Punishment Of A Nation Series

As Americans, we have not seen a complete overthrow of our nation’s leadership. We have witnessed many attempts to assassinate our presidents, with a few successes. Our form of government seems to be stable. The democracy in which we live has been built upon Godly principles and appears to be a sound constitution.

Even with what appears to be a sound constitution, it can fail. No nation has stood for a great length of time without God’s intervention. God has caused some to prosper for a little time then fail. He has caused some to endure great tribulations; rising and falling, then returning to a portion of their power over earthly commerce and strength.

No matter how firm you feel about your country, God will discipline it. The discipline may come quickly; it may be many years later. But, God will punish an evil nation.

Over the next few weeks, I wish to embark upon the story of a great nation which became complacent in its form of government, yet had to be disciplined. That nation is Judah.

Let us begin with its leadership near the end of a period in which it believed it could never fail. We will identify its kings and their successes or failures in the sight of God. Were its leaders good leaders leading the people in the paths of righteousness or leading down the paths of sin? We will end with the stories written by Daniel explaining the physical literal kingdoms of earth until the destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70. In this study we will be looking at nearly 1000 years of time.

In this study, we will see the discipline of many nations under God’s power to deliver a Godly nation in which His son could be born. We will see how God uses one nation against another for His purposes.

Josiah is the king of Judah. Josiah began his reign around 640 BC. He obtained the throne following his fathers death. His father was King Amon.

In 2 Kings 22 Josiah was made king of Judah. He was only eight years old. 2 Kings 22:1-2. 22 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath. 2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.

Scripture says he was the son of David. (vs 2) This is to keep with the proof God held to his promise to David a son would forever be upon the throne of Judah. Josiah was a direct descendant of King David, fulfilling the promise God made to David.

Scripture says while Josiah was king, Judah was led by a righteous king. ([he] turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.) This would appear Judah had no problems living up to the commandments of God.

At eight years of age, Josiah was wise. 2 Chron. 34:3 tells he began seeking the ways of the Lord. At twelve he began to purge Judah of its evils. 2 Chron. 34:3. 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.

This he did throughout Judah. Vss. 3-7 he destroyed all idols in the entire kingdom. 4 And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them. 5 And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem. 6 And so did he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, with their mattocks round about. 7 And when he had broken down the altars and the groves, and had beaten the graven images into powder, and cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel, he returned to Jerusalem.

God has given power to the rulers of the lands to purge sinfulness from the nations. When righteous leaders lead, the people follow. When evil leaders lead, evil reigns upon the people.

We see this to be true because in Romans 13:1-4 the writer tells us God places all rulers in power. 13 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God. 2 Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same: 4 For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.