Josiah: Examining Family Legacy
2 Kings 22-23
Tony Murrow
Part of Sermon Notes
August 29, 2021

The Biblical Idea of “Family”

When the Bible talks about family: it means both your ancestors going back three to four generations and your descendants three to four generations into the future. So if you want to think about your family in the way the Bible does. We’re talking about everyone you come from and who comes from you from about 1870 to about 2170.

We inherit a legacy of both blessings and curses from our families of origin.

“You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me” —Deuteronomy 5:9a

Know therefore that the Lord your God is God; he is the faithful God, keeping his covenant of love to a thousand generations of those who love him and keep his commandments. —Deuteronomy 7:9

The Sin of the Patriarchs:
1. Lying.
2. Poor intimacy in marriage.
3. Favoritism.
4. Estrangement between siblings.

Josiah’s Inherited Legacy

Grandpa: Manasseh

Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Hephzibah. 2 And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, according to the despicable practices of the nations whom the LORD drove out before the people of Israel. 3 For he rebuilt the high places that Hezekiah his father had destroyed, and he erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah, as Ahab king of Israel had done, and worshiped all the host of heaven and served them. 4 And he built altars in the house of the LORD, of which the LORD had said, “In Jerusalem will I put my name.” 5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the LORD. 6 And he burned his son as an offering and used fortune-telling and omens and dealt with mediums and with necromancers. —2 Kings 21:1-6

Moreover, Manasseh shed very much innocent blood, till he had filled Jerusalem from one end to another, besides the sin that he made Judah to sin so that they did what was evil in the sight of the LORD. —2 Kings 21:16

Father: Amon

19 Amon was twenty-two years old when he began to reign, and he reigned two years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Meshullemeth the daughter of Haruz of Jotbah. 20 And he did what was evil in the sight of the LORD, as Manasseh his father had done. 21 He walked in all the way in which his father walked and served the idols that his father served and worshiped them. 22 He abandoned the LORD, the God of his fathers, and did not walk in the way of the LORD. 23 And the servants of Amon conspired against him and put the king to death in his house. —2 Kings 21:19-23

The Legacy Josiah Leaves

25 Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him. —2 Kings 23:25

How Josiah changes his legacy:

He chooses a new father.

Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. 2 And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.
3 For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David; —2 Chronicles 34:1-3

Josiah lets go of the ways of Amon, and walks in the ways of his father David.

We too have access to a new father.

2 Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. 4 For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love 5 he predestined us for adoption to sonship through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will— 6 to the praise of his glorious grace, which he has freely given us in the One he loves. —Ephesians 1:2-6

He aknowledges the failures of his family.

11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes. 12 And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the secretary, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying, 13 “Go, inquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us. —2 Kings 22:11-13

As we read the Bible, we get to know our new Father and His culture. This give us the opportunity to acknowledge the difference between His culture and our family’s culture.

Josiah tears down the high places of his ancestors.

We underestimate the deep, unconscious imprints our families of origins leave on us.

Unbiblical Family Commandments:

Money:
1. Money is the best source of security.
2. Make lots of money to prove you’ve made it.
3. Spend money on credit to live the life you want now.

Conflict:
1. Avoid conflict at all costs.
2. Loud, angry, frequent fighting is normal.
3. You can’t have conflict with people more powerful than you (parents and older relatives).

Sex:
1. Sex is not to be spoken about openly.
2. Men can be promiscuous; women must be chaste.
3. We don’t talk about the sexual things that have happened within our family.

Grief & Loss:
1. Sadness is a sign of weakness.
2. Christians don’t become depressed.
3. Get over losses quickly and move on.

Anger:
1. All anger is dangerous and bad.
2. Explode in anger to make your point.
3. Sarcasm is a less hurtful way to express anger.

Substances:
1. Celebration requires intoxicating substances.
2. With pain, use substances to ‘take the edge off.’
3. You can’t become addicted to marijuana.

Family Loyalty:
1. You owe your parents for all they’ve done for you.
2. Don’t speak of the family’s ‘dirty laundry’ to anyone else.
3. You can’t become addicted to marijuana.

Relationships:
1. You can’t trust people.
2. You should live with your partner before marriage to minimize the chance of divorce.
3. You should end relationships with people who sin against you.

Different Cultures:
1. Only be close friends with people who are like you.
2. Don’t marry a person of another race or culture.
3. Other races or cultures are not as good as mine (or are better than mine).

Success:
1. Success is prestige and accomplishment.
2. Success is getting married and having children.
3. Success means lots of religious activity.


The law is meant to be our teacher, not our critic.

Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. —Galations 3:24 NASB

Josiah brings back what needs to be.

21 And the king commanded all the people, “Keep the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.” 22 For no such Passover had been kept since the days of the judges who judged Israel, or during all the days of the kings of Israel or of the kings of Judah. 23 But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah this Passover was kept to the LORD in Jerusalem. —2 King 23:21-23

Covid disrupted many of our family rhythms. What things do you need to bring back?

Pastor’s Challenge:

Read your Bible. If you don’t know where to start, start with Matthew 1 and read through 3 John.

Make Two Lists:

• What needs to go?

• What needs to be?