Josiah: A Hope Renewed – (2 Kings 22 & 23)

Josiah, ascending the throne of Judah at the tender age of eight, was a ruler who stood out for his unparalleled devotion to God. His reign, which lasted thirty-one years in Jerusalem, is marked by mass reformations, unwavering adherence to the ways of his forefather David, and a heartfelt commitment to the covenant with the LORD. However, the reforms may have come too late, as Josiah’s early death marked the beginning of the end for the kingdom of Judah.

Early Reforms

In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David. – 2 Chronicles 34:3 (NIV)

Josiah began his reign by seeking the God of his father David at the young age of sixteen. In his twelfth year, he initiated a thorough purge of Judah and Jerusalem, eradicating high places, Asherah poles, and idols. The altars of Baal were demolished, and the idols and incense altars were shattered and scattered over the graves of those who had worshipped them. This zealous effort extended throughout the territories of Manasseh, Ephraim, and as far as Naphtali, symbolizing a nationwide return to the worship of the LORD.

Josiah, despite his father’s corruption, likely found God at a young age through the guidance of those around him who knew the ways of the LORD. Perhaps his mother, Jedidah, taught him to avoid following his father’s path, fearing the consequences of his father’s assassination. This upbringing and guidance would have led Josiah to seek the LORD for direction and guidance early in his reign as king.

The Discovery of the Book of the Law

In the eighteenth year of his reign, Josiah set out to purify the land and restore the temple. He appointed his secretary Shaphan and other officials to oversee the temple repairs. During this process, Hilkiah the high priest found the Book of the Law, believed to date back to Moses. This significant discovery was immediately reported to Josiah. Upon hearing the words of the Law, Josiah tore his robes in despair, realizing how far the nation had strayed from God’s commands.

For a decade, Josiah adhered to the religious practices of his predecessors without fully understanding the specific legal requirements. His focus was on preserving sanctity rather than actively pursuing the directives laid out in the law. While his intentions were sincere, he lacked clear guidance on how to fully comply with the law’s demands during this time. Regarding the Book of the Law, its misplacement within the temple likely occurred due to the people not prioritizing it, which resulted in neglect and eventual disuse.

Josiah commanded Hilkiah and his officials to seek guidance from the LORD concerning the words of the newly found book. They consulted Huldah, a prophetess in Jerusalem, who prophesied impending disaster on Judah due to the people’s unfaithfulness. However, because of Josiah’s humble and penitent heart, God assured him that he would be gathered to his ancestors in peace, sparing him from witnessing the coming calamity.

Therefore I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be buried in peace. – 2 Kings 22:20 (NIV)

The LORD assured Josiah that he would be buried in peace. His body rested peacefully in the tomb of his ancestors. Despite his untimely death, Josiah was spared from being captured or taken as a prisoner, a fate that befell his descendants in later years.

Renewal of the Covenant

In a monumental public assembly, Josiah called together all the elders, priests, prophets, and people of Judah and Jerusalem. At the temple, he read aloud the words of the Book of the Covenant and renewed the covenant in the presence of the LORD. This covenant renewal was a collective commitment to follow the LORD and keep His commands, statutes, and decrees with all their heart and soul. The people pledged themselves to this covenant, marking a significant spiritual revival in Judah.

The king stood by the pillar and renewed the covenant in the presence of the LORD—to follow the LORD and keep his commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, thus confirming the words of the covenant written in this book. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant. – 2 Kings 23:3 (NIV)

The purpose of renewing the covenant, despite the people reverting to their old ways, served as a temporary satisfaction, akin to confessing sins or partaking in holy communion. It acted as a booster dose against the deep-seated sins that had become ingrained, temporarily addressing the issue at hand, even if the people’s commitment waned over time.

Eradication of Idolatry

Josiah’s reformation extended beyond mere promises. He ordered the removal and destruction of all articles made for Baal, Asherah, and the starry hosts from the temple. The idolatrous priests were dismissed, and the high places where they had burned incense were desecrated. The king desecrated Topheth in the Valley of Ben Hinnom to prevent child sacrifices to Molek and removed horses and chariots dedicated to the sun from the temple entrance. Altars erected by previous kings were demolished, and their rubble was thrown into the Kidron Valley. Josiah also defiled the high places Solomon had built for Ashtoreth, Chemosh, and Molek, ensuring that the sites of idolatry were permanently desecrated.

Josiah slaughtered all the priests of those high places on the altars and burned human bones on them. – 2 Kings 23:20 (NIV)

Did Josiah go overboard with his reformation efforts? While these events were foretold by the man of God from Judah (1 Kings 13), it remains unclear whether this prophetic validation excuses the severity of Josiah’s reforms.

Celebrating the Passover

In his eighteenth year as king of Judah, Josiah orchestrated a monumental Passover in Jerusalem, as detailed in 2 Chronicles 35:1-19. Josiah’s command to observe the Passover, in accordance with the Book of the Covenant, marked an unprecedented display of faith and devotion. He provided abundant sacrificial animals, enabling widespread participation in this sacred festival. The meticulous organization by priests and Levites ensured a reverent and seamless celebration, emphasizing Josiah’s commitment to reinstating proper worship practices.

This event highlighted Josiah’s dedication to restoring authentic worship and obedience to the LORD’s laws. This grand event underscored Josiah’s spiritual renewal and fidelity to God’s commandments, uniting Judah, Israel, and Jerusalem in a profound observance unmatched since the time of Samuel the prophet. However, the celebration seems contradictory to Isaiah’s prophecy,

Stop bringing meaningless offerings! Your incense is detestable to me. New Moons, Sabbaths and convocations — I cannot bear your worthless assemblies. Your New Moon feasts and your appointed festivals I hate with all my being. They have become a burden to me; I am weary of bearing them. – Isaiah 1:13-14 (NIV)

Josiah’s need to celebrate the Passover festival, despite God expressing through his prophet Isaiah that He despised it, reflects a sense of adherence to written tradition rather than seeking direct guidance from God. Isaiah had already conveyed God’s disapproval of empty rituals, where outward observance lacked inner transformation of the heart. Josiah’s orthodox faith likely drove him to revive the foundational aspects of Israel’s faith, akin to the early days after the Exodus under Moses.

However, despite repeated readings of the Exodus narrative over seven centuries, the people had grown indifferent to its significance. This situation illustrates the danger of adhering rigidly to traditions without understanding their original meaning, as seen in Josiah’s time when people merely went through the motions of faith.

A Tragic End

Josiah’s reign is lauded for his unparalleled devotion to the LORD, as he turned to God with all his heart, soul, and strength, in strict accordance with the Law of Moses. However, despite his reforms, the LORD’s fierce anger against Judah, kindled by the sins of Manasseh, remained. God’s judgment on Judah was inevitable, and He declared that He would remove Judah from His presence, just as He had Israel. Josiah’s reign ended tragically when he confronted Pharaoh Necho of Egypt at Megiddo. Disguised in battle, Josiah was fatally wounded by archers. His death prompted nationwide mourning, with the prophet Jeremiah composing laments in his honour. Josiah was laid to rest alongside his ancestors, and following his death, the kingdom of Israel descended into turmoil with the people returning to their pagan ways.

King Josiah’s transformative efforts, despite his untimely death at thirty-nine at the hands of the Egyptian army and the subsequent return of the people to their pagan practices, underscore a deeper spiritual purpose. While Josiah could have benefited from seeking God’s guidance before battle, the true aim of his reforms was not merely to secure Judah’s survival but to prompt a genuine return of the people’s hearts to God. Even if only a few truly repented during his reign, Josiah’s reforms were meaningful in demonstrating the power of repentance, covenant renewal, and the pursuit of righteousness. His life stands as a testimony to the potential impact of sincere devotion and faithful leadership in upholding God’s covenant.

Discussion Questions

1. How did Josiah, whose father was corrupt, find God at such a young age?
2. How could the Book of the Law have been misplaced within the temple?
3. The LORD assured Josiah that he would be buried in peace, but was he truly?
4. What was the purpose of renewing the covenant if the people kept reverting to their old ways?
5. Did Josiah go overboard with his reformation efforts?
6. What is the need for celebrating the Passover festival, despite God expressing through his prophet Isaiah that he despised it?
7. What was the point of Josiah’s transformative efforts if he ultimately died at the age of thirty-nine at the hands of the Egyptian army and the people returned to their pagan ways?