Stump of Jesse–From Fallen Kings To the Eternal King
And Josiah took away all the abominations from all the territory that belonged to the people of Israel and made all who were present in Israel serve the Lord their God. All his days they did not turn away from following the LORD, the God of their fathers. 2 Chronicles 34:33 (ESV)
In some of our congregations, the spiritual role of elder is reserved for men who have years of experience under their belt. It’s sometimes suggested that the passage of time is necessary for wisdom. Wisdom and youth are two words that don’t often go together. However, Josiah, son of David, is an exception.
When Manasseh died, he was replaced by King Amon who followed in his wicked father’s footsteps. He ruled just two years before being replaced by his eight-year-old son, Josiah. Josiah was just a boy with a ‘child-like faith’ who did what was right in the sight of the LORD. He purged the land of idolatry. Who would ever think that God would use a young boy to do what older kings refused to do? Well, that’s exactly what the LORD did through Josiah.
When the Eternal King took on human flesh and blood, His faithfulness and understanding was on display at the age of twelve. It shouldn’t be a surprise. The Lord foretold his faithfulness and his victory (Isaiah 53:10-12). God used every son of David to accomplish something, but nothing was as great as what was accomplished by the son of Mary, the Eternal King, descended from David, Jesus the Christ.
He nestles at His mother’s breast,
Receives her tender care,
Whom angels hail with joy most blest,
King David’s royal Heir, King David’s royal Heir.
The Lutheran Hymnal 105:4