ERIC MARSHALL

The position from which we view something has a considerable effect on what we see and how we understand what we see. The same is true for our lifestyle, for “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Prov. 14:12).

There is a man-centred view of things and a God-centred view. They are incompatible—indeed, quite separate. The difference is clearly before us in the possible views taken of the Bible. A man-centred view would see it as the product of man’s thinking, a developing and changing way of thinking about our origin and destiny. It would be seen as a record of the ideas from earlier primitive cultures which have been superseded by our own more enlightened understanding and discovery. Such a view denies any binding authority over us by the reading of Scripture.

A God-centred view accepts the Bible as God’s inspired revelation; a revelation that informs us, dispels our ignorance and gives the key to the purpose of life. Such clearly speaks to us with unquestionable authority. Willingness to seek God’s way, to have His point of view, is thus the crucial starting point if we are to find life. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. The development and outworking of that wisdom in our lives comes from diligent study of God’s ways as recorded in Scripture, and the application of the principles illustrated there, for “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness” (2 Tim. 3:16).

All Scripture is profitable because, in various ways, it reveals and illustrates Divine standards and thinking. The clear message we receive from Scripture is that, naturally, we do not think or act as God does. This is clearly stated for us through Isaiah: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts” (Isa. 55:8,9). This divergence between our thinking and God’s has been a feature since Adam and Eve disobeyed and became progenitors of a sinful race. Since that time it has been necessary for “the wicked [to] forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and . . . return unto the LORD”, Who “will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon” (v. 7). The beginning of wisdom is to recognise this need.

Scripture abounds with examples to help us to learn the Divine viewpoint. It shows that even the most well-intentioned of disciples can slip back into natural thought patterns. An example is that of Peter who, on hearing Jesus’s teaching that “he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day” (Mt. 16:21), actually “began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee” (v. 22). Like Peter, whose good intentions are without question, we too may fall into the same error, which was: “. . . thou mindest not the things of God, but the things of men” (v. 23, RV).

Jesus’s subsequent challenge to deny oneself, and take up the cross and follow him, must find its first painful outworking in learning to think in a godly way. The mind needs training for such a characteristic to be developed. Consequently, priority among those that fear the Lord will be an eager and regular reading of His Word. Although the writer has said eager, he recognises this as an ideal to be developed. The appetite for the Word of God will be improved by regular reading and meditation on what is said. Therefore those who wish to start on the way of wisdom will discipline themselves to read the Word of God regularly, even when the natural inclination or circumstances may discourage us from the habit. Reading and thinking on the Word will gradually fix it in our minds. Its teaching will be there to help us react faithfully to the situations of life—as the psalmist records: “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee” (Ps. 119:11). The example of Joseph, reviewed in a later article, illustrates the value of exposing the mind and affections to Divine values. Under severe temptation he could say, “how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9), and act accordingly. This reaction while a slave in exile shows how thoroughly Joseph had absorbed Divine standards.

It is not surprising, therefore, that the record tells us that “the LORD was with Joseph” (Gen. 39:21). The Lord’s interest in Joseph did not mean that the way was without difficulties and troubles, for his very stand for righteousness, through his fear of the Lord, led to imprisonment. The interest ensured development of character, overseeing care and a good outcome from the difficulties. Viewed overall, Joseph’s fear of the Lord was wisdom. This was his own verdict on his life’s experiences even at the hand of his brothers: “ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good . . . to save much people alive” (Gen. 50:20). His example, among many, shows the type of person who interests the Almighty: “. . . but to this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembleth at My word” (Isa. 66:2).

The context of these words is a contrast between those who, professing a religious stance, have adapted God’s ways to suit their own ideas, and the person whose respect for God’s Word compels careful obedience. It is perhaps fashionable to understand the fear of the Lord as respect or reverence. Yet the greatness of God, for Whom the earth is His footstool (v. 1) and Who has made all things by His great power, is such that we ought to be afraid of His displeasure and fearful of His power, which can “destroy both soul and body in hell” (Mt. 10:28) as it can also make alive. There is no lack of evidence in Scripture that even those who are depicted as faithful and acceptable to God felt real fear and inadequacy in the presence of Divine manifestation (for example, Isa. 6:5; Dan. 8:17; 10:7-11; Ex. 3:6; Heb. 12:21). Such will be the case too for the whole of mankind when the Lord arises to shake terribly the earth.

Yet our proper sense of awe at the unparalleled greatness of God, Who “will by no means clear the guilty”, is deepened by the revelation of His longsuffering and mercy, that, “as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear Him”, and His mercy “is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear Him” (Ps. 103:13,17).

Another example of one who feared the Lord, and showed it by action in his life, is Josiah. His reading of the newly discovered book of the law at first shocked him, and then moved him to godly action. His example is dealt with in more detail in a later article.

The context of the words, “to this man will I look”, is that of the unacceptable religious activity of those who professed to be faithful but were proud: “they have chosen their own ways . . . they did evil before Mine eyes, and chose that in which I delighted not” (Isa. 66:3,4). Jesus criticised his contemporaries for the same fault: “in vain they do worship Me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men” (Mt. 15:9). The same hazard exists today, that our behaviour and worship will be an act of self-expression rather than trembling at God’s Word. Such can be so by adherence to traditions which are simply the arrangements of men. It can also be so with innovations that seek to use modern idioms and customs for their own sake.

Jesus skilfully reminds disciples of their role in their generation in his parable of the Rich Fool (Lk. 12:16-21). Theirs is not to be an outlook based in material gain and self-indulgence which ignores God’s rightful claim upon them, even when His blessings, richly bestowed upon them, have provided the time of plenty. Rather is it a dedication of self and assets to godly ends, so that, instead of laying up treasure for ourselves, we become “rich toward God”. Such approaches are best put into practice in youth, when the ideals of youth can be channelled into worthy avenues of thought and activity which put God’s will first.

The accompanying teaching of Jesus reminds the disciple of the way God provides for all in generous abundance: “Consider the ravens . . . God feedeth them” (Lk. 12:24); and how the matchless beauty of His works surpasses the best that man can provide. “Consider the lilies . . . Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these” (v. 27). The conclusion drawn is a call to a level of trust in God that is certainly uncharacteristic of this age of human self-sufficiency that we live in. “And seek not ye what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink, neither be ye of doubtful mind. For all these things do the nations of the world seek after: and your Father knoweth that ye have need of these things. But rather seek ye the kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Lk. 12:29-31).

The call of Jesus to seek first the Kingdom of God defines the role of the disciple in what must surely be the last days. This is the way of wisdom we shall follow if we genuinely fear the Lord. Clearly it is a way of self-denial. The example of Jesus, who took up his cross, is one that needs a determined commitment to follow. In an age when self-indulgence is the norm, encouraged by advertisers, and by those who would set the standard of morality by their own passions, the counsel of the apostle is timely: “But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof” (Rom. 13:14).

In this area of present personal conduct the fear of the Lord will be the beginning of wisdom, for the disciples who are wise will be “like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding; that when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. Blessed are those servants, whom the lord when he cometh shall find watching . . .” (Lk. 12:36,37).

JUSTIN ROBINSON

The crucial events leading up to my baptism covered at least the previous two years. The all-important groundwork was laid by my loving parents and Sunday School teachers.

The beginning of my appreciation for the Bible, and the gospel message it contains, coincided with my trip to Canada. This was the first time I had made a trip of this nature alone, staying with brethren and sisters and going to camps, Bible schools, etc.  Most I had never met before, but all showed an amazing family love for me. This was just on the strength that I was a son of their brother and sister in Christ. Indeed, they were showing the commandment “That ye love one another, as I have loved you” (Jno. 15:12).

They caused me to feel one of the family; so much so that I hardly thought of home. This security and warmth was very impressive to me, that an individual could go to another part of the world and be made so welcome, due to the family of Christ. It was in this setting that I observed the power of the Word working within individuals, clearly seeing its power to motivate. This I appreciated increasingly in my parents’ ecclesia also. I was seeing the example of people who, having dedicated their whole lives to God’s Word, were looking for the imminent Kingdom.

God in His wisdom and love provided “a friend that sticketh closer than a brother” (Prov. 18:24) who wrote a letter which had the very essence of Jude verse 3: “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints”.  She and others were all looking to that perfect example of the Lord Jesus Christ. “For even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps” (1 Pet. 2:21). To me the Truth was taking on more meaning, affecting my mind and behaviour. I started to perceive a change in my life. I was going through an important ,stage which was to redirect my ways. I took to heart the advice of the Preacher: “Rejoice, Ο young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment. Therefore remove sorrow from thy heart, and put away evil from thy flesh: for childhood and youth are vanity. Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them” (Eccl. 11:9-12:1).

Romans 8:6 puts this in very clear and unequivocal terms: “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace”. This aspect is tied in with getting the right perspective. Related to this concept of looking at life for what it is, was the sad incident of the Pan Am Lockerbie disaster, in which a young brother who had been attending our meeting was killed. It powerfully brought home to me the words, “So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom” (Ps. 90:12). The stark reality is that one may not always have the opportunity, for one’s life may be taken.

What finally decided my baptism was the realisation of my belief and the recognition of needing to be saved from my present state of sin. This came about from having discussions with a friend. In the process of stating my views I became aware that they were very much to do with my understanding of what the Bible stated. This especially hit home as my friend’s views were based on feelings and inclinations. So, having believed the gospel, like those at the day of Pentecost, all that was required was to “Repent, and be baptized . . . in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins” (Acts 2:38), acknowledging and understanding what discipleship means, as laid out by Jesus in his words, “If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it” (Mt. 16:24,25). I know that this is only possible through the Lord Jesus Christ, through whom forgiveness for my constant failings, in trying to glorify my Creator and Sustainer, is possible if sought for in sincerity and truth. For this I hope I will always be grateful.

DONNA WILLOWS

The horror film had been pretty realistic, portraying the power of the devil. At the bus stop, waiting for the number fifty-one bus to work, I mentioned the film to a young married woman that I had become friendly with who lived in the same street as myself. She may have said a number of things, but the one that stuck in my mind was her comment that there was no such thing as a supernatural devil.

The next day I asked her why she thought that, as it seemed to me that most people believed in the devil as the source of evil. The resulting conversation inevitably led us onto other topics relating to religious belief and daily life. I was in my early twenties, single, living in my own flat, and had a fairly broad experience of life. Religion was something other people took seriously, but not in my family, nor had I. However, my mind had never really been content with what a lot of my contemporaries accepted as the reason why we were here—the purpose of life.

The sister in Christ whom I spoke to at the bus stop introduced me to a Bible reading group run by the local ecclesia. For many months I was led through the Scriptures, coming to realise how relevant its teachings were to the problems of life today. I also came to understand how life had come into existence, the purpose of our Creator in putting us on the earth, and of my need for salvation from death. Week after week my questions and doubts, the challenges I presented, were met by the clear and positive teaching of Scripture through the patient guidance of those at the reading group.

It was a natural step to move into ecclesial life while still maintaining the attendance at the reading group. Here I found my new family and enjoyed the warmth and fellowship at Sunday meetings, Bible Class, fraternals and other ecclesial activities, as well as being welcomed into the homes of brethren and sisters. It was unlike anything I had experienced elsewhere. Eventually I reached the point of no return, where a decision had to be made. Two things were quite clear to me: I knew God had created the earth and that Christ would return to set up His Kingdom. I knew also that I had a knowledge of the gospel of salvation in Christ, a knowledge that demanded of me a responsible response. I could ignore it, turn away, and die—or be baptized and embrace the hope of eternal life. I chose baptism; I have never regretted it, and the providential care of God that took me to that bus stop has been with me ever since. I no longer live in that street; nor does the sister—she returned from Scotland to England with her husband before I was baptized, and I am now in North America—but I will not forget her words, fitly spoken, that led me to a new life.

JOE GILBERT

“Seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness” (Mt. 6:33). “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Ps. 111:10). We turn to the Bible, from whence came these passages, to consider the promises of the Author contained therein: God’s plan and purpose with the earth and mankind upon it. Upon belief of these things we become aware of the power of God and the failings of mankind, thereby recognising our need of salvation. So we become “wise unto salvation”.

Prior to this enlightenment I was very much a ‘man of the world’. Being born in 1922 in South Wales I grew up realising the poor conditions and the shame of abject poverty that prevailed at that time. Fifty-eight years were to pass in which I tried by worldly wisdom to obtain salvation without the knowledge of God. The last ten-and-a-half of those years I served as a magistrate, which was when I realised we were losing the battle for ‘righteousness’. The evil heart of mankind was becoming more difficult to deal with and was causing the collapse of the Welfare State. I gave many years’ service to the Labour Party and the British Legion fighting for people’s rights; but when I came out of darkness into His glorious light the joy was indescribable. Believing the things concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ, I buried in the waters of baptism that which was already dead as Paul explains or expounds to the church at Ephesus (Eph. 2). Do we now fear God or man? is the question to be answered by those of like precious faith.

What a moving story is presented with the life of this young man! Who cannot fail to be moved by the despair of Jacob at the presumed death of Joseph? Who cannot imagine the pleading of the seventeen-year-old with his own brothers as the Midianites wrenched him away from family into slavery? How graphic are the words of his brothers: “we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear” (Gen. 42:21)! What heart remains unmoved as the prison door slams in such unjust fashion? And how, we wonder, can faith remain so alive as days become years and no obvious respite seems available? Why? Why? Why? may well have been the question in Joseph’s mind. For us, with the advantage of hindsight through the complete Scriptural record, such questions are easily answered; but for Joseph it was an immense test of faith. Again, as is so often the case when we consider the examples of godly young people in Scripture, we see that the foundations had been well laid in their formative years. The tears of joy shed at the family reunion when Joseph was thirty-nine or forty years of age, released all the fears, frustrations and despair the previous twenty-three years had given him, and he knew that it was the hand of God. “God did send me before you to preserve life” (Gen. 45:5) was not something Joseph realised just at the family reunion but an understanding developed by putting his trust in God and seeing God’s purpose unfold.

When Joseph arrived in Egypt he was taken into the house of Potiphar the Egyptian captain. His behaviour as a slave was exemplary. No slovenly, could-not-care-less attitude; no doing just the minimum; complete honesty and reliability in all things were his hallmark. When Paul wrote to the Ephesians he said that servants should be “obedient to . . . masters . . . with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ” (Eph. 6:5). Here is the forerunner of such advice: Joseph. The Genesis record describes on two occasions how his masters had complete trust and faith in him. Of Potiphar it says that “he left all that he had in Joseph’s hand; and he knew not ought he had, save the bread which he did eat” (Gen. 39:6), and the keeper of the prison “looked not to any thing that was under his hand” (v. 23). Here is the way for young people truly witness to their faith.

Life would have been fairly good for Joseph in Potiphar’s household, left to run things the way he desired, until Potiphar’s wife set her sights on him. We know the account in Genesis 39 well. The lessons for today are very powerful. Here was Joseph, a slave, a long way from home in this foreign land. Perhaps he was handsome. (The word “goodly” means ‘beautiful’, ‘attractive’: Gen. 39:6.) Certainly he was a confident, assured person, even though he had had the set-back of being sold into slavery. What he was being asked to do in this immoral relationship with his master’s wife may have been acceptable in Egyptian society. He could have justified going along with it on the grounds that he was a slave, or that he should not do anything to jeopardise his position. After all, he could have thought, what harm will it do? No one will know, and she will get bored soon enough and leave me alone. Joseph accepted none of these excuses. The world’s practices and standards were no concern of his. His principles and standards were set by God. His conduct was a matter between himself and God. He did not say, “How can I do this thing and sin against Potiphar?”, or, “. . . and sin against society?”, or, “. . . sin against what my father taught me?”. He said: “how then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” (Gen. 39:9).

Here is the real lesson this young man had learnt. The way of life has been set out by God. When we turn from that way, especially in relationships with one another, regardless of whether our actions appear to have harmful effects on the-person or not, we are committing a sin against God Himself. That is how we must judge our conduct. Is it in accord with God’s decrees? Although slaves were expected to do whatever masters commanded, Joseph would not compromise his heavenly principles.

The problem existed for some time. She continually attempted to seduce him. Note Joseph’s course of action.

This is how we should react to sin, to those situations where sin’s temptation is so obviously present (Gen. 39:10-12). Joseph described the temptation as a “great wickedness”. I doubt if his contemporaries thought that: I doubt if people in the world today would consider such a situation as great wickedness. It does not matter what the world thinks. “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD” (Isa. 55:8). For his faithfulness Joseph is put into prison. What a reward! we may think; but it is through prison that Joseph is finally to be brought to the palace, from Potiphar’s house to Pharaoh’s.

One might feel that the best years of Joseph’s life were wasted, as a slave and as a prisoner. Yet in all these experiences he was being prepared for the work of salvation he was to undertake. Living more than 1,500 years before Christ, and at least 200 years before Moses passed on God’s law, Joseph shows that God-fearing people have always had principles and practices which will guide their daily life and reflect to others their faith in the living God. When finally presented to Pharaoh he is able to talk of his God, to show that the Most High does rule in the kingdom of men (Gen. 41:16,38,39).

Although carried captive at only seventeen years and unjustly persecuted, his behaviour marked him out for high office at all times. He knew he served a God Who had a purpose with His people, therefore he lived a pure life in a corrupt society. He was a “goodly” person who had his heart set on the promises, so that, although he became ruler of Egypt, he instructed his descendants to take his bones to the Promised Land. The day of resurrection will undoubtedly bring more tears of joy from this faithful man at the union of Christ (whom he foreshadowed in his work of deliverance) and the faithful saints. “Goodly” (beautiful, attractive) was the description of Joseph, but his beauty in the sight of God was not his physical appearance; for the Lord looks “not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature”, but, as the Scripture tells us, “the LORD looketh on the heart” (1 Sam. 16:7). May the beauty of our youth and of our life in Christ be a heart that accepts whatever life brings, knowing that it is God who wills, and that we are not prepared to compromise the principles we have espoused, for it is these that will “preserve life” as Joseph so clearly shows.

TREVOR MAHER

Josiah holds a unique position among those who were kings of God’s people, for Scripture records no adverse comment on his character or reign. Although he was obviously not perfect, nor sinless, God has chosen only to record the zeal of this young man who became king at eight years of age and died in battle at thirty-nine years. “And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD [Yahweh] with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him” (2 Kgs. 23:25).

Josiah came to the throne of Judah some eighty years after the ten-tribe Kingdom of Israel had been carried away by Assyria. He followed two exceedingly wicked kings—Manasseh and Amon, the latter being his own father. Such was the character of Josiah, however, that the Scriptures state that he “walked in all the way of David his father” (2 Kgs. 22:2; 2 Chron. 34:2), indicating that his heart and mind were not influenced by his natural parent or grandparent but by those who were godly.

Josiah was a child of promise. Some 340 years earlier, in the time of Jeroboam, a prophet had declared that he would be raised up to bring judgement upon the idolatrous people and their practices (1 Kgs. 13:1,2). His name means ‘Yahweh his foundation’, and so we see that his life was built upon God’s principles and practices. He was only eight years of age when he inherited the throne, so it is obvious that the close circle of associates who educated and trained him, and took decisions in his name, were godly people. These included Jedidah, his mother, Shaphan the scribe (secretary of state), Hilkiah the high priest and Zephaniah the prophet. As Josiah grew, this circle of companions was not neglected, and those who were the children of his older counsellors became his associates (Ahikam son of Shaphan: 2 Kgs. 22:12). Here is a sound lesson in the choice of companions: being young does not mean one has to avoid the aged!—and young companions from faithful families will often be able to support and encourage one in faithful behaviour.

Josiah had a zeal and enthusiasm for God’s ways, and this was manifested from the age of sixteen years, when it seems he was actively making decisions and exercising his authority in a godly way. (It also seems that this is when he married and started having children of his own. Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when Josiah died at thirty-nine years; 2 Kgs. 23:31.) The record states: “while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father” (2 Chron. 34:3); and we see that over a four-year period he built up a desire for and understanding of what God wanted, so that at twenty years of age he started to make dramatic changes in the nation’s manner of worship. He led from the front; he did not just issue instructions to destroy the idols, images, and trappings of idolatry, he turned up to make sure it happened and actively took part himself (2 Chron. 34:3-5). His whole-heartedness can be seen in that he did not restrict his work of purging to Judah, but went also into the area of Israel; and even where there were only ruined cities left by Assyria he removed the traces of idolatry (2 Chron. 34:6; “mattocks” = ‘on their ruins’). He did not want to leave anything to influence people away from true worship.

At the age of twenty-six years he sent a party of trusted associates to start the work of restoring the temple. For six years he had been unceasing in his work for God. What a remarkable example for any young person today, as well as those of us who are much older than twenty-six! While restoring the temple they found a copy of the law—the first five books, Genesis to Deuteronomy. Josiah’s understanding of God’s will and ways up to then, it appears, had come from his family and close friends—another example of the wisdom of choosing and listening to wise companions. Now that the Word of God is read to him he is able to listen and see what God has set before His people; we are told that he rent his clothes, his heart was “tender”, and he humbled himself before God (2 Kgs. 22:19). “Tender” means ‘softened’; he was concerned about Jerusalem and the nation, not just himself (2 Kgs. 22:13). Hearing the Word of God spured him to renewed efforts to stamp out idolatry, to a re-affirmation of his commitment to follow God’s commandment, and to reintroduce the Passover.

One expression in Scripture sums up the dedication of Josiah above all others: “. . . and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left” (2 Kgs. 22:2). This expression is found in Deuteronomy 17:18-20 regarding the duty of kings to write, read, and follow the law of God.

There can be little doubt that Josiah followed these principles and so reflected the meaning of his name, ‘Yahweh his foundation’. The Word of God brought about humility in him (2 Chron. 34:19) and a desire to bring others to salvation, which he expressed in the efforts to purge out idolatry. His desire to worship God correctly is witnessed in the wonderful Passover he commanded to be kept (2 Chron. 35). This Passover surpassed any that had been held since the Judges, throughout all the years of the kings of Israel and Judah, a period of between 900 and 1,000 years. It was held within a year of finding the law and receiving the message from Huldah the prophetess. Just read through 2 Kings 23 and see what this young man achieved in a matter of months—aided and encouraged by his young and old companions.

Who among us could say that at twenty-six years we would be able, or were able, to undertake such a task? Even more important, who wants to be zealous in setting his own life in order and so lead from the front in encouraging others? It was this zeal that led Josiah to be wholehearted, to show in his life how the law could be lived. Jesus said that the first commandment is: “thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart . . . soul . . . mind . . . strength . . . And the second is . . . love thy neighbour as thyself” (Mk. 12:28-32). In the record of Scripture we see Josiah fulfilling this first commandment himself (2 Chron. 34:31) and the second in his attitude to his people (Jer. 22:15,16).

It seems sad that one of the nation’s greatest kings should die at the relatively young age of thirty-nine years. It is interesting to note that when he was twenty-six years old, and the book of the law was discovered, the message from the prophetess to him was: “I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil . . .” (2 Kgs. 22:20). This is virtually a declaration from God that He would bring about the death of Josiah before the judgements from the north were unleashed. The reassuring thing for Josiah was that his uprightness would ensure he would die “in peace”. I would suggest that this does not mean during a time of peace, or that he would die at home in bed, because as we know he died in battle. Rather it could mean that he would be ‘at peace’, in unity, which is what peace means, with God.

In going to battle with Pharaoh-nechoh (who was going to aid Assyria against Babylon, not to fight Assyria, long-time enemy of God’s people [see 2 Kgs. 23:29, RSV]), Josiah went unwittingly to his death. Both Assyria and Egypt were to be vanquished to allow Babylon to bring the judgements of God on Judah and the beginning of the times of the Gentiles.

If Josiah heeded Huldah’s message concerning his own end, he would realise that he did not know when his death would be, so there would of necessity be a sense of urgency in his life, in his work. The same should be for all young people; life will not always be three score and ten. Josiah took every day as a blessing from God and put it to God’s service.

Josiah’s “goodness” (2 Chron. 35:26) was recorded and his death lamented by the nation. Truly his example of mercy, truth and goodness exhibited in his wholehearted zeal for God’s ways showed what was possible—even the character of God Himself—in the life of a young man (see Ex. 34:6): “no king [like Josiah, either] before him . . . [or] after him” (2 Kgs. 23:25). A lesson for us all, whatever our age, is the life of this young man who foreshadowed Christ.

TREVOR MAHER