Building a Culture of Life

2 Kings 22:11-13, 23:1-3, 10,24-25

Introduction: Have you ever built a home? I have and it is hard work, you make hundreds of decisions, and you enjoy it very much. Like a home, we are building a society that we will be passing on to our children. What type of culture are we helping to build?

In today lesson, Israel has been led by very wicked kings.

King Manasseh was known for idolatry, abominations and terror. It was written that under his reign the streets ran red with the blood of innocent people.

King Amon, Manasseh’s son had a short rule. He completely abandoned the worship of God. His own servants killed him.

Then came Josiah, the son of Amon. He ascended to the throne when he was eight years old. He did what was right in God’s eyes. While work was being done on the temple a scroll of scripture was found by the priest Hilkiah and brought to the king. Our lesson opens after King Josiah had heard the scripture read. He was afraid of what God would do to the people.

Follow the Blueprint 2 Kings 22:11-13 “11 And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.   12 And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king's, saying,   13 Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.”

1. Josiah had inherited a spiritually sick nation

2. He tore his clothes in anguish—he was ashamed

   1. He inquired about what should be done

   2. He inquired what they might expect from God and what they must provide for

3. He sent the greatest in the court, the first rank of the court to inquire. This put great honor on the prophet that they would visit. It was sign of respect for God.

4. NOTE: When we truly seek God there is nothing too good to be done to inquire of Him. We should hold back nothing to seek His will.

5. They went to Huldah, a prophetess

   1. Other prophetesses of Israel were Miriam, and Deborah who was married at the time.

   2. Huldah lived at the court, her husband was involved in the government

6. She foretold of judgment by God 

Encourage others involvement “ 2 Kings 23:1-3 “    1 And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.   2 And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD.   3 And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.”

1. Even though God said he would ruin Jerusalem, Josiah did not give up but called a meeting of all the leaders.

   1. Regardless of the outcome, Josiah decided he would do his personal duty anyway, and leave the outcome up to God

   2. NOTE: It was doing this duty to God regardless of the outcome that would move God to mercy for Josiah’s reign.

2. He called for them to meet him in the house of the Lord

3. He did not make great speeches but read the word himself

   1. He did not consider himself above reading the word

   2. NOTE: He did not let pride keep him from seeking God

4. They vowed to follow God’s commandments with all their hearts and souls

Protect Children’s well-being 2 Kings 23:10 “10 And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech” 

1. Topeth was located near the city’s dump

2. Josiah defiled or destroyed so the children could no longer be sacrificed

   1. They beat drums during the burning so the shrieks of the children could not be heard

   2. There was much use of drugs and alcohol during the ceremonies

3. This is a warning regarding abortion, to kill a defenseless child

Keep your heart in it 2 Kings 23:24-25 “24 Moreover the workers with familiar spirits, and the wizards, and the images, and the idols, and all the abominations that were spied in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away, that he might perform the words of the law which were written in the book that Hilkiah the priest found in the house of the LORD.   25 And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.”

1. V. 24 He killed those that had practice abominable worship and cleansed the country by removing their presence permanently

2. V. 25 Josiah’s’ reign was one of prosperity and spiritual growth in Jerusalem.

Conclusion: And so it is when we adhere to God’s commands, we build lives and in turn build societies that God can bless.