What qualities of Josiah's reign should we emulate in our spiritual leadership? Setting the Scene – Josiah’s Early Reign “Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath.” (2 Kings 22:1) Even at an age when most children are still learning the basics of life, Josiah was entrusted with leading a nation. His story invites us to see how God can work mightily through anyone who is surrendered to Him, regardless of age or background. Whole-Hearted Devotion from a Young Age • 2 Kings 22:2 – “He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the ways of his father David; he turned neither to the right nor to the left.” • 2 Chronicles 34:3 – “In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David.” Lessons to emulate – Begin pursuing the Lord without delay; spiritual leadership starts with a personal, unwavering commitment. – Refuse half-measures—Josiah’s straight path (“neither right nor left”) calls us to consistent obedience, not selective obedience. A Tender Heart Toward God’s Word • 2 Kings 22:8–11 – When the Book of the Law was found, Josiah listened, believed, and “tore his clothes.” • Deuteronomy 17:18-20 – God had long required Israel’s kings to copy the Law and read it all their days; Josiah finally embraced that mandate. Lessons to emulate – Treat Scripture as the final authority; let it shape every decision. – Approach God’s Word with humility, allowing conviction to lead to repentance rather than defensiveness. Immediate and Decisive Reform • 2 Kings 23:4-14 – Josiah removed idols, smashed pagan altars, and defiled places of false worship. • 2 Chronicles 34:7 – He “pulverized the altars and Asherah poles … and returned to Jerusalem.” Lessons to emulate – Confront sin promptly; procrastination only deepens compromise. – Lead by example—Josiah personally oversaw the cleansing of Judah, modeling courage for those he led. Renewed Covenant Worship • 2 Kings 23:21 – “The king commanded all the people, ‘Celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.’” • 2 Kings 23:22 – “No such Passover had been observed … since the days of the judges.” Lessons to emulate – Restore God-centered worship; true reform is not merely removing evil but re-establishing righteous practices. – Call the community to remember redemption (Passover foreshadows Christ’s saving work), anchoring leadership in the gospel storyline. Perseverance and Unmatched Zeal • 2 Kings 23:25 – “Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, according to all the Law of Moses.” Lessons to emulate – Cultivate enduring passion; zeal sustained over time influences generations. – Serve with “all” the heart, soul, and strength—echoing Deuteronomy 6:5—so others see wholehearted love for God as the norm. Putting Josiah’s Qualities into Practice Today • Early and unwavering commitment to seek the Lord. • Reverence for Scripture that yields quick repentance. • Courage to confront and remove entrenched sin. • Restoration of authentic worship centered on God’s redemptive work. • Lifelong zeal that refuses to fade, leading others into deeper devotion. The Holy Spirit, who empowered Josiah to lead faithfully in dark days, equips us likewise. Emulating these qualities draws us—and those we influence—ever closer to wholehearted obedience to the living God. |
    |