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NASB | 2 Chronicles 35:21 But Neco sent messengers to him, saying, "What have we to do with each other, O King of Judah? I am not coming against you today but against the house with which I am at war, and God has ordered me to hurry. Stop for your own sake from interfering with God who is with me, so that He will not destroy you." |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | 2 Chronicles 35:21 But Neco sent messengers to Josiah, saying, "What business do we have with each other, O King of Judah? I am not coming against you today, but against the house with which I am at war, and God has ordered me to hurry. Stop for your own sake from interfering with God who is with me, so that He will not destroy you." |
Bible Question:
How could Neco speak from the mouth of God (vs 22)? He was the king of Egypt, why would God talk to him? Why would Neco listen? Why didn't Josiah listen (vs 22)? What would you do if you were in a similiar situation? |
Bible Answer: First of all, Neco was not going to war against Judah.. "35:21-22 Neco only wished to move his army through Palestine, without engaging in battle; however, Josiah refused to believe this even though the message was from the mouth of God. Megiddo. For its strategic location, see note on 1 Kings 9:15." (Ryrie's Study Bible) God did speak through pagan rules in the past.. "The house is a reference to the Babylonians. God commanded me: God sometimes spoke to pagan rulers about a course of action He wanted them to take (36:22; see Gen. 20:6; 41:25; Dan. 2:28). Necho did not know that the source of his divine leading was the God of Israel and not one of his own Egyptian deities. But God did direct him, displaying His sovereignty over even the wicked and unbelieving powers of this world (see Isa. 44:28–45:1)." (Nelson Study Bible) And even though Josiah was dealt a mortal wound, I believe that we cannot directly assume that he is being punished here for refusing to believe. It is possible that he just did not believe that God spoke through Neco.. "Sin, Rebellion—Even the righteous are susceptible to grave moral errors. Though Josiah had followed God’s will in reform, he rebelled against the word God delivered through King Neco. Because of this rebellion he was killed in battle on the plain of Meggido. Our rebellion against God’s Word can bring dire consequences. We must be ready to hear God’s Word from unexpected sources. See note on 2 Ki 24:1-4." (Disciple's Study Bible) "35:20-27 King Neco II of Egypt (610-595) sent an expedition to Syria to help the Assyrian king resist the efforts of the Babylonians to take over the empire. Josiah offered military resistance to Neco, and was fatally wounded. His death evoked sorrow from all Judah and Jerusalem (35:24-25), as well as a lament from the prophet Jeremiah (Jer 22:11-17)." (Cambridge Annotated Study Bible) "35:21 God commanded me. He is referring to the true God; whether he had a true revelation or not is unknown. Josiah had no way to know either, and it is apparent he did not believe that Neco spoke the Word of God. There is no reason to assume his death was punishment for refusing to believe. He probably thought Neco was lying and, once victorious with Assyria over Babylon, they would together be back to assault Israel." (The MacArthur Study Bible) --Nolan |
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Questions and/or Subjects for 2 Chr 35:21 | Author | ||
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Searcher56 | ||
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Makarios | ||
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Seedsower |