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Matthew 1:10b
Amon became king at age twenty-two (2 Chronicles 33:21) and he did not seek the LORD God. He worshiped idols and was killed in his own house. These events can be further studied in 2 Chronicles 33:21-25; 2 Kings 21:19-26.
Josiah, the son of Amon (2 Kings 21:26) then became king at eight years old (2 Kings 22:1). He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD (2 Kings 22:2) and shows us just how far from God his father was as Josiah is credited with “finding” the “Book of the Law of the LORD” that was hidden in the house of the LORD that had been destroyed by the past kings (2 Chronicles 34:8-21). We can see that his heart was right with God through his actions as recorded in 2 Chronicles 34:21 stating, “’Go, inquire of the LORD for me, and for those who are left in Israel and Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found; for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out on us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do according to all that is written in this book.” During the reign of King Josiah, he made a public covenant with the LORD, to follow Him diligently, “with all his heart and all his soul” (2 Chronicles 34:31, NKJV). King Josiah destroyed all the idols of the country and led the people to serve the LORD diligently all the days of his life (2 Chronicles 34:29-33).
This is the genealogy of Jesus from Manasseh to Josiah.
The Bible teaches us in 2 Chronicles 35:18 that no Passover had ever been kept like that of which King Josiah kept. He made a covenant to be dedicated to God with all his heart and all his soul, and to put into action that which he dedicated to God. Many years later, Jesus made a New Covenant as He too kept the Passover with His disciples. He declared in Luke 22:20, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you.” As Christ took our place as the Passover Lamb, He was sacrificed for our sins so that through Him we may be forgiven, not for a moment until we sin again but for all eternity. We can have the forgiveness of Christ Jesus if we will dedicate our hearts and souls to Him – to follow the new covenant that He made through His shed blood for us on the cross. Ask of His forgiveness today and begin living a new life in Christ Jesus – the One who shed His blood for us so that we may live forgiven for eternity – in Christ.
Dear LORD,
Through the genealogy of Jesus, we are seeing that many of the people have sinned in turning from seeking You in their lives, just as many people have done today. But You are also showing us that if we will repent and turn from the evil ways of this world and diligently seek You with all our heart and soul, You will forgive us and give us a new life in Christ Jesus that sets us free from the guilt of sin. Please help us to see the true life that is only found in Christ Jesus that we too would make a covenant with You to be diligent in our relationship with You and put our faith in Jesus into action that we would bring You glory through our lives. In Jesus name I pray, amen.