Matthew 1:10 and Hezekiah the father of Manasseh, and Manasseh the father of Amos, and Amos the father of Josiah,
If you ever study the kings of Judah one thing becomes very clear – the heart of the king determines the heart of the people.
Bad king – bad people.
Good king – good people.
Manasseh was a bad king. He reversed all the reforms of his father Hezekiah. Baal and Asherah worship returned, even inside the temple in Jerusalem. Polytheism was not only allowed but encouraged. And worst of all, Manasseh joined in the evil cult of Molech, sacrificing his own son in the flame. Because of Manasseh’s wickedness the people of Judah also became wicked before God.
2 Kings 21:9. Manasseh led them astray to do more evil than the nations had done whom the Lord destroyed before the people of Israel.
Bad king – bad people
Josiah was a good king. Josiah “sought the God of his father David.” His reforms reduced pagan worship, restored Passover, and cleansed the Temple of Solomon. You may remember Josiah as the king who at 26 years old, found the Book of the Law while cleaning up the temple, and was moved in its reading to follow God with his whole heart. And as the heart of Josiah turned, so did the heart of the people.
2 Chronicles 34:30-32. 30 And the king went up to the house of the Lord, with all the…people both great and small. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant…31 And the king stood in his place and made a covenant before the Lord…32 Then he made all who were present in Jerusalem and in Benjamin join in it.
Good king – good people.
Christian, one thing you can be very sure of today is that you have a good king. In Christ, “Manasseh” has been removed from power and “Josiah” has taken his place. And just like Josiah, slowly and surely your heart is being changed. As we wait for the advent of King Jesus from Heaven to rule the earth physically, may he always be the king of our heart spiritually. As we think about the birth of Christ, may we remember that that humble baby in a manger is the lord of our lives who guides our hearts to follow God in his same humble submission. The humility of Josiah, the humility of Christ, now the humility that we share in him.
Questions.
Who is the king of your heart? How can you see King Jesus changing your heart to humbly serve God?
To Live is Christ 