Two Good Kings
If you read through 2 Chronicles, especially in one sitting, you will notice a refrain that runs throughout the book. As new kings are introduced, something to the effect of “He did not do what was right in the Lord’s sight like his ancestor David…” (see 2 Chronicles 28:1) will often be recorded.
The writer wants these two kings of Judah to stand out to us from the start. He wants us to recognize there was something different about them—that they were not like all the other kings. These were two kings who wanted to do what was right—they wanted to lead God’s people back to God.
If you read these two sections, you will see that these two kings did, for the most part, bring about revival in the land. They cleansed, renewed, and repaired the temple. They led the people to worship and recognize the covenant promises they had made to God. These were two good kings. These were just the kings God’s people needed, right?
Not quite.
A People Still Spiraling toward Judgment
While both Hezekiah and Josiah received glowing accolades for their respective reigns, neither were perfect in leading God’s people. Hezekiah would struggle with pride near the end of his reign (2 Chronicles 32). Josiah would make what was at least an unwise, perhaps ungodly as well, decision to attack Egypt (2 Chronicles 35). To be fair, these incidents should not define either of their reigns. They are not remembered in Chronicles for these incidents, but rather for their positive deeds, so we should keep these blunders in proportion. But the fact remains that they both had issues to some degree.
But what is more telling is what happened not near the ends, but after each of their reigns.
Hezekiah was succeeded by Manasseh. Read 2 Chronicles 33:2 to see what kind of king he was. Manasseh was then succeeded by Amnon. His reign is summarized in 2 Chronicles 33:22.
Josiah reigned next, and he was followed by Jehoiakim. You can see what kind of king he was by reading 2 Chronicles 36:8.
Hezekiah and Josiah may have slowed God’s judgment from coming upon Judah, but they could not stop it. Judgment was coming upon this people as it had come upon Israel.
What’s the Point?
All of this takes us back to my struggles to help my kids with their homework. Remember, I want to help them. I try to help them. But in the end, no matter how much I may want to help and no matter how hard I try, there are times when I simply cannot help them. The need a better helper—a greater helper—one who understands what they are learning.
Both Hezekiah and Josiah wanted to help God’s people turn back to Him. And both took steps to lead that direction. That was right and fitting for them to do and we ought to credit them for their faithfulness. But in the end, neither was able to accomplish what they wanted because neither was qualified to do so. God’s people needed a better king, a greater king, a perfect king who would be able to change the people’s hearts, not just their behavior. That king, of course, would be King Jesus. This is what we learn from these accounts.
Most readers of this blog are kids teachers and perhaps parents. In both of those roles, we want to point our kids to the gospel. We want to help our kids trust in the gospel and live out the gospel. And there is much we can do—much we should do—to that end. But we have to remember this lesson from Hezekiah and Josiah: ultimately the spiritual well-being of our kids lies not in our hands, but rather in the hands of God. Let’s not be unnerved by this, but rather comforted by it. God’s hands are stronger than ours. God’s hands are surer than ours. Yes, we strive to be faithful to our calling—we are accountable for as much. But in the end, let’s not believe that we are the ones ultimately responsible to see revival break out in our kids lives. Just as in the days of Hezekiah and Josiah, that God’s prerogative.
Preschool Tip: Be sure to celebrate these two good kings this week. We have seen God’s people make many mistakes recently, and it is important that we covered this. However, our little ones need to see the times when God’s people did it right—even if not perfectly. Jesus is our true hero, but that does not mean we cannot celebrate how God used others as well (see Hebrews 11).
Kids Tip: This session offers a great opportunity to talk with your kids about having personal faith. Some of your kids might be living out a faith that is really not their own—it may be mostly their parents’ faith, or perhaps even your faith. This is a great time to talk with them about how we each need to hold our own faith—These two kings ultimately could not change the course of their people because that was an action only God could do. Encourage your kids to have a faith that is their own—one that has been implanted in their hearts from God.
-From Brian Dembowczyk at TGP website
#JesusJams for today!
CLICK HERE for this weeks story summary
Christ Connection: Hezekiah and Josiah loved God and wanted to obey Him. They wanted God’s people to love God and obey Him too. When Jesus came to earth, He obeyed the law perfectly.
If you have a bible at your house, turn to 2 Chronichles 29, 34-35. If you don't have one, that's okay! CLICK HERE and HERE
OPTION 1: Build with stones and wood If weather allows, go on a walk outside and encourage children to collect rocks and sticks. Bring preschoolers to a grassy area and invite them to work together to build a temple with the collected materials. If weather or space does not allow for going outside, collect rocks and sticks before the session to bring to class. SAY • The temple of God needed to be fixed. So Josiah collected money for the workers to buy stones and wood. The workers would fix up the temple and make it like new again. But like our temple made from rocks and sticks, Josiah’s temple of wood and stone wouldn’t last forever either. Sin breaks everything in this world. How did God plan to fix what sin broke? God planned to send Jesus.
OPTION 2: Match the commandments Game Print and cut apart the “Ten Commandments” cards. Lay the cards facedown in a grid. Keep the cards faceup for younger preschoolers. Invite preschoolers to take turns turning over two cards at a time to try to find a match. Read the commandment on each card as preschoolers flip them. Continue until all matches have been revealed. SAY •The Ten Commandments were part of the book of the law the high priest found. The people had not obeyed God commands for a long time. Hezekiah and Josiah led the people back to God. When Jesus came to earth, He obeyed the law perfectly.
OPTION 3: Hide the scroll Roll up a piece of light brown construction paper to look like a scroll. Use string to tie it closed. Hide the scroll somewhere in the room and task the kids with finding the hidden scroll. Whoever finds it may hide it for the second round. Play as time allows. SAY • Great job finding the scroll. Today we will learn about a time God’s people had lost the scrolls containing His law. They disobeyed because they did not know what God’s commands said. Thankfully, when the lost book of the law was found, a young king named Josiah led the people to obey God again. We’ll learn more soon.
Unit 15 Discussion:
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