Joel M Bradshaw

20After all this, when Josiah had prepared the temple, Neco king of Egypt went up to fight at Carchemish on the Euphrates, and Josiah went out to meet him. 21But he sent envoys to him, saying, “What have we to do with each other, king of Judah? I am not coming against you this day, but against the house with which I am at war. And God has commanded me to hurry. Cease opposing God, who is with me, lest he destroy you.”–2 Chronicles 35

1. Josiah was a good king who cared about the things of God.
2. But good king Josiah ended his life in an odd fashion.
3. This was a rare time that a powerful enemy did NOT want to fight and conquer Judah or Israel.
4. This text also gives evidence that God even works His sovereign plan using pagans and politics.
5. I wonder why Neco had to hurry as he passed through Judah on the way to fight his northern enemy.
6. Neco of Egypt does give us the possibility that a person could think they are doing the right thing, but actually are opposing God’s plan.
7. Josiah thought he was right to fight a battle that was not commanded by God. This is why studying the Bible is important and discussing it with trusted mentors in your life.–JMB