II CHRONICLES 35

This chapter is about Josiah.  He makes a passover like none other in Israel's history.  It gives the details of what took place and several insights.  Here are a few: 1) ENCOURAGED THEM- This is what Josiah did to the priest according to verse 2.  He encouraged them.  We can do more for the cause of Jesus Christ by encouraging people than critiquing them.  Why not look for ways to encourage people today?  It will help them tremendously and help us become the Christians God has for us to become. 2) PREPARATION- Before the passover was performed, the priest "prepared" themselves.  Not only should we prepare ourselves by having the sermon thought out, having the lesson thought out and written out to share, but we should prepare our hearts to share the message.  Time spent in preparation is time well spent.  The priest prepared themselves according the the division of families that Moses and Aaron had set up.  Notice they kept the old ways because it was the right way!  3) GREAT DAY!  Verse 18, tells us that "there was no passover like to that kept in Israel from the days of Samuel the prophet; neither did all the kings of Israel keep such a passover as Josiah kept".  What a great day!  This was in Josiah's eighteenth year of his reign, which made him 26 years of age.  A young man serving God.... what a treat to behold! 4) NECHO... GOD'S INSTRUMENT?  Yes, Necho, king of Egypt came by Israel to fight by the Euphrates at Carchemish.  Josiah went out to battle against him because he came close to Israel to do so.  Necho said this: "God commanded me to make haste:  forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not."  WOW!!  Could it be that the Exodus helped the following pharaohs look to the one real God?  Perhaps, but we do know that Necho looked to God and obeyed His voice.  Josiah would not back down, and met his death as a result.  So... the moral of the story is.... We had best listen to God's Word, even when we don't like the source (or preacher)!  Preaching is not about style but content!  If it is God's Word being preached.... accept it even if you don't care for the messenger.  Hope you have a blessed day today.  It is beautiful in Oregon and going to get up to the high seventies.  God is good!   Pastor Mike Mutchler