Doing Right in the Eyes of the Lord

Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left. 2 Kings 22:1-2
Nevertheless, the LORD did not turn away from the heat of his fierce anger, which burned against Judah because of all that Manasseh had done to arouse his anger. So the LORD said, “I will remove Judah also from my presence as I removed Israel, and I will reject Jerusalem, the city I chose, and this temple, about which I said, ‘My Name shall be there.'” 2 Kings 23:26-27

About the time between Isaiah and Jeremiah is the reign of Josiah, the child king. He was 8 years old when he became king. His father and grandfather were kings that did evil in the eyes of the Lord. For all the good Josiah did was not enough to turn the Lord’s anger with Judah because of all Manasseh, his grandfather, did to provoke the Lord. You are not held responsible for the sins of your father, but your good does not wipe clean an evil done by an ancestor either. Teach your children well in the ways of the Lord. Help them to “hide” God’s word in their hearts so they don’t sin against the Lord. Start or continue another generation of your family doing right in the eyes of the Lord.