“Jeremiah also uttered a lament for Josiah; and all the singing men and singing women have spoken of Josiah in their laments to this day. They made these a rule in Israel; behold, they are written in the Laments.” (2 Chronicles 35:25 ESV).

King Josiah was the last of the godly kings in Judah. His reign marked a brief window of spiritual renewal and reform before the nation’s final slide into exile. When he died tragically in battle at Megiddo, the prophet Jeremiah mourned deeply. The chronicler tells us that Jeremiah composed a lament for Josiah, a funeral dirge that became part of Israel’s cultural memory. So great was the nation’s grief that singers made Josiah’s lament part of their regular mourning rituals. Bible scholars agree that this lament is likely not the biblical book of Lamentations, but another now-lost composition. Josiah’s death symbolized more than the loss of a king—it marked the end of an era and the loss of Judah’s last great hope.

We can imagine Jeremiah’s heartbreak, not only over the death of a righteous king, but over the crumbling future of a people who refused to listen. Josiah had led a return to the Lord, but the revival was as brief as his life. After his death, the people quickly returned to their idols, and Jeremiah was left to prophesy to deaf ears and hardened hearts. He is called “the weeping prophet” because of the deep sorrow and emotion he expressed over the sins of his people and the judgment they would face. His prophetic ministry was marked by grief, tears, and personal suffering, as he watched Judah persist in rebellion against God and ultimately fall to Babylon.

Yet Christ, our greater Prophet and King, also wept over Jerusalem, knowing they would reject Him (Luke 19:41–44). And yet He still went to the cross. Unlike Josiah, whose death could not save his people, Jesus died to bring true salvation—not just a national revival, but a new covenant for all who believe. Let us not be like those who heard Jeremiah and refused to repent. Let us draw near to Christ and listen to His Word. And let us carry the gospel to others, even when it feels like no one is listening. For our labor is not in vain in the Lord.

PRAYER: Dear Father, thank You for the hope that we have in Jesus. Help us to be faithful even when our message is rejected. Keep our eyes on Jesus, our risen Savior and King, who died not only to save us from our sins, but to give us hope of eternal life, and adoption as Your children. In Jesus’ name, amen.