It
‘s difficult finding real heroes today! Years ago there seemed to be more to choose from. There were actors like John Wayne and Roy Rogers. There were sports heroes like Bart Starr and hammerin’ Hank Aaron. There were politicians like Lincoln and Washington. Today it seems that no sooner do we think we’ve latched onto a new hero when we start to learn things about the person that are not very hero-like. Athletes, entertainers, and even people within our own communities often begin as heroes, only to eventually lose their hero status.
What is it that makes a superhero; one who will last through the ages and one we can be certain will not let us down?
Let’s take a look at a young man named Josiah. Josiah was a king of Israel for 31 years. He died at age 39. If you do the math, you realize that Josiah was crowned king at age 8. What were you doing when you were 8 years old? Josiah became the king because his father, Amon, died. Josiah was raised by his mother, Jedidah, a woman who became a prominent influence in the young man’s life.
Scripture neatly lays out Josiah’s accomplishments. Notice that as God tells the story, he repeatedly and intentionally mentions Josiah’s age.
Age 8: “Josiah was eight years old when he became king” (34:1).
Age 16: “In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, [Josiah] began to seek the God of his father David” (34:3).
Age 20: “In his twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles, carved idols and cast images” (34:3).
Age 26: “In the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign, . . . he sent Shaphan . . . to repair the temple of the Lord his God” (34:8). Josiah also found a copy of the Law buried deep within the temple, and he read it thoroughly. He loved it and searched out those who could help him understand it! Excited over his new discovery, Josiah had everyone in the land pledge their faithfulness to the Lord. Then he celebrated with a massive worship service.
Age 39: “He reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years” (34:1). Josiah died in a battle while protecting his land. He was deeply missed and was mourned as a hero. Even Jeremiah wrote a folk song about the king who set an example for everyone. “Jeremiah composed laments for Josiah, and to this day all the men and women singers commemorate Josiah in the laments. These became a tradition in Israel” (35:25).
Perhaps one might think that Josiah had a strong God-fearing father. Such was not the case. The Bible says, “[Amon, Josiah’s father] did evil in the eyes of the Lord, as his father Manasseh [Josiah’s grandfather] had done” (33:22). But Josiah did the right thing, and he wasn’t ashamed to do it. He did the unpopular thing, and he didn’t let it bother him. He did the uncommon thing, yet he wasn’t afraid what others said about him. Josiah never let anyone take his focus off the goal: his hope in the promise of the Savior. What was Josiah thinking when he was 8, 16, 20, 26, and 39 years old? He was thinking all the right things! His mind was on God’s ways. His thoughts were on God’s counsel.
Heroes come in all shapes, sizes, and ages. Eight-year-olds can also teach lessons. Josiah=s life was no easier than our lives are today. He lived in a world of evil and godlessness, just as we do, but Josiah bucked the trend! “He lived in the ways of his ancestor David and never stopped living this way” (34:2, God’s Word ed.). What a great example! What a true hero!
Personal goal: Search the Scripture to find other saints who can stand as your personal faith heroes.
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