The narrative reaches a spiritual zenith around 622 b.c. as Josiah commands a Passover celebration that rivals the days of Samuel the prophet. This account details the meticulous organization of the priests and the overwhelming generosity of the king. However, the history concludes tragically in 609 b.c. when the righteous king meddles in an international conflict at Megiddo and loses his life.

Know God. God is revealed as worthy of precise obedience and extravagant generosity. We see that He accepts worship that is strictly ordered according to His word rather than human invention. However, God also demonstrates His sovereignty by speaking a warning through the mouth of a pagan king, Neco. Consequently, He shows that His voice is not limited to the sanctuary and that He expects us to discern His will even in unlikely places.

Bridge the Gap. We often develop a "spiritual deafness" to voices outside our immediate circle as we age. Josiah assumed that because Neco was a foreign king, he could not possibly be carrying a message from God. It is a stark warning that our past spiritual successes (like the great Passover) do not make us immune to present deception. In light of this, we must remain humble enough to consider that wisdom might come from sources we would normally dismiss.

Take Action. We can practice radical generosity to facilitate the worship of others, just as Josiah provided thousands of lambs for the common people.

It is vital to ask God for discernment regarding which conflicts require our involvement and which ones we should let pass. We should hesitate before engaging in arguments or "battles" where the opposing party claims to be on a mission that does not concern us. Because of this truth, we choose to finish our course in peace rather than seeking glory in a fight that isn't ours.