Josiah and Resurrection

How long did Josiah the king of Judah live?

King Josiah of Judah lived 39 years.

Born: ca. 648 BCE

Became king: at age 8, in 640 BCE

Died: in 609 BCE, at age 39, during a battle at Megiddo against Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt (2 Kings 23:29–30)

Josiah is remembered as a righteous king who initiated major religious reforms, rediscovered the Book of the Law, and sought to return Judah to faithful worship of Yahweh.

Since he did what was right the lord ssid he would not see disaster hitting him and he would be buried in peace. Yet you say he died in the battle and expired at the age of 39. Isn't it disasterpus, not buried in peace?

You're asking an excellent and deeply thoughtful question—one that has puzzled many biblical scholars and readers.

Here’s the relevant tension:

1. God’s Promise to Josiah

In 2 Kings 22:19–20, after Josiah humbled himself upon hearing the words of the Book of the Law, the Lord said:

> “Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the LORD... I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place.”

2. Josiah’s Violent Death

However, in 2 Kings 23:29–30 and 2 Chronicles 35:20–24, Josiah is killed in battle at Megiddo by Pharaoh Necho—apparently a sudden and violent death.

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How Can We Reconcile These?

A. "Buried in peace" may refer to the timing, not the manner

God's promise may mean that Josiah would die before Judah's catastrophic destruction by Babylon—not necessarily that he would die peacefully in bed.

He was spared from witnessing the exile, the fall of Jerusalem, and the temple’s destruction in 586 BCE.

His death marked the end of an era of faithfulness; disaster followed soon after.

B. Josiah’s death may reflect his own human misjudgment

2 Chronicles 35:22 suggests Josiah "did not listen to the words of Necho from the mouth of God"—implying he may have wrongly inserted himself into a battle not meant for him.

Some interpret this as a flaw in Josiah’s discernment, but it doesn't cancel God's earlier mercy. He still died before seeing Judah’s worst days.

C. “Buried in peace” could still be literally true

Despite the violence of his death:

Josiah was honorably buried (2 Kings 23:30 says he was taken back to Jerusalem and buried in his own tomb).

The nation mourned deeply for him (2 Chronicles 35:24–25).

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Summary:

Though Josiah’s death was tragic, God’s promise held true in a broader sense:

He died before judgment came upon Judah.

He was honorably buried, with mourning and respect.

He did not live to see the full national disaster, as promised.

Your question taps into the mystery of how divine promises unfold—not always in the ways we expect, but often with a deeper layer of fulfillment.

In the account of the life of josiah in 2 kings, the title word "the Lord" is repeated. Is this Lord the same as Jesus who is also called the Lord? Supposedly Jesus is the Lord who is the same uestetday today and forever.

This is a profoundly insightful question—bringing together theological continuity between the Old Testament (e.g., 2 Kings and King Josiah's story) and the New Testament's revelation of Jesus as "Lord." Let’s unpack this carefully:

1. Who is "the LORD" in 2 Kings?

In 2 Kings and much of the Old Testament, the word “the LORD” (in small caps in most English Bibles) translates the Hebrew name YHWH (Yahweh)—the covenant name of God revealed to Moses (Exodus 3:14).

So when the Bible says:

> “Josiah did what was right in the eyes of the LORD...”

It means he obeyed Yahweh, the God of Israel.

 Is Yahweh (the LORD) the same as Jesus, who is also called Lord?

Yes—within Christian theology, Jesus is identified with Yahweh in a profound way, though not in a simplistic or interchangeable sense.

A. Jesus shares the divine identity

In Hebrews 13:8, it says:

> “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”

In John 8:58, Jesus says:

> “Before Abraham was born, I AM.”

This echoes God’s name revealed in Exodus 3:14:

“I AM WHO I AM.”

In Philippians 2:11:

> “...every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

The Greek word used here—Kyrios—was also used in the Greek Old Testament (Septuagint) to translate YHWH.

B. The Trinity: One God, Three Persons

Christian doctrine teaches that:

Yahweh is God the Father, the Son (Jesus), and the Holy Spirit—one divine being, three persons.

So when Josiah obeyed “the LORD,” he was obeying the one true God, whom Christians later understand to include Jesus in His divine personhood.

3. So, was Josiah following Jesus without knowing it?

In a sense—yes.

Josiah worshiped Yahweh, the covenant God of Israel.

Christians understand that the Son of God (Jesus) was eternally present even before His incarnation.

Therefore, while Josiah didn’t know the name “Jesus”, he was faithful to the God who would later be revealed as Jesus.

As Jesus Himself said in Luke 24:27, after His resurrection:

> “Beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.”

Summary

Yes, “the LORD” Josiah obeyed is the same eternal God whom Christians know as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Jesus—the eternal Word—is fully Yahweh, revealed in human form. So in following “the LORD,” Josiah was aligned with Jesus the Lord, though Jesus' name and incarnation were not yet revealed in Josiah’s time.

If you'd like, I can show you some verses where New Testament writers quote Old Testament “LORD” texts and apply them directly to Jesus.

Please.

Certainly. Here are key examples where New Testament writers quote Old Testament passages about “the LORD” (YHWH) and apply them directly to Jesus Christ, affirming that He shares in the divine identity of Yahweh:

1. Isaiah 40:3 → Matthew 3:3 / Mark 1:3 / John 1:23

Old Testament (Isaiah 40:3):

> “A voice of one calling: ‘In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD [YHWH]; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.’”

New Testament (Matthew 3:3):

> “This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah: ‘A voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him.’”

Applied to: John the Baptist preparing the way for Jesus.

Thus, the “LORD” (YHWH) in Isaiah is interpreted as Jesus in the Gospels.

2. Joel 2:32 → Romans 10:13

Old Testament (Joel 2:32):

> “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD [YHWH] will be saved…”

New Testament (Romans 10:13):

> “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Context: Paul applies this verse to Jesus in Romans 10:9:

> “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord… you will be saved.”

3. Psalm 102:25–27 → Hebrews 1:10–12

Old Testament (Psalm 102:25–27):

> “In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands… you remain the same, and your years will never end.”

New Testament (Hebrews 1:10–12):

> Applies these words directly to Jesus Christ, affirming His eternal, unchanging nature—traits of YHWH.

4. Isaiah 8:13–14 → 1 Peter 2:7–8

Old Testament (Isaiah 8:13–14):

> “The LORD Almighty is the one you are to regard as holy… and he will be a stone that causes people to stumble.”

New Testament (1 Peter 2:7–8):

> Applies this “stumbling stone” imagery to Jesus, showing that He is the LORD of Isaiah’s prophecy.

5. Psalm 110:1 → Matthew 22:44

Old Testament (Psalm 110:1):

> “The LORD [YHWH] says to my Lord [Adonai]: ‘Sit at my right hand…’”

New Testament (Matthew 22:44):

> Jesus quotes this to challenge the Pharisees:

“If then David calls him ‘Lord,’ how can he be his son?”

Implication: Jesus is the Lord seated at God's right hand—divine and exalted.

Summary

These passages clearly show that:

The New Testament writers saw Jesus not merely as a prophet or messiah, but as YHWH Himself, revealed in human form.

Titles, actions, and honors once reserved for “the LORD” in the Old Testament are now ascribed to Jesus.

If you'd like, I can format these as a printable or visual reference for study or teaching.

Here is a printable summary chart of Old Testament references to “the LORD (YHWH)” that are applied to Jesus in the New Testament. This can be used for personal study, Bible teaching, or devotional reflection.

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“Jesus Is the LORD (YHWH)” – Scriptural Parallels

Old Testament Verse Reference to YHWH (the LORD) New Testament Fulfillment in Jesus Meaning/Interpretation

Isaiah 40:3 “Prepare the way of the LORD” (YHWH) Matthew 3:3 / Mark 1:3 / John 1:23 John the Baptist prepares the way for Jesus—the LORD.

Joel 2:32 “Everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved” Romans 10:13 (cf. 10:9) Paul applies this to Jesus, calling Him Lord.

Psalm 102:25–27 YHWH created the heavens; remains unchanged Hebrews 1:10–12 Jesus is identified as Creator and eternal, same as YHWH.

Isaiah 8:13–14 YHWH is a “stone of stumbling” 1 Peter 2:7–8 Jesus is the stumbling stone—the Holy One rejected.

Psalm 110:1 “The LORD said to my Lord…” Matthew 22:44 / Hebrews 1:13 Jesus is David’s Lord, seated at God’s right hand.

Exodus 3:14 “I AM WHO I AM” (YHWH's name) John 8:58 – “Before Abraham was, I AM” Jesus claims the divine name, affirming His identity as YHWH.

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Summary Truth:

> Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).

The LORD whom Josiah served is the same Lord revealed in Jesus—God eternal, holy, and faithful.

Would you like this turned into a PDF or printable card format for easier use or sharing?

Your printable study sheet is ready. You can download it here:

King_Josiah_and_the_Resurrection.pdf

It summarizes how King Josiah’s faithful life fits into the biblical promise of resurrection and eternal life through Jesus Christ. Let me know if you'd like a version with visual design or formatted for presentation.