Sunday, October 15, 2017

Legacy

Legacy

You could think of your life’s legacy in terms of the following question, ‘Long after you are dead and buried, what will people remember about you?’ That is fine; but I think the more important question is, ‘In what ways did your life impact those around you and those who came after you?’ With those two questions in mind, let’s look at two kings from the Davidic Dynasty.

King Solomon ruled over the united kingdoms of Judah and Israel in 971-931 BC. In 641-609 BC, King Josiah ruled over the southern kingdom of Judah (the northern kingdom of Israel had already been defeated and exiled in 722 BC by Assyria). Although the reign of these kings was separated by 290 years, their legacies are linked together in surprising ways.


Personal Experience
Both kings knew God.

Solomon had a personal encounter with God in a dream.
  • 1 Kings 3:4-5 Now the king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place: Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 5 At Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night; and God said, “Ask! What shall I give you?”
    • God spoke to Solomon in a dream and granted his request for wisdom.

Josiah had a personal encounter with God in a book.
  • 2 Kings 22:10-11 Then Shaphan the scribe showed the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king. 11 Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes.
    • When Josiah heard the Word of God and what the Law of the LORD required and expected of God’s chosen people, he humbled himself and mourned over the sin of his kingdom.

Memorable Assets
Both kings were advantaged.

Solomon’s Wisdom and Wealth
  • 1 Kings 3:12-13 behold, I have done according to your words; see, I have given you a wise and understanding heart, so that there has not been anyone like you before you, nor shall any like you arise after you. 13 And I have also given you what you have not asked: both riches and honor, so that there shall not be anyone like you among the kings all your days.
    • God made Solomon the wisest man of all time. He also blessed him with tremendous wealth.

Josiah’s Love and Obedience
  • 2 Kings 23:25 Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him.
    • Josiah loved and obeyed the Lord like no other king before or since.

Dramatic Impact
Both kings had significant influence on their kingdoms.

Solomon’s Great Sin
  • 1 Kings 11:5-7 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 6 Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lord, as did his father David. 7 Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the hill that is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the people of Ammon.
    • For three centuries, the abominable pagan temples built by Solomon encouraged and enabled the people of Judah to worship false gods.

Josiah’s Great Reforms
  • 2 Kings 23:13 Then the king defiled the high places that were east of Jerusalem, which were on the south of the Mount of Corruption, which Solomon king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the people of Ammon.
    • Along with many other God honoring decisions and acts, Josiah destroyed the temples built by Solomon and led Judah back to worshipping the LORD.

Historical Legacy
Both kings inherited empires affected by previous rulers and circumstances.

Solomon
  • 1 Kings 11:11 Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, “Because you have done this, and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant.
    • Despite his wisdom, wealth and inheritance of the united kingdoms of Judah and Israel (which were peaceful, prosperous and full of promise), because of his great sin, Solomon led his kingdom into division and depravity.

Josiah
  • 2 Kings 22:19-20 because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and you tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you,” says the Lord. 20 “Surely, therefore, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace; and your eyes shall not see all the calamity which I will bring on this place.”’” So they brought back word to the king.
    • Despite inheriting a kingdom marked by upheaval and ungodliness, because of his great reforms, Josiah reigned over Judah during a period of peace.

Messianic Legacy
Both kings were part of the royal lineage of Jesus Christ.

Davidic Covenant
  • 2 Samuel 7:16 And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.
    • Jesus was prophesied to be a direct descendant of King David. Solomon and Josiah were both direct descendants of David.

Notes on the lineage of Jesus:
  • Christ is a regal/legal descendent of David through Joseph (see Matthew 1:5-10 for the genealogy of Joseph through David’s son Solomon and descendent Josiah).
    • Joseph was not the biological father of Jesus. But as Jesus’ earthly (legal) father, Joseph’s royal heritage was required to fulfill the Davidic lineage prophesies.
  • Christ is a biological/bloodline descendent of David through Mary (see Luke 3:31-32 for the genealogy of Mary through David’s son Nathan (Solomon’s older brother)).
    • As Jesus’ biological mother, Mary’s direct link through the bloodline of David was also required to fulfill the prophesies about his heritage.

Your Legacy
How will your life impact others, now and in the future?

Regardless of your background, circumstances, lineage, surroundings, etc., through salvation in Jesus Christ, you can live a life that glorifies the LORD. You can show the love of Jesus, share the truth about Jesus, and with the Word of God, help bring others to God for peace in this life and eternal life in heaven.
  • Galatians 3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
  • John 15:8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
  • Romans 10:17 So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
  • John 3:36 He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.”


Prayer

Merciful Father in Heaven, may those who know Christ as Lord and Savior live the life you have called and empowered us to live; thus leaving a legacy of truth, love and good works that brings the gospel message of Jesus to many and in every way glorifies Your holy name. Please draw the lost to Jesus. I ask these things in the name of Jesus Christ, by whose stripes I am healed. Amen.