What scriptural connections exist between Josiah's reforms and New Testament teachings on holiness? Setting the Scene: 2 Chronicles 34:7 “He tore down the altars and the Asherah poles, crushed the idols to powder, and cut to pieces all the incense altars throughout the land of Israel. Then he returned to Jerusalem.” A Zeal to Purify: Josiah’s Actions • Systematic destruction of every competing altar • Pulverizing idols so nothing remained to recycle • Clearing incense sites that once carried pagan worship • Returning to Jerusalem—a picture of restored covenant focus Parallel Call: New-Testament Holiness • 2 Corinthians 7:1 — “let us cleanse ourselves from every defilement of body and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” • 1 Peter 1:15-16 — “be holy in all you do.” • Romans 12:1-2 — “offer your bodies as living sacrifices… be transformed.” • Ephesians 4:22-24 — “put off… be renewed… put on the new self.” Josiah’s outward cleansing foreshadows the inward, Spirit-powered cleansing demanded of every believer. Destruction of Idols → Heart Idolatry • Colossians 3:5 — “Put to death… greed, which is idolatry.” • 1 John 5:21 — “keep yourselves from idols.” • 1 Corinthians 10:14 — “flee from idolatry.” Just as Josiah shattered wooden and stone images, the gospel calls us to smash concealed idols—ambitions, lusts, habits—that rival Christ. Repair of the Temple → We Are God’s Temple • 2 Chronicles 34:8 (context) records Josiah sending men to repair the house of the LORD. • 1 Corinthians 3:16-17 — “you yourselves are God’s temple.” • 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 — “your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit… therefore glorify God.” Temple restoration in Jerusalem mirrors the Spirit’s ongoing renovation within every believer. Rediscovering the Law → Letting the Word Dwell Richly • 2 Chronicles 34:14-19 shows the Book of the Law found and read. • Colossians 3:16 — “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly.” • James 1:22 — “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” Holiness flourishes when Scripture is rediscovered, treasured, and obeyed. Passover Renewal → Living Sacrifice & Purged Leaven • 2 Chronicles 35 pictures a Passover unlike any since Samuel. • 1 Corinthians 5:7-8 — “Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed… let us keep the feast… with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” • Romans 12:1 — lives offered as ongoing worship echo Israel’s renewed feast. Summary Connections • Josiah removes defilement; the NT calls believers to continual self-cleansing. • Josiah smashes idols; the NT targets hidden heart-idols. • Josiah repairs the temple; the NT reveals believers as the Spirit’s temple. • Josiah rediscovers Scripture; the NT urges rich, obedient immersion in the Word. • Josiah renews Passover; the NT celebrates the fulfilled Passover through holy living. Practical Takeaways • Invite the Spirit to spotlight and pulverize present-day idols. • Treat personal holiness as temple maintenance—daily, thorough, joyful. • Keep Scripture central; revival begins where the Word is opened. • Celebrate Christ our Passover by living an unleavened—sincere, truthful—life. |
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