Introduction:
Josiah, the son of Amon and the grandson of Manasseh, ascended to the throne of Judah at the tender age of eight following the assassination of his father. His reign, which began around 640 BC, is noted for its significant religious reforms and a return to the worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel. Josiah's early reign is characterized by his commitment to restoring the covenantal relationship between God and His people, as outlined in the Torah.

Background:
Josiah's reign came at a time when Judah was steeped in idolatry and moral decay, a legacy left by his predecessors, particularly Manasseh, who had introduced various forms of pagan worship. The political landscape was also shifting, with the Assyrian Empire weakening, which allowed Josiah more freedom to implement his reforms without external interference.

Religious Reforms:
Josiah's early reign is marked by a profound religious awakening. At the age of sixteen, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David. By the time he was twenty, he initiated a campaign to purge Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles, carved idols, and cast images. This is recorded in 2 Chronicles 34:3-4 : "In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his father David. In the twelfth year, he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherah poles, the carved idols, and the cast images."

The Discovery of the Book of the Law:
A pivotal moment in Josiah's early reign was the discovery of the Book of the Law during the eighteenth year of his reign, as the temple was being repaired. This event is detailed in 2 Kings 22:8-10 : "Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, 'I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD.' And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, who read it. And Shaphan the scribe went to the king and reported, 'Your servants have paid out the money that was found in the house and have put it into the hands of the supervisors and workers.' Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king, 'Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.' And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king."

Upon hearing the words of the Law, Josiah tore his clothes in distress, recognizing the extent of Judah's disobedience and the impending judgment. He immediately sought guidance from the prophetess Huldah, who confirmed that disaster would come upon Judah but assured Josiah that it would not occur during his lifetime due to his humility and repentance (2 Kings 22:11-20).

Renewal of the Covenant:
In response to the discovery of the Book of the Law, Josiah convened all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, from the least to the greatest, and read the words of the covenant to them. He renewed the covenant in the presence of the LORD, committing himself and the people to follow the LORD and keep His commandments with all their heart and soul. This is recorded in 2 Kings 23:1-3 : "Then the king summoned all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. And he went up to the house of the LORD with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the priests and the prophets—all the people from the least to the greatest. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD. So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people entered into the covenant."

Passover Celebration:
Josiah's early reign also saw the reinstitution of the Passover, which had not been observed with such dedication since the days of the judges. This celebration is described in 2 Chronicles 35:18 : "No Passover like it had been observed in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet. None of the kings of Israel had ever observed a Passover like the one that Josiah observed with the priests, the Levites, all Judah and Israel who were present, and the people of Jerusalem."

Conclusion:
Josiah's early reign is a testament to his dedication to restoring true worship in Judah and his desire to lead his people back to the covenantal faithfulness required by God. His reforms set a spiritual benchmark for the nation, even as the shadow of impending judgment loomed over Judah due to the sins of previous generations.