King Josiah reigned towards the final days of Judah's existence prior to the Babylonian captivity, and he was one of the best kings Judah ever had. It was in his days that the temple was repaired and the law of God recovered. It was in his days that the land had real revival and observed the Passover feast like never before.
In chapter 23 of 2 Kings, King Josiah is purging the nation of its idolatry. And it's a really fun chapter to read. The chapter is listing all the images, groves, altars, etc. that Josiah broken down. We'll pick it up in verse 13.
And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile.
Solomon, the young king who asked God for wisdom above all else…built a high place for Ashtoreth. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, the man who wrote 3,000 proverbs and 1,500 songs…built a high place for Chemosh. Solomon, the man who was responsible for the construction of God's temple in Jerusalem…built a high place for Milcom before the city gates.
How sad it is to read and be reminded of such a double-minded man (James 1:8). On one hand, he served the Lord. On another, he followed all the abominations of the heathen. He was a member of the Hebrew nation, God's chosen and special people. Yet he acted just like the people of the nations round about.
It was hundreds of years later before Josiah came on the scene. And what did he have to do? He had to repair the house of the Lord…because it had been ignored and desecrated for so many years. And he had to break down Solomon's high places…because the people were entrenched in their idolatry.
Young person, your halting between 2 opinions (1 Kings 18:21) will eventually catch up to you. Solomon died a man who had and experienced it all, but was unable to see the meaning or significance of any of it (Ecclesiastes – all is vanity). And Solomon's double-minded ways not only affected his life, they harmed his nation for hundreds of years.
A Christian ought not follow the fads and fashions of the world. A Christian shouldn't be excited about the things that the devil's children are excited about. A Christian should devote his time and energy to something different than the lost man does. Our lives ought to be wholly dedicated to the pursuit of God's pleasure, of His will.
What has a "high place" in your life today? What's most important to you? What occupies your mind? Where are your priorities focused? Around what are your activities centered? May Psalm 86:11 be our prayer today.
Teach my thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name.
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