Picking The Wrong Fight

One of the best kings of Judah died because he picked the wrong fight.

In 2^nd Chronicles 35:20 we read of that battle. The Egypt armies led by Neco were coming north to support the Assyrian against rising Babylonian empire. Since Judah was allied with Babylon it was expected that they would attack to delay those forces.

In 2nd Chronicles 35:21we read, “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."”

Scholars debate if Neco was honest about receiving a message from The Lord but nevertheless, Josiah was killed because he did not turn away. His death is so devasting it would be byword for tragedy for years (Zec. 12:11). After this Judah was defeated by Egypt and then destroyed by Babylon.

This story might just be warning for us today. The world in conflict is often trying to draw Christians into its squabbles. While there might be reason for us to be interested but we need to make sure these battles do not move us into vulnerable positions. Alliance in the world should never take precedence over the will and word of our true King. These squabbles might cause division and anger that lead to our demise.

Picking the wrong battle to be involved in might just be our ruin as well.

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Ecclesiastes 12:10

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