2 Chronicles 35:22
Josiah, however, did not turn away from him; instead, in order to engage him in battle, he disguised himself. He did not listen to Neco's words from the mouth of God, but went to fight him on the Plain of Megiddo.
Josiah, however, did not turn away from him;
Josiah, the king of Judah, was known for his religious reforms and dedication to God. Despite his piety, he chose not to heed the warning from Pharaoh Neco of Egypt. This decision marks a significant moment in Josiah's reign, highlighting a departure from his usual adherence to divine guidance. The phrase suggests a deliberate choice to confront Neco, indicating a potential lapse in judgment or a misunderstanding of God's will.

instead, in order to engage him in battle, he disguised himself.
Josiah's decision to disguise himself is reminiscent of King Ahab's actions in 1 Kings 22:30, where Ahab also disguised himself in battle. This tactic was often used to protect a king from being targeted. However, it also reflects a lack of trust in God's protection. The act of disguise suggests a reliance on human strategy rather than divine intervention, which contrasts with Josiah's previous reliance on God.

He did not listen to Neco’s words from the mouth of God,
Pharaoh Neco claimed that his words were from God, which presents a theological challenge. It implies that God can use even foreign rulers to convey His will, as seen in other instances like Cyrus of Persia (Isaiah 45:1). Josiah's failure to recognize this divine message through Neco indicates a limitation in his discernment, possibly due to nationalistic pride or a misunderstanding of God's broader plan.

but went to fight him on the Plain of Megiddo.
The Plain of Megiddo, a strategic military location in ancient Israel, was the site of many significant battles. It is also prophetically significant, as it is associated with the future battle of Armageddon (Revelation 16:16). Josiah's choice to fight at Megiddo underscores the gravity of his decision and its historical consequences. This location serves as a backdrop for a pivotal moment in Judah's history, leading to Josiah's death and the eventual downfall of the kingdom.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Josiah
The King of Judah known for his religious reforms and dedication to God. Despite his faithfulness, he made a critical error in judgment by not heeding God's warning through Pharaoh Necho.

2. Pharaoh Necho
The Egyptian king who was on a campaign against the Assyrians. He warned Josiah not to interfere, claiming his mission was ordained by God.

3. Megiddo
A strategic location in ancient Israel where Josiah confronted Necho. It is historically significant as a site of many battles.

4. God’s Command
The divine instruction conveyed through Necho, which Josiah chose to ignore, leading to his downfall.

5. Disguise
Josiah's attempt to conceal his identity in battle, which reflects his determination but also his disregard for divine warning.
Teaching Points
Heeding Divine Warnings
Josiah's failure to listen to God's warning through Necho serves as a reminder of the importance of discerning and obeying divine guidance, even when it comes from unexpected sources.

The Danger of Pride
Josiah's decision to disguise himself and engage in battle reflects a prideful heart that led to his downfall. We must guard against pride and remain humble before God.

The Consequences of Disobedience
Disobedience to God's commands, even when they come through others, can lead to dire consequences. We should strive to align our actions with God's will.

The Importance of Discernment
Josiah's account teaches us the need for spiritual discernment to recognize God's voice, especially when it challenges our plans or desires.
Bible Study Questions
1. What can we learn from Josiah's decision to ignore the warning from Pharaoh Necho, and how can we apply this lesson in our own lives when faced with divine warnings?

2. How does the account of Josiah at Megiddo compare to other biblical accounts of leaders who failed to heed God's instructions, and what are the common themes?

3. In what ways can pride lead us away from God's will, and how can we cultivate humility to prevent this?

4. How can we develop better discernment to recognize when God is speaking to us through unexpected sources or people?

5. Reflect on a time when you faced a decision that required obedience to God. What was the outcome, and how did it shape your faith journey?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Kings 22:29-34
The account of King Ahab, who also disguised himself in battle, leading to his death. This parallel highlights the futility of human plans against divine will.

Proverbs 16:18
This verse speaks to the theme of pride leading to destruction, which can be seen in Josiah's decision to ignore God's warning.

Romans 13:1-2
These verses emphasize the importance of submitting to authorities, which can be related to Josiah's failure to recognize God's authority through Necho.
The Death of JosiahT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 35:20-27
People
Aaron, Asaph, Charchemish, Conaniah, David, Hashabiah, Heman, Hilkiah, Jeduthun, Jehiel, Jeiel, Jeremiah, Josiah, Jozabad, Levites, Necho, Nethaneel, Samuel, Shemaiah, Solomon
Places
Carchemish, Egypt, Euphrates River, Holy Place, Jerusalem, Megiddo
Topics
Attention, Battle, Command, Didn't, Disguised, Engage, Face, Fight, Fighting, Forward, Giving, God's, Hearkened, However, Joined, Josiah, Josi'ah, Keeping, Listen, Megiddo, Megid'do, Mouth, Necho, Neco, Nevertheless, Order, Plain, Purpose, Round, Turn, Valley, War
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 35:20-22

     5920   pretence

2 Chronicles 35:20-24

     5837   disguise

2 Chronicles 35:21-22

     5925   rashness

Library
Cheer Up, My Comrades!
The first thing is to get every man into his proper place; the next thing is for every man to have a good spirit in his present place, so as to occupy it worthily. I will suppose, dear friends, that in the providence of God you are in your place, and that by the direction of God's Spirit you have also sought and found the precise form of usefulness in which you ought to exercise yourself. To-night it shall not be my business to arrange you; but assuming that it is well for you to keep where you are,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 26: 1880

The New Temple and Its Worship
'And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo: and they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. 15. And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king. 16. And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Importance in Luke's History of the Story of the Birth of Christ
IT needs no proof that Luke attached the highest importance to this part of his narrative. That Jesus was indicated from the beginning as the Messiah -- though not a necessary part of his life and work, and wholly omitted by Mark and only briefly indicated in mystical language by John -- was a highly interesting and important fact in itself, and could not fail to impress the historian. The elaboration and detail of the first two chapters of the Gospel form a sufficient proof that Luke recognized
Sir William Mitchell Ramsay—Was Christ Born in Bethlehem?

Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
"Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before Me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. Behold therefore, 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 which I will bring upon this place."--2 Kings
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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