“Go, inquire 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…” 2 Kings 22:13
In Matthew’s gospel, when the Lord Jesus was speaking of the “coming of the Son of Man,” His return to the earth to set up His kingdom, He spoke of impending judgment “as in the days of Noah.” (24:37) One of the things that is so blatantly clear about these days preceding the flood, was the attitude of the people. First, we discover in Genesis that their mindset was totally in opposition to God, for “…every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.” (Gen. 6:5) Because of man’s total rejection of God, a blindness had set it, and a total lack of sensitivity with regard to what was coming. It must be said that God had raised up Noah, a preacher of righteousness, who proclaimed to the people the word of God until they would hear no more. The Lord Jesus tells us that his coming will be in a similar context as that of the days preceding the flood: “For as in the days that were before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered into the ark.” (Matt. 24:38) God had fixed a time, an hour, an event, the closing of the door of the ark, to signal the beginning of the manifestation of His wrath. From that point on, nothing would deter God from destroying every living thing on the earth by water. What then is the difference between the judgement of God at the flood, and the resolved, determined judgement of God upon Judah because of the sins of Manassah? Is there any place, any room, for mercy? In the days of Noah, God’s mercy was revealed in the saving of Noah and his family. In the days of Josiah, he was spared, and those who were of like-mind with him. A time of grace was given even though the judgement of God would not be deterrred forever. His wrath would be deferred for a time because of the heart of a man who truly sought Him. Could this be true of a people, a city, an individual?
When Jonah was sent by God to the city of Ninevah, the capital of the Assyrian empire, that arch-enemy of Israel and Judah, he was sent with a message of hope and mercy. God, who sees and knows, the hearts and minds of men, saw in the people of Ninevah a certain receptivity to the mercy of God. He knew that if His message was preached at the right time, by the one of His chosing, there would be a response which would defer the judgement of God upon the city. Jonah also knew this, but had a bias in his heart against the Assyrians, as he wanted them to be judged and destroyed by God, and this because of the suffering that they had imposed upon Israel and Judah. But there was hope for the Assyrians as they had not shut up their hearts entirely to God. The gracious God of Jonah, merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, (who) and repentest Thee of the evil,” waited to show mercy, defer judgement, so that many could be saved. Ninevah would be eventually destroyed, and apparently removed from the earth. But, because of the preaching of Jonah, and the repentance of the people toward’s God, they would experience God’s mercy, the deferring of His judgement, for a time.
So, what is the lesson that we learn from the God of Josiah? First, it is always according to His word that we discover that which He will do, either with regard to blessing or judgement. Secondly, where there is receptivity towards God, there is always hope. He gives repentance, and grace, to the one who will truly seek Him. Thirdly, there is mercy for the seeking soul.
Dear Father, Our hearts appeal to Thy mercy. In Jesus’ name, Amen.