Day 211..."As kings go Josiah was good...Come on... join the party!"

Josiah is a good king. We read about his many reforms regarding idol worship. As we might say it..."he did a good housecleaning." He got rid of numerous distractions of worshiping God. Josiah is decribed as one who honored the Lord. His sudden death meant another era of bad kings. Isaiah paints the gloom of exile in an historical era compatible with II Kings. Assyria, Babylon,
and the Philistia nations are put on notice. Though Israel is in disarray and these nations have the upper hand...God will prevail. The "elder brother" was just as lost as his "younger brother." He was unable to celebrate with and for his brother. If we are unable to celebrate with others, we are missing part of the joy of the Kingdom of God. Joy awaits, in the Kingdom, those who know they are lost. Those who remain bitter will have to move beyond their bitterness to join the celebration. The good news is God awaits both the prodigal to come home and invites the elder to join the party!