An Unlikely Messenger

Pharaoh Neco was commander of a mighty empire with a massive army. The Egyptians had many gods and the Pharaoh was considered to be one of them.

Yet there is an account in 2 Chronicles 35 where this ruler was used as a messenger of God to Josiah, king of Judah.

The Egyptian army was on its way to Carchemish, along the Euphrates river. To get there, the army had to go through Judah. Neco was not interested in fighting Judah, just passing through to get to a battle.

Josiah, king of Judah, went out with his army to start a fight. Neco sent envoys with this message, "What have we to do with each other, king of Judah? I am not coming against you this day, but against the house with which I am at war. And God has commanded me to hurry. Cease opposing God, who is with me, let He destroy you" (v 21).

Josiah "...did not listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God" (v 22).

He disguised himself and went into battle. The archers struck him and he died.

Two interesting lessons:

1. A pagan, polytheistic king was being used by God to carry out His plans, and the king knew it. He was on a mission from Elohim. God had commanded him and he was obeying.
2. A pagan, polytheistic king was a messenger of God, but the king of God's people chose not to obey God. Even though Josiah had been a godly king, when the message came from this unlikely messenger, he chose not to listen.

God's instruments and His messengers may not always be the ones we expect. He may choose to use an unregenerate person to carry out His plans and deliver His message.

Our task it to follow and listen to God's plans, even if it comes from an unlikely messenger.