2 Chronicles 35 Devotional

A Warning From an Unexpected Mouth

“Josiah, however, did not turn away from him; instead, in order to engage him in battle, he disguised himself. He did not listen to Neco’s words from the mouth of God, but went to fight him on the Plain of Megiddo.”2 Chronicles 35:22 (BSB)

Josiah's Passover is a model of joyful order. Priests and Levites take their posts, the king gives thirty thousand lambs and goats from his own flocks, and the Levites prepare portions for everyone, even the singers and gatekeepers, so no one has to leave their station (35:2-15). No Passover like it had been kept since the days of Samuel (35:18).

Neco king of Egypt marches north to fight elsewhere, and Josiah goes out to stop him. Neco sends word that his quarrel is not with Judah, that God has told him to hurry, and that Josiah should not stand in the way of the God who is with him (35:20-21). The narrator says plainly that these were words from the mouth of God (35:22). Josiah disguises himself, goes into battle at Megiddo, is struck by archers, and dies (35:23-24). Even the most faithful king still needed to listen, and God's word came through the last voice he expected. A humble heart keeps listening for God, even when he speaks through unlikely voices.

To think about: Is there a voice in your life you tend to dismiss that God might be using to speak a needed word to you?