Momentous
events continue as we reach we end of Second Kings.
The
first big thing is Josiah’s reform. It is the positive climax of First and Second
Kings. Ever since Solomon, Judah (the southern kingdom, and all that is left
after the fall of Israel) had high places that were either officially
idolatrous or dangerously close. Even the good kings left them (except
Hezekiah, and his son Manasseh restored them) as a snare for the people of
Judah. But during Josiah’s reign, the book of the law (probably a version of
Deuteronomy) is found. Josiah had the entire book read to the populace, purified
the temple, defiled the altars that had been part of the northern kingdom (and
were now Samaritan territory), and sponsored a massive celebration of Passover.
Second Kings says he was the best king ever (23:25).
But
Josiah’s reform is too little too late. Judah continues its sinful ways. God
remains angry and hands the kingdom over to the Babylonians, who conquer in two
stages. The second and more brutal stage is our chapter for tomorrow, but this
one is bad enough. Going forward, there is no truly independent remnant of
David’s kingdom. With only a brief exception, that continues until the creation
of Israel in the twentieth century.
The
two things that strike me in all this are not central to the story as told in
Kings, but are interesting. One is that Josiah sends his high officials, along with
the high priest, to consult a prophet about the newly found book of the law.
The surprise is that this illustrious crew consults a female prophet named Huldah (22:14f). In Israel’s history, Huldah
may be the most influential woman since Deborah the judge six hundred years
before. Women today can look to Huldah as a precedent for women’s religious
leadership.
The
other thing is the power politics. Josiah is able to move into what had been
northern territory because there was a temporary opening while the great powers
(Egypt to the south and Mesopotamia to the north) were quiet. Josiah himself
dies when Egypt makes a move to dominate the region and challenge the emerging
Mesopotamian power, Babylon. Judah falls when Babylon successfully drives Egypt
back and establishes its own dominance throughout the area.
Theologically,
Second Kings attributes the rise and fall of the great powers (and, of course,
Israel and Judah) to Yahweh. But that theological claim would not have made
sense to the people of Egypt or Babylon. The fact that the people of Judah
could hold to it is a remarkable testimony to their persistent faith.
Fr. Harvey
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