God’s Word will always be fulfilled, regardless of the timeline or the obstacles in its path.
King Josiah, who reigned in Judah from 640 to 609 BC, has just destroyed the pagan altar in Bethel when he notices a tomb. “Then he said, ‘What is this monument that I see?’ And the men of the city told him, ‘It is the grave of the man of God who came from Judah and proclaimed these things which you have done against the altar of Bethel.’” (2 Kings 23:17) This refers to a prophecy given generations earlier, warning that the altar at Bethel would be desecrated, showing God’s power and plan at work. Bethel was located roughly twelve miles north of Jerusalem and had become a center for idol worship during the time of King Jeroboam, contributing to Israel’s spiritual decline.
By asking “What is this monument that I see?” (2 Kings 23:17), Josiah demonstrates his desire to understand and honor the prophetic word spoken through God’s messenger. The man of God mentioned here traveled from Judah (the southern kingdom) to Bethel (within the northern kingdom) during Jeroboam’s reign to foretell the destruction that Josiah would one day carry out (see 1 Kings 13:1-2). The confirmation of this prophecy underlines God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and highlights Josiah’s role as a reformer who turned the people away from false worship and restored the authority of Scripture (Romans 15:4).
This verse vividly illustrates how God’s word outlasts long stretches of history, connecting a prophetic message from the past to the faithful actions of Josiah in his own time.
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2 Kings 23:17 meaning
King Josiah, who reigned in Judah from 640 to 609 BC, has just destroyed the pagan altar in Bethel when he notices a tomb. “Then he said, ‘What is this monument that I see?’ And the men of the city told him, ‘It is the grave of the man of God who came from Judah and proclaimed these things which you have done against the altar of Bethel.’” (2 Kings 23:17) This refers to a prophecy given generations earlier, warning that the altar at Bethel would be desecrated, showing God’s power and plan at work. Bethel was located roughly twelve miles north of Jerusalem and had become a center for idol worship during the time of King Jeroboam, contributing to Israel’s spiritual decline.
By asking “What is this monument that I see?” (2 Kings 23:17), Josiah demonstrates his desire to understand and honor the prophetic word spoken through God’s messenger. The man of God mentioned here traveled from Judah (the southern kingdom) to Bethel (within the northern kingdom) during Jeroboam’s reign to foretell the destruction that Josiah would one day carry out (see 1 Kings 13:1-2). The confirmation of this prophecy underlines God’s faithfulness in fulfilling His promises and highlights Josiah’s role as a reformer who turned the people away from false worship and restored the authority of Scripture (Romans 15:4).
This verse vividly illustrates how God’s word outlasts long stretches of history, connecting a prophetic message from the past to the faithful actions of Josiah in his own time.