Episode 54: Hearing God through the Bible and how it can change us.

Aug 25, 2024 | 0 comments

Episode Description:

Josiah became King when he was eight years old. He didn’t have the family heritage of following God, yet he heard God and followed Him. Josiah did what was right in the eyes of God. The story of Josiah is a reminder to have a ‘backbone’ and stand up and be God’s person where He’s placed us. Join us in this latest episode of the ‘Hearing God’ Podcast as we look at how Josiah in the Bible heard from God.

Episode Notes:

Background to Josiah:

  • We read about Josiah in 2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35, around the time of Jeremiah.
  • In 2 Kings 20, Josiah’s great-grandfather was Hezekiah, a good king who did right in the eyes of the Lord until near the end of his life. He became proud. Hezekiah also became ill, and God answered his prayers and added 15 years to his life.
  • In 2 Kings 21:19-26, we read how Manasseh, Hezekiah’s son and Josiah’s grandfather, was King of Judah and did evil in the eyes of the Lord. He sacrificed his son in the fire, practised witchcraft, and consulted mediums and evil sources. Then, his son Amon was appointed King, but he completely followed the ways of his father. He forsook the Lord, the God of his ancestors, and did not walk in obedience to him. Verse 23 Amon’s officials conspired against him and assassinated the King in his palace. Then, the people of the land killed all who had plotted against King Amon, making Josiah his son King in his place.
  • 2 Kings 22:1 Josiah was eight years old when he became King of Judah between 640-609 BC. Can you imagine?
  • He was King for 31 years until he made a stupid decision not to inquire of the Lord but to take matters into his own hands.
  • Josiah had the courage to do what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
  • Josiah repaired the Temple of God, and the book of the Law was found during that time (at least Deuteronomy, if not the whole first five books of the Old Testament.)
  • 2 Kings 22:20 – The prophetess Huldah, a relative of Jeremiah, prophesied that Josiah would be buried in peace. But Josiah did the wrong thing that short-circuited his life.
  • Their world was in a state of heightened political turmoil. The Assyrian Empire, the superpower to the northeast, was disintegrating, and the Babylonians were taking over. They had captured Ninevah (the story of Jonah in episode 53).
  • Egypt was to the south of Judah, and their Pharoah Necho 2 saw this as an opportunity to assert their influence and power and capture land and people groups. Necho requests permission from Josiah to pass through Judah on the way to fight the Babylonians, saying they would leave the Israelites in peace. They just want to pass through. Instead, Josiah makes a terrible decision without inquiring of the Lord and goes out to fight Necho. In 2 Chronicles 35:20-21, we see Necho sending a message to Josiah saying, “What quarrel is there, King of Judah, between you and me? It is not you I am attacking at this time, but the house with which I am at war. God has told me to hurry; so stop opposing God, who is with me, or he will destroy you.”
  • In a moment of recklessness, Josiah then disguises himself and fights, gets shot with an arrow and dies. His son was appointed King and did evil. Egypt had captured Judah, deposed the King, and appointed his brother as King, who again did evil.
  • Josiah hadn’t brought up his sons to obey and honour God, and Josiah perhaps went a tad lukewarm towards the end of his life and lost his fervour for God.
  • Sometimes, good people make bad mistakes, and sometimes, it can be easy to stop seeking God.

First Principle: We can hear God through the Bible.

  • In 2 Kings 22, we read how Josiah ordered the repair of the Temple of the Lord. The high Priest dusted off some stuff and found the Book of the Law. Obviously, this high Priest hadn’t been doing his job.
  • Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”

Second Principle: Hearing God changes us.

  • 2 Kings 22:11 and 2 Chronicles 34 – when the King heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes. This meant he was in deep sorrow and mourning and repentance.
  • He renewed the covenant with God by pledging to obey the Lord and all his commands. He renewed all the articles of worship to Baal, got rid of all idols and temple prostitutes, etc.
  • Josiah did what was right in the eyes of the Lord. He didn’t follow his family or culture. You can’t blame your circumstances or upbringing on you not doing the right thing.
  • Hearing the Word of God convicts and brings repentance.
  • Word of caution – hearing God one time doesn’t mean you don’t keep seeking him all the time. Keep close to God.

Third Principle: Any person can hear God, no matter what age.

  • Josiah didn’t have the family heritage of following God, yet heard God and followed Him.
  • Kids can hear God.

Summary:

  1. We can hear God through the Bible.
  2. Hearing God changes us.
  3. Any person can hear God, no matter what age.

Prophetic Activation:

Get comfortable and turn your heart and thoughts to Father God. Ask God to highlight a book of the Bible to read. Spend time reading that book until you feel God is speaking to you through the Bible.

Time Stamps:

[0:39] – Gary & Jane share briefly how they have heard God this week.

[3:18] – Background to the story of Josiah.

[10:05] – First Principle: We can hear God through the Bible.

[12:37] – Second Principle: Hearing God changes us.

[15:19] – Third Principle: Any person can hear God, regardless of age.

[17:42] – Recap the principles.

[18:12] – Prophetic activation.

[19:24] – Gary & Jane both share a prophetic word for a listener.

[21:51] – Gary prays for you.

Resources / Links Mentioned:

Bible Verses Mentioned:

  • 2 Kings 22-23
  • 2 Chronicles 34-35
  • 2 Kings 21:19-26
  • Hebrews 4:12
  • 2 Timothy 3:16-17
  • Jeremiah 1:1-10

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