Narrative Lectionary Key Verse for Today
“Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; nor did any like him arise after him.”
NL Daily Devotion for Friday, December 1, 2023
by R. M. Fergus, Clergy Stuff
Was Josiah even greater than David? This is high praise for a king who came to power at the age of eight. The Bible says he “did what was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the way of his father, David.” Father meaning ancestor, not literal father. It makes me wonder about his mother, Jedidah. Surely she had something to do with this eight-year-old boy finding so much favor in God’s sight. And this before he even discovered the book of Deuteronomy and brought all of Judah back to following the laws of Moses. Of course, a parent can’t take all the credit for their child’s goodness, in the same way as they can’t take all the blame for their mistakes and challenges. But I’d like to think Jedidah was a major influence on her son, and gave him such love and guidance as to set him up to be one of the greatest kings God’s people had ever had—like none before and none after. Not even David.
As a mom, I don’t have any illusions that my kids will be the greatest rulers in the world. I have no aspirations for them to have power or fame. All I want is for them to be healthy and resilient, compassionate and joyful. Probably these are the qualities Jedidah instilled in Josiah. So king or not, that was enough.
What qualities are most important in a good leader?
