The words of Necho from the mouth of God (2 Chronicles 35:22)

2024-10-22

But he sent ambassadors to him, saying, What have I to do with thee, thou king of Judah? I come not against thee this day, but against the house wherewith I have war: for God commanded me to make haste: forbear thee from meddling with God, who is with me, that he destroy thee not. Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo. (2 Chronicles 35:21-22)

Necho claimed to speak for God when he sent for Josiah. How could Josiah believe him? Didn’t Rabshakeh claim to speak for God also, and he was lying? But we see the Spirit says that the words of Necho were “from the mouth of God.” It is a shame, that after such a righteous life, that Josiah ended this way, just like how Ahab died. Not only this, but none of his sons also lived up to his legacy.

Somehow, Josiah was supposed to recognize that Necho spoke for the LORD here. His disregard became a rebuke to his disobedience. This calls for wisdom when a non-Christian rebukes us, because sometimes the non-Christian has a real message for us in our sin.