Body of Christ: Heritage Assessment

2nd Kings 22:8-20; John 3:17-21; Acts 16:25-34

Rev. Chris Harbin, Rocks Baptist Church—Pamplin, VA

02 May 2004

Periodically, we must look back on our heritage and assess the value of what we have received. We approach those things of value as meaningful, while things of lesser value we ignore or push aside. How are we to determine what is truly meaningful? We receive many different influences, many good, bad, indifferent, teachings, instructions, or directions. Some we discard outright, others we hold fast as life-giving instruction. Some we set away on a shelf for considering at some other time when the words might have meaning or might come in handy. How do we determine what is worth keeping? What shall we hold dear?

In the midst of a Temple restoration project, Josiah was given a book. Reportedly it had been lost, or at least misplaced in the sphere of Judean rule. It seems that Josiah was already somewhat familiar with the contents of this book, for some of the reforms he had begun were in keeping with what he found inscribed in this scroll of Yahweh’s instruction.

The reform he had begun was not in keeping with the path that the kings of Judah had been following. Since Hezekiah’s day, the kings of Judah had left off serving Yahweh, erecting altars to Baal and following the ways of the nations. Josiah recognized their error and Yahweh’s due claim on the people. He began cleansing the land by repairing the Temple to Yahweh that had falled into disrepair. It was in this process that he was given the words of the scroll of God’s instruction.

On hearing the words of what was probably the book of Deuteronomy, Josiah recognized the great error in which his father and grandfather had labored. He recognized just how far they had led the nation from serving Yahweh, serving false gods instead. He sent his officers to inquire of Yahweh, that he might know what God would have him do and whether or not it would be too late to make repair for the deeds of his ancestors.

The king’s messengers went before Huldah, the prophetess of Yahweh. They went to find out from her what Yahweh would do. Yahweh answered in a most displeasing manner. God would deal with them in accord with the words of Deuteronomy, invoking wrath upon the inhabitants of Judah. Since Josiah had shown repentance and contrition, there would yet be mercy for the nation in the form of a delay of God’s judgement. Thus was God’s word to the king and the people. Huldah’s warning of doom echoed God’s words to Hezekiah of old.

Josiah had a decision to make. How would he respond to such a challenge? How would he respond to impending doom upon the land and the people? This word was in keeping with God’s word to King Hezekiah. God would judge, but the judgement would be delayed due to Hezekiah’s faithfulness. How would Josiah now respond? Would there be any purpose in serving Yahweh in faithfulness if impending judgement was on the way? If his own faithful service to Yahweh would not alter the judgement to come, was there any point? Would it perhaps be better to follow the lead of the kings before him and seek refuge in other gods who might intervene with greater blessing and protection?

Josiah’s heritage was one of mixed influences, most of which ran contrary to the will of Yahweh. The history of the people had brought him both the instruction of Yahweh and the practices of idol worship, fertility cults, necromancy, witchcraft, and other ways of directing one’s life and the life of the nation. There was no sure way to guarantee his own comfort and peace. How should he respond to the impending doom he could not likely avoid? Should he follow the example of his father, or reach back to the example of the nearly forgotten Hezekiah? Which part of his heritage was worth retaining?

As John wrote of Nicodemus’ encounter with Jesus, he included part of Nicodemus’ similar quandary. There was both good and bad in Nicodemus’ heritage, and he was faced with a decision to review and assess various elements of his religious instruction. As John editorialized, he raised an important issue revolving around the difficulty in choosing to follow God—fear of being exposed. John says that it is common for those who live at variance with God’s will to fear being exposed by coming into the light of God’s presence. Fear keeps them from receiving the blessing of God’s love as revealed in Christ Jesus. Fear enslaves them to the condemnation under which they live.

The Philippian jailer confronted a crisis for which he was unprepared. He found the captives in his prison all set free from their chains, enabled to escape the prison. This put his own life in jeopardy, for if they had escaped Rome would claim his life in payment for the escaped prisoners. He took his sword, prepared to take his own life in anticipation of being treated in a much harsher manner by the authorities when the words of Paul stopped him. “Do not harm yourself, for we are all here!”

If the jailer had been unprepared for finding the doors of the jail open, he was less-prepared for words such as these! Why would the prisoners NOT have escaped? Surely, any prisoner who found the doors to the cell opened would jump at the chance to redeem their lives by escape. He called for lights and rushed in to Paul and Silas to beg for their aid in making sense of it all. His own heritage had not prepared him for what he was facing. It did not give him the background to understand the events that confronted him, nor these prisoners who sang praise to their God from their prison dungeon.

He turned his back on his own heritage, finding it unable to make sense of the reality before him. He begged Paul and Silas for a new understanding, helping him gain a new perspective and understanding of life. He knew that they had something that was lacking in his own background. He recognized that they had a freedom and peace that his own heritage could not explain. While they were imprisoned, they were yet free in a manner that he was not. Their action of remaining in the prison had saved his own life, and yet he recognized that he needed something more.

When we face difficulty, frustration, stress, or anxiety, does our heritage offer answers that are adequate? Where do we find the direction that we need to meet the real challenges of life? As we assess the myriad influences of our heritage and tradition, do we find the direction and peace that we need? Josiah found that serving God with integrity was its own reward. Though he could not alter the impending judgement upon Judah, he could alter his response and the heritage he would pass on to others. As we assess the heritage we have received, will we alter the heritage we leave behind? We steer our lives by these choices. Will we choose to follow God’s direction as the Body of Christ Jesus—His presence in a needy world?

—©2004 Christopher B. Harbin

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