Read: 2 Kings 23-25
Focus Verse: “He desecrated Topheth, which was in the Valley of Ben Hinton, so no one could use it to sacrifice their son or daughter in the fire to Molek.” (2 Kings 23:10).
Devotion: Despite Josiah’s repentance, and his following God with all his heart, soul, and strength, Judah still falls and is taken into exile. Every step of the way, though, is marked by generations of evil wicked sin that causes their exile. Judah is the reason for their exile, their sin is the cause. Sometimes when I have read through this I have tended to downplay the sin and focus on God as the actor sending Judah into exile. Judah was sacrificing Children to the god Molek! Rather than worship the LORD, parents executed their children and burned them in fire to a false god. Rather than follow the God of life, creation, and love, Judah murdered children. There is No downplaying the severity of the sin of Judah. God’s punishment is to send Judah away from his presence. Yet, God knows that one day when they are ready, Judah will come back to the LORD. The way I see it, Judah gets off easy. Hundreds of years of sin lead to a generations banishment. Yes, there is a lot of destruction, but with the hope of future restoration.
Pray: LORD we know You are marked by love but we don’t always do what’s right. Help to correct and lead us Lord. Amen.
Additional Scripture: “The Lord is my light and my salvation—so why should I be afraid?” (Ps. 27:1)