RTW 2022

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. The prophet Jeremiah composed funeral songs for Josiah, and to this day choirs still sing these sad songs about his death. These songs of sorrow have become a tradition and are recorded in The Book of Laments.
2 Chronicles 35:22-25

What sorrow awaits rebellious, polluted Jerusalem, the city of violence and crime! No one can tell it anything; it refuses all correction. It does not trust in the LORD or draw near to its God.
Zephaniah 3:1-2

• King Josiah was a good king,
• The people had shown their true hearts under kings Manasseh and Amon.
• God told them judgment was coming.
• God had promised the end of Judah would not happen until after Josiah’s death.
• 2 Kings 22:18-20
• King Josiah marched out to meet King Neco of Egypt.
• He did not ask God what to do.
• He dies in Jerusalem, and is buried with full honor.
• This placed Judah under Egyptian rule.
• It was time for Judah to be punished.

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Slow down. Make godly decisions, not rash ones.