The preceding chapters in 2 Kings 16-20 show how a single-minded focus prepares yourself to equip the next generation by trusting in God, prayer, meditation on God’s word, walking in truth and using insights and resources to spiritually equip them to meet future challenges.  The character of leadership determines to a large degree whether people live godly or ungodly lives. You will learn how to rebel against an ungodly culture.

Manasseh did evil according to the abominations of the nations. He rebuilt the high places his father Hezekiah destroyed, erected altars for Baal and made an Asherah like Ahab king of Israel. He built altars and placed the Asherah in the house of the Lord. He placed altars for all the host of heaven in its two courts. He practiced witchcraft, used divination and dealt with mediums and spiritists. By observing the law Moses commanded, they would not wander from the land. Instead, Manasseh seduced them to do evil more than the nations that the Lord destroyed (2 Kings 21:1-9). Ungodly leaders create a culture that seduces people to do evil so they can’t possess God’s promises. 

The Lord spoke through the prophets that He would bring such calamity on Jerusalem and Judah that peoples’ ears would tingle. He would wipe out Jerusalem, abandon His inheritance and deliver them into the hand of their enemies as plunder and spoil because of their evil.  Manasseh shed much innocent blood filling Jerusalem completely. He made Judah sin with his idols (2 Kings 21:10-18). Ungodly leaders’ idolatry deliver people over to evil.  

Amon walked in the way of his father Manasseh by serving and worshiping idols. He forsook the Lord and did not walk in the way of the Lord. The servants of Amon conspired and  killed him. The people of the land killed all who conspired against Amon. Josiah his son became king (2 Kings 21:19-26). People rebel against ungodly leadership when they grow tired of sin and idolatry.  

Josiah did right in the sight of the Lord and walked in the way of David, not turning from the right or left. He had the high priest deliver money to the workmen, including carpenters, builders, masons and for buying timber and hewn stone, so they could repair damages to the house of the Lord. Because of their faithfulness, they made no accounting of the money delivered to them (2 Kings 22:1-7).
Godly leaders equip people in God’s word so they can walk in the way of the Lord.   

They found the book of the law in the house of the Lord and read it to Josiah. He asked the high priest, scribes and king’s servant to inquire of the Lord because God’s wrath burned against them. Their fathers had not listened to its words in doing what was written concerning them (2 Kings 22:8-13). 
Godly leaders call others to pray when God’s wrath burns against a community. 

Huldah the prophetess predicted God’s wrath would come upon them because they forsook God and burned incense to other gods with all the work of their hands. Because Josiah’s heart was tender and he humbled himself before the Lord when he heard this place would become a desolation and a curse, God truly heard him after he tore his clothes and wept before Him. He would be gathered to his grave in peace and not see all the evil God would do (2 Kings 22:14-20). God hears the prayers of those with tender and humble hearts who cry out fervently to Him. 

If you are exposed to an ungodly culture because of evil leaders filled with idolatry, rebel against it!
How? 
1. Equip people in God’s word so they walk in the way of the Lord 
2. Call others to prayer 
3. Have a tender and humble heart so God will hear your prayers 


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