“A Befitting Epitaph!”

“A Befitting Epitaph!”(II Kgs.23:1-4&6-7&11-14&24-25).
Dearly beloved, it’s another brand new Sunday. Like the psalmist, let us rejoice with those say to us, “Let us go to the house of the LORD “(Ps.122:1).
Today’s pericope tells the story of King Josiah renewing the covenant of the LOrd when the book of the covenant was found in the temple. Josiah gathered “the people of Jerusalem, the priests and the prophets – people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the covenant…” There and then he renewed the covenant in the presence of the LORD – to follow the LORD and keep his commands, regulations and decrees with all his heart and all his soul…The people also pledged themselves to the covenant.”
The king went on to bring down any idol, foreign gods, and everything associated with idolatry and its related practices.
Josiah’s renewal of the covenant is the story of a king being the one who calls priests and prophets to go back to the trie worship of God.
It is true that in our day, the clergy have kind of desecrated the book of the covenant because they do not allow the word of God to guide them in certain decision making and implementation.
All the above notwithstanding, our inspiration is about what is written in conclusion as an epitaph to king Josiah: “Furthermore, Josiah got rid of the mediums and spiritists, the household gods, the idols, and all the other detestable things seen in Judah and Jerusalem. This he did to fulfil the requirements of the la written in the book that Hilkiah the priest had discovered in the temple of the Lord. Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses.”
Keen biblical readers are right to say, “We have read this before of another king.” Yes, earlier on we read, “Hezekiah trusted in the LORD, the God of Israel. There was no one like him among all the kings of Judah, either before him or after him. He held fast to the LORD and did not cease to follow him; he kept the commands the LORD had given Moses”(II Kgs 18:5-6).
Hezekiah is unique that he trusted in the LORD, while Josiah’s uniqueness is in his unscrupulous observance of the Mosaic law.
The songwriter says we are “fading away like the stars of the morning,” only to be remembered by what we have done. In each decision you make, in each action you take, you are unconsciously carving on stone what you will be remembered for.
Maybe we can thread more cautiously on some places if before each decision or action we pause and ask self, “Is this decision or action I want to take something I’ll like to be remembered for? “Are my present decisions and actions going to serve as a befitting epitaph on my tombstone?”
This halt-to-ponder question can actually lead us away from evil and guide our feet on the way of the LORD.
May we like Josiah, renew our lives to follow the LORD, and keep his commands, regulations, and decrees with all our hearts and souls.
Sunday prayer: Revive our souls O LORD, renew our spirits, and direct our wills to obedience. Amen!
Have a blessed Sunday! Peace be with you!
Rev Babila Fochang.
24/08/2025.