Jeremiah 47-48

Standout Verse(s):

ACTION

2 Chronicles 35:20-21 NLT

After Josiah had finished restoring the Temple, King Neco of Egypt led his army up from Egypt to do battle at Carchemish on the Euphrates River, and Josiah and his army marched out to fight him. But King Neco sent messengers to Josiah with this message:

“What do you want with me, king of Judah? I have no quarrel with you today! I am on my way to fight another nation, and God has told me to hurry! Do not interfere with God, who is with me, or he will destroy you.”

REACTION

2 Chronicles 35:22-24 NLT

But Josiah refused to listen to Neco, to whom God had indeed spoken, and he would not turn back. Instead, he disguised himself and led his army into battle on the plain of Megiddo. But the enemy archers hit King Josiah with their arrows and wounded him. He cried out to his men, “Take me from the battle, for I am badly wounded!”

So they lifted Josiah out of his chariot and placed him in another chariot. Then they brought him back to Jerusalem, where he died. He was buried there in the royal cemetery. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him.

Observation (s):

1. God commanded Neco of Egypt to make haste to do battle at Carchemish on the Euphrates River.
   

   After Josiah had finished restoring the Temple, King Neco of Egypt led his army up from Egypt to do battle at Carchemish on the Euphrates River, and Josiah and his army marched out to fight him. But King Neco sent messengers to Josiah with this message:

   “What do you want with me, king of Judah? I have no quarrel with you today! I am on my way to fight another nation, and God has told me to hurry! Do not interfere with God, who is with me, or he will destroy you.”

2. When Josiah heard of Neco’s advancement, he prepared for battle, however Neco sent a message to him indicating that God had commanded him to go to battle and that Josiah should not interfere.
   

   After Josiah had finished restoring the Temple, King Neco of Egypt led his army up from Egypt to do battle at Carchemish on the Euphrates River, and Josiah and his army marched out to fight him. But King Neco sent messengers to Josiah with this message:

   “What do you want with me, king of Judah? I have no quarrel with you today! I am on my way to fight another nation, and God has told me to hurry! Do not interfere with God, who is with me, or he will destroy you.”

3. Josiah ignored Neco’s warning and without consulting God, rides into battle and is injured. He later dies of his injuries.
   

   But Josiah refused to listen to Neco, to whom God had indeed spoken, and he would not turn back. Instead, he disguised himself and led his army into battle on the plain of Megiddo. But the enemy archers hit King Josiah with their arrows and wounded him. He cried out to his men, “Take me from the battle, for I am badly wounded!”

   So they lifted Josiah out of his chariot and placed him in another chariot. Then they brought him back to Jerusalem, where he died. He was buried there in the royal cemetery. And all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him.

    

Application:

I recently peeled a frozen breadfruit for the first time in my life. Instead of checking with my experienced sister to confirm if my methodology was correct, I took the breadfruit from the fridge and begun peeling before it had defrosted. I ended up with a breadfruit that was broken into too many small pieces. Oftentimes, because of our strong belief that we are right, we overlook consulting a better/higher source to ensure our assumptions are correct.

Josiah, a king who sought the Lord wholeheartedly, died because he did not seek the Lord’s confirmation. It’s a sticky situation. King Neco of Egypt heads out to war against another nation and Josiah arms his forces to fight him. Then a strange thing occurs. Neco send Josiah a message stating that Josiah’s God had given him instructions to make haste and fight the other nation and that Josiah should not interfere or he would be destroyed. What would you have done if you were in Josiah’s shoe? Sure, it would have been hard to believe Neco, your enemy! It would seem that Josiah had no option but to call Neco’s bluff…or did he? He could have consulted God. Instead, Josiah choose to push ahead with his plans to stop Neco. His oversight in consulting God, costs him his life.

Even in situations when you are sure you are right, don’t forget to consult God. Josiah’s oversight cost him his life. What will yours cost you? Get a second opinion!

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May the Peace of God go with you!

XOXO
Chañel

life-experience battle Bible Challenge consult God enemy Josiah King Neco