A Momentary Lapse

Passage: 2 Chronicles 35:20-25

In the middle of a long string of bad kings, Josiah is a shining exception. In fact, Josiah turns out to be the last God-fearing king of Judah. In the course of his thirty-year reign, Josiah rids his nation of idols, rejuvenates the temple, and reinstates the worship life of his people. Josiah does everything right, and God looks on him with favor. It therefore comes as a shock when Josiah’s life is cut short prematurely. How his death comes about is an even greater shock.

Josiah receives word that Pharaoh Neco of Egypt is going to war against an unnamed enemy at Carchemish. Perhaps because Carchemish feels a little close to home, or perhaps because he is just in the mood for a fight, Josiah decides to suit up and meet Neco in battle. When Josiah and his troops arrive at the front, Neco sends for him. “What are you doing?”, he says. “My quarrel’s not with you. Besides,” he adds, “Your God has told me to hurry up and get the job done here. Stop slowing me down, or God will destroy you.”

Now you can see why Josiah would disregard this last part of the message. After all, the last person God would use as a messenger is the Pharaoh of Egypt. Besides, Josiah’s really itching to use his new battle gear, so he disguises himself and wades into the fray.

Josiah discovers the hard way that God can speak through whomever God wants. As a stray arrow pierces Josiah’s chest, he realizes the gravity of his momentary lapse. Josiah the man of God allows himself to be distracted – not much; not for long; but just enough to drown out the sound of God’s voice. And that’s all it takes. This is his undoing.

This story reminds us of two things. First, it reminds us that the characters we encounter in the Bible are not monolithic. They’re complex human beings who change over time and whose flaws are always close to the surface. Second, it reminds us of how easily our own urges and instincts crowd out the impulse to follow God’s will. It only takes a momentarily lapse to lead us dangerously astray. We’re all vulnerable, and the only safeguard is to stay as close to God’s word and as open to God’s voice as we can.