II Chronicles 34-36  Josiah was 8 years old when he became king of Judah.  He was the last "good" king, doing "right in the sight of the Lord, [he] walked in the ways of his father David and did not turn aside to the right or to the left." 

Verse 3 "For in the eighth year of his reign while he was still a youth, he began to seek the God of his father David."  What a wonderful story.  This 16 year old king took it upon himself to "purge" Judah and Jerusalem... and even parts of Israel.. from all the idolatry that his father had multiplied throughout the land.  Josiah restored the temple and the roles of the priests and Levites.  He also prepared a celebration of Passover that had not been seen in the land "since the days of Samuel"... greater by far than even his grandfather, Hezekiah. 

After Josiah's death, his son Joahaz became king, but reigned for only 3 months before he was taken captive by Egypt.  His brother Eliakim was put in his place and his name was changed to Jehoiakim.  He lasted 11 years, but was taken captive by Nebuchadnezzar. 

Then Jehoiachin.. the 8 year old son of Jehoiakim became king for 3 months... doing "evil in the sight of the Lord."  He was also taken away to Babylon and his uncle Zedikiah was made king.  He also did evil, he "stiffened his neck and hardened his heart against turning to the Lord God of Israel." 

Again and again, the Lord sent His messengers.. "but they continually mocked the messengers of God, despised His words and scoffed at His prophets, until the wrath of the Lord arose against His people until there was no remedy." 

Judah was taken captive.  Jerusalem was defeated. The temple was burned down.. and those who weren't killed were led away to Babylon. It would be 70 years, "until the land enjoyed its sabbaths", before Cyrus, the king of Persia would send God's people back to "build Him a house in Jerusalem." 

Eight year old Josiah chose to do what was right, but 8 year old Jehoiachin chose to do evil. Makes you think, doesn't it?  Oh how vital it is that we teach our children the ways of the Lord! Without godly leadership, the nations of Israel and Judah suffered destruction and loss. Sin increased.. "until there was no remedy."  That is a startling sentence.  We need to pay attention.. for our own country is following the wrong path.. mocking God's Word, hardening their hearts, and boasting in their sins.  We are headed for disaster unless we turn back to the Truth. 

Father, we pray for our nation today.. for repentance and revival. Let Your Word come and spread rapidly and be glorified in this land. You are gracious and merciful, Lord, and we are thankful for Your patience. But, help us to pay attention to Your voice, to hear the warnings of Your messengers, and to humble ourselves before You.  We pray for the children of our nation, that they might choose You, to be like Josiah and to seek You with all their hearts. We ask for Your mercy upon them and upon us all. In Jesus' name. Amen.