When a Teenager Held Back God’s Judgment:
1. Sometimes it takes a new generation to move back toward God.
- 2 Chronicles 34:1-3.
- He’s a young man: eight when he begins to rule and sixteen when he begins seeking the Lord.
- It’s easy for us to berate and deride the younger generations, but sometimes they are the source of much-needed change.
- It might be the mistakes they see the older generations making. It might that they haven’t lived through the same things the older generations have so they see things differently. It may be that the older generations take certain things for granted and a new generation isn’t afraid to question that.
- We shouldn’t dismiss what the younger generation has to say because it might be exactly what we need to hear.
2. Sometimes progress takes a while.
- 2 Chronicles 34:1-13.
- The progression of time:
a. 8 years old – starts reigning.
- v. 1.
b. 16 years old – starts seeking God.
- v. 3.
c. 20 years old – starts reforms.
- v. 3.
d. 20 years old and after – accomplishes the reforms.
- vv. 3-13.
- We all love the thought of instantaneous revival with everything changing, but sometimes there are steps involved.
- This, of course, requires patience, and many of us are lacking that area.
3. There is a difference between trying to be good and actually knowing God’s Word.
- 2 Chronicles 34:14-19.
- This is one of the intriguing aspects of this passage – the Word of God doesn’t show up until halfway through the story.
- Josiah begins by making what are somewhat obvious changes: get rid of idols and elevate the temple. These are good things.
- But then the Law is found and it adds much knowledge of God’s will to Josiah’s understanding.
- There is a difference between trying to be good and actually knowing God’s Word.
- This is not to say that it’s a bad thing when someone recognizes they need to turn toward the good and make efforts in that direction. That is from God.
- But there is a much fuller knowledge that the Word of God brings. We could not have guessed what all He asks of us – we need the revelation of God to lay that before us. One of the things the Word gives us is a fuller understanding of what His will is.
4. Knowing more of God’s Word may create a burden.
- 2 Chronicles 34:19-25.
- Some people think that revival and renewal are going to be all joy and salvations. But there is also the burdensome part. There is realizing how far short we fall. There is realizing how far away from God’s will we are. There is realizing how much we need to change.
- Verse 19 has Josiah tearing his clothes at the reality of their true spiritual condition.
- This reminds me of the Biblical idea that the Word is our tutor to show us how far off track we are.
- We have to accept that the news may not be as good as we hoped.
- Further, there is the element here concerning God’s anger.
- This is an important spiritual truth that is overlooked often today in favor of God’s benevolence.
- Our sinful condition causes God anger. It brings judgment.
- This too creates a burden for the person trying to follow God. He is aware of the impending danger to their nation and their people.
5. Sometimes one person can make a difference in holding off judgment.
- 2 Chronicles 34:26-33.
- God’s statements to Josiah are striking concerning the impact that he is having. God is going to hold of judgment because of him.
- We sometimes question whether one person can make a difference but this passage resoundingly answers “yes.”
- The example that comes to mind is the Christmas classic “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The plot centers around the profound difference George Bailey makes in the lives of so many people in his town.
- This should encourage us: what difference are we making in the lives of those around us? Even if the situation may not be as dramatic as the one here, we nonetheless can make a difference.
