Sadly, after Josiah died, there was no king of Judah who helped the people live before God. With no one to pray for God’s people, events moved rapidly toward the judgment that was coming because of Judah’s idolatry. Judah began to be subject to the nations around her, starting with Egypt, who dethroned Josiah’s son Jehoahaz and put his brother Jehoiakim on the throne (2-4). Then the Babylonians came, led by King Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar captured Jehoiakim and his son Jehoiachin, defiled the temple, and made Zedekiah his puppet king (6-11). Zedekiah attempted to rebel against Nebuchadnezzar, but when he did not listen to God’s word, he could not succeed (12).

What could an ordinary person in Judah do in such times? Most of them simply followed their leaders in becoming more and more unfaithful (14). But we know that there were a few who remained faithful, praying and preserving the knowledge of God’s word. We know that because we are reading this Bible passage! They seemed to be powerless in the face of world events, but they were used greatly by God to prepare the next phase of his world salvation work.
Application: Father, thank you that there is something I can do even in the most evil times. Help me not to follow the pattern of this world but be one light in the darkness.
One Word: Be faithful to the end