The Tragic Death of Josiah and God’s Providence

This passage deals with the life and tragic death of Josiah, regarded as the most faithful king in the history of Judah. Josiah came to the throne at a young age, repaired the temple, tore down the idols and brought about a remarkable spiritual reform that turned the whole nation back to God. God promised that if he completed this reform he would not see disaster and would die in peace. Yet, despite a warning from the king of Egypt, he went out to war, was struck by an arrow and was killed.

The sermon points out that Josiah's death should be understood within God's mysterious providence rather than as the result of a mistake seen from the viewpoint of retribution. The 'knowing' of God that the Bible speaks of is not mere information but a deep personal relationship and union. God's providence therefore works in ways people cannot understand and goes beyond our expectations and common sense. Josiah's death looks like a tragedy on the surface, but God rescued him from the disaster of the coming judgment and led him into 'shalom', a state of complete rest.

The sermon urges believers, when they face the hardships of life and situations they cannot understand, to trust the God who rules over the situation rather than the results they can see. It stresses that God knows our weakness and our groaning and is the one who takes responsibility for us to the end. Through this sermon the reader is led to think about what the difficulties in their own life mean within God's love and providence, and how to look at their situation from a transcendent point of view.