I was reading today about Josiah, the king of Judah from 640-609 BC. The Bible (in 2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35) says he was only eight years old when he began to reign. And, unlike his father and grandfather before him, Josiah reigned with success, even distinction, for 31 years of spiritual renewal and reform. It says in 'The Story':
"During his reign the ancient Book of the Law of Moses was discovered after Josiah had ordered the run-down temple to be repaired, and Josiah followed its prescriptions zealously. He put his heart and soul into rediscovering for all the people God's way of living."
Can you imagine an eight-year-old king? I mean, we have a very immature President in the United States right now, but it would be hard to describe his 'reign' as a success, and with distinction.
This got me to thinking about how Josiah came to bring such a turnaround among God's people at such a young age (although it was actually God who did it through him). I didn't do a great deal of research but keep coming back to the difference between innocence and immaturity. They are not the same.
Merriam-Webster says of innocence: "freedom from guilt or sin through being unacquainted with evil; blamelessness; freedom from guile or cunning; simplicity."
The same source uses these words to describe immaturity: "exhibiting less than an expected degree of maturity; adolescent; juvenile."
Neither of these is necessarily associated with age. For instance, one can be innocent at any age; likewise immature. However, I would suggest innocence carries a more positive connotation, while immaturity a negative.
Taking Don Trump as an example, he is far from innocent, because he has long been tied to evil business practices and treatment of women and people in general. He is immature, though, in that one would expect someone in his position to be wiser and less prone to adolescent behavior.
Josiah, on the other hand, would seem to be just the opposite. While we don't really have any way of knowing for sure, you wouldn't think he'd have the success he had if he were immature. And, I wonder if his success wasn't more to do with his innocence! For two reasons.
First, since his father and grandfather were both dead, you would guess that his mother may have had a great deal of influence over the boy king. One might even wonder if she weren't 'in charge' in the early years of his reign. Perhaps in his youth (innocence), it allowed him to defer to her on many occasions. An older, less innocent king, would not likely have given his mother near as much influence (possibly).
Also, it is said that once the Law code was found, Josiah sought a word from the Lord through the prophetess Huldah. Again, a more aged man would likely have consulted the male prophets, but perhaps it was his youth that allowed Josiah to be more open to a female prophet. Which led to the removal of the high places, Asherah poles, carved idols, and cast images.
Again, I am only speculating here, but I think we have all seen how easy it is for men to become hardened and guarded as they "mature." Part of that always seems to lead to thinking they know what's best, and... well, for most of my life anyway, women have been thought of to... not. At least in business, politics, and religion (by and large).
It could also be that God was doing something entirely different with Josiah, and it had nothing to do with men and women. Perhaps it was merely that God can do with even a boy what people cannot do at our most cunning. I don't know.
I do think innocence plays a part somewhere. There is a link between King David and King Josiah both as people "after God's own heart" and "doing what was right in the eyes of the Lord." There was much about David that could be considered innocence as well (dancing in the streets; prayers of confession; etc.).
Anyway, I am simply dropping some thoughts here. I am amazed that God could work through people like David, Josiah, and even you and me. Regardless of age, our past, or even what we're involved in now. Being innocent before Him... who knows what that might result in. We might also consider giving more weight to the thoughts and ideas of our children... ;)
Peace out; and in.
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