Today's reading was wild, again a tale of the contrast between the obedience of Josiah and others who led during this time just before the Babylonian exile. As I was reading I found a few places that we may find value in digging a bit deeper together. Let's just toss out a few questions for example. We know that Josiah tore down the symbols of idolotry and worship of false gods. Apparently at that time, things had gotten so out of hand that there was male prostitute shrine in the very temple of the one true God--crazy stuff.
Anyway, a question: Why is it important that Josiah did this?
10 He desecrated Topheth, which was in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, so no one could use it to sacrifice their son or daughter in the fire to Molek. 1 Kings 23:10 (Hint: What is the Valley of Hinnom?)
Do some digging and tell us what you think kn the comments.
Another question: Does verse 25 of chater 23 remind you of anything? (Dig, a bit here.)
After Josiah we move into the time of the Babylonian conquest of Jerusalem. The next series of kings is defeated and made servants of Nebuchadnezer of Baylon. He took everything and everyone of value and added to the riches and skills of his own nation. There was a group of people who were spared this humiliating conquest, the poor:
14 He carried all Jerusalem into exile: all the officers and fighting men,and all the skilled workers and artisans—a total of ten thousand. Only the poorest people of the land were left.
Last one today: Why? Why were the poor left behind? Was it their faithfulness to God? "Blessed are the poor..." Was it that they held zero value in the eyes of the conquering nation? Was it both? What do you think about these questions? Feel free to add new thoughts or questions as well.
G&P2U, PD.