Do not be impulsive in your actions

Question: In 2 Chronicles 35:20-24 recounts the story of King Josiah going out to fight Pharaoh Necho despite being warned by Necho that God had instructed him to wage war elsewhere. Could such a behaviour by Josiah could be regarded as being impulsive?

Answer:

Here are some observations from the bible story:

Necho, the Egyptian king, explicitly warned Josiah that God had commanded him to wage war elsewhere and not against Judah.
Despite this warning, Josiah persisted in going out to fight Necho.
Josiah even disguised himself to participate in the battle.
Unfortunately, Josiah was fatally wounded in the Valley of Megiddo.

Given these details, it does seem impulsive for Josiah to ignore the divine warning and engage in battle. His impulsive actions ultimately led to his own demise. However, it’s essential to consider the context and the pressures Josiah faced during that time. Perhaps he felt compelled to defend his kingdom or believed he was acting in the best interest of Judah. Regardless, the account highlights the consequences of disregarding divine guidance. As believers it is dangerous and foolish to disregard divine guidance, particularly when it comes from God’s word. God’s word above spiritual visions or encounters must remain the gold-standard by which we assess any spiritual truth presented to us

This bible story also brings out an important point that; “God can use the unlikeliest person to bring His will to pass”

The Bible is filled with stories where God uses unlikely individuals to fulfil His purposes. Here are some notable examples:

Balaam and His Donkey (Numbers 22:21-34):
- God used Balaam, a non-Israelite prophet, and even his donkey to communicate His will to prevent Balaam from cursing Israel.
Rahab (Joshua 2:1-24):
- Rahab, a Canaanite prostitute, helped the Israelite spies in Jericho, and her actions led to her being part of the lineage of Jesus (Matthew 1:5).
Ruth (Book of Ruth):
- Ruth, a Moabite widow, remained faithful to her mother-in-law Naomi and became the great-grandmother of King David, thereby part of Jesus’ genealogy.
Gideon (Judges 6-7):
- Gideon, a hesitant and fearful man from the least significant clan, was chosen by God to deliver Israel from the Midianites.
Samuel (1 Samuel 3):
- As a young boy, Samuel heard God’s voice and became a great prophet and leader in Israel.
David (1 Samuel 16-17):
- David was the youngest son of Jesse, a shepherd boy who was chosen to be king and defeated Goliath, a giant warrior.
Esther (Book of Esther):
- Esther, a Jewish orphan girl, became queen and used her position to save her people from annihilation.
The Samaritan Woman (John 4:1-42):
- A Samaritan woman, considered an outcast and sinner, was used by Jesus to spread the message of the Messiah to her entire village.
Paul (Acts 9): Saul of Tarsus, a fierce persecutor of Christians, was converted and became Paul, one of the most influential apostles in spreading Christianity

The destiny helper God may send into your life may not fit the expectations formed in your mindset, especially if the person is not someone that shares the same faith in God and belief system that you have. Therefore, how do we as believers navigate this tricky terrain?

Alignment with Scripture:
- Ensure that the message or help provided aligns with the teachings and principles of the Bible. God’s guidance will never contradict His Word.
Prayer and Discernment:
- Pray for wisdom and discernment. James 1:5 encourages believers to ask God for wisdom, which He gives generously.
Peace and Confirmation:
- Look for a sense of peace about the situation. Often, God confirms His will through peace in our hearts and through circumstances or other believers (Philippians 4:7).
Fruit of the Spirit:
- Assess whether the person exhibits the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). A godly messenger often demonstrates love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.
Counsel from Mature Believers:
- Seek advice from mature, spiritually discerning believers. Proverbs 11:14 and 15:22 highlight the value of wise counsel.
Consistency with God’s Character:
- Evaluate whether the person’s actions and words reflect God’s character. God is loving, just, merciful, and holy.