2 Chronicles 35:22 – “Josiah, however, would not turn away from him, but disguised himself to engage him in battle. He would not listen to what Necho had said at God’s command but went to fight him on the plain of Megiddo.”
Extended Explanation of the Verse
This verse describes a pivotal moment in the life of King Josiah. Despite being warned by Pharaoh Necho, who claimed to be acting under God’s direction, Josiah refused to listen and went into battle against him. Josiah even disguised himself, perhaps to protect his identity or to avoid attracting attention. Nevertheless, his decision to ignore the message from Necho, which was given under God’s command, ultimately led to his tragic death.
The verse highlights Josiah’s stubbornness in this instance. Despite his previous record of faithfulness to God, here he acted on his own will, seemingly ignoring the possibility that Necho’s message could have been genuinely from God. Josiah’s choice to fight at Megiddo, without seeking further confirmation from God, led to serious consequences for himself and the nation of Judah.
Historical Context
At this point in history, the political landscape was rapidly changing. The Assyrian Empire was crumbling, and Babylon was rising as a dominant power. Pharaoh Necho of Egypt was marching north to assist the Assyrians in their battle against Babylon. This conflict was not directly related to Judah, but King Josiah decided to intervene, likely in an effort to prevent Egypt from gaining more influence or control in the region.
Josiah’s decision to confront Necho was out of character, as he had previously been a faithful king who sought God’s guidance. His earlier reign was marked by religious reforms and a return to the worship of God, but in this moment, he acted without seeking divine direction. The battle at Megiddo would ultimately cost Josiah his life, signaling the end of his reign and leading to a period of decline for Judah.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights the importance of listening to God’s warnings and seeking His guidance in all decisions. Josiah, despite being a godly and reforming king, ignored a clear message that was said to be from God. This shows that even those who are otherwise faithful can fall into the trap of relying on their own understanding rather than seeking God’s will in every situation.
It also emphasizes the danger of acting out of pride or self-reliance. Josiah’s decision to disguise himself suggests that he might have been trying to take matters into his own hands, rather than trusting in God. This serves as a warning that even the most faithful leaders can make serious mistakes when they fail to seek God’s direction or when they ignore clear signs of His guidance.
Literary Analysis
This verse is rich in dramatic tension. The phrase “he would not listen to what Necho had said at God’s command” draws attention to Josiah’s deliberate disobedience, highlighting the seriousness of his choice. The detail of Josiah disguising himself adds to the sense of impending tragedy, as it suggests that Josiah knew he was taking a significant risk but proceeded anyway.
The mention of the “plain of Megiddo” is also significant. Megiddo was a site of many important battles in biblical history, and it carries connotations of conflict and judgment. The decision to fight at Megiddo, despite the warning from God, sets the stage for Josiah’s downfall and serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of disobedience.
Relevant Biblical Cross-References
- Proverbs 16:18: “Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.” This verse speaks to the dangers of pride and self-reliance, which seem to play a role in Josiah’s decision to go into battle despite the warning.
- 1 Samuel 15:22-23: Samuel rebukes King Saul for disobedience, emphasizing that “to obey is better than sacrifice.” Like Saul, Josiah’s disobedience led to serious consequences.
- Isaiah 31:1: Warns against relying on human power, like Egypt, rather than seeking God’s will. Josiah ignored this principle by engaging in a conflict that was not part of God’s plan for him.
- Matthew 26:39: Jesus, in the Garden of Gethsemane, submits to God’s will, saying, “Not my will, but yours be done.” This contrasts with Josiah’s decision to pursue his own will rather than seek God’s direction.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse serves as a reminder of the importance of seeking God’s guidance in every situation. Even when we think we know the right course of action, it’s crucial to stop and seek God’s will, rather than relying solely on our own understanding or desires. Josiah’s downfall teaches us that even the most faithful followers of God are susceptible to making costly mistakes when they act without divine direction.
The verse also challenges us to pay attention to the ways God might be speaking to us, even through unexpected sources. Necho was a foreign king, yet his message was from God. Sometimes, God’s warnings and guidance may come from people or places we don’t expect, and it’s important to remain humble and attentive to His leading.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
God’s love is evident in this verse through His warning to Josiah. Even though the message came from Necho, a foreign king, it was still a message from God intended to protect Josiah from making a disastrous decision. God’s desire was for Josiah to avoid unnecessary conflict and harm, and the warning was an act of grace meant to guide Josiah away from danger.
This verse reminds us that God’s love includes providing guidance and correction. When we stray from His will, He often gives us opportunities to turn back, just as He did with Josiah. However, if we ignore His warnings, there can be serious consequences—not because God’s love has failed, but because we have chosen to go our own way.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
This verse connects to Jesus Christ in the way it contrasts Josiah’s disobedience with Jesus’ perfect obedience to the Father. Where Josiah ignored a message from God and pursued his own will, Jesus submitted fully to God’s will, even when it led to the cross. Jesus is the ultimate example of obedience and trust in God’s plan, and His obedience brought salvation to all who believe in Him.
Jesus also teaches us the importance of seeking God’s will in every situation. In His ministry, Jesus frequently withdrew to pray and seek the Father’s guidance, showing us that even in difficult or confusing situations, our first response should be to turn to God and align our will with His.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- What can we learn from Josiah’s decision to ignore Necho’s message? How does this challenge us to seek God’s will in our own decisions?
- How do we sometimes act like Josiah, relying on our own understanding or desires instead of seeking God’s direction?
- Why is it important to remain open to God’s guidance, even when it comes from unexpected or unlikely sources?
- How does Josiah’s mistake contrast with Jesus’ obedience to the Father, and what can we learn from Jesus’ example in our own lives?
- How does this passage remind us of God’s love and desire to protect us, even when we are tempted to go our own way?
This verse from 2 Chronicles 35:22 teaches us the importance of seeking God’s will and listening to His guidance, no matter the situation. It challenges us to trust in God’s wisdom rather than relying on our own understanding and reminds us that God’s love often comes in the form of warnings meant to protect us. Ultimately, it points us to Jesus Christ, whose perfect obedience to God’s will provides the ultimate example of how we are to live in relationship with our Heavenly Father.