Topical Bible: Government: Mosaic: Josiah Assembles to Hear the Law of the Lord

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The reign of King Josiah of Judah is marked by a significant religious reform and a return to the Mosaic Law, as recorded in the Old Testament. Josiah, who became king at the tender age of eight, is noted for his devout commitment to the Lord and his efforts to restore the covenantal relationship between God and His people. His actions are a profound example of theocratic leadership, where the governance of the nation is deeply intertwined with adherence to divine law.

Discovery of the Book of the Law

The pivotal moment in Josiah's reign occurs in the eighteenth year of his rule when Hilkiah the high priest discovers the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord. This discovery is chronicled 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 entrusted it to the workers and supervisors at the house of the LORD.'"

Upon hearing the words of the Law, Josiah is deeply moved and tears his clothes, a traditional expression of mourning and repentance. Recognizing the nation's deviation from the commandments, he seeks to renew the covenant with the Lord.

The Assembly and Covenant Renewal

Josiah's response to the reading of the Law is immediate and decisive. He gathers all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, from the elders to the youngest, to the house of the Lord. This assembly is a significant event, demonstrating the king's commitment to lead his people back to the statutes of God. 2 Kings 23:1-3 describes this moment: "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."

Reforms and Observance

Following the assembly, Josiah implements extensive reforms to eradicate idolatry and restore proper worship. He orders the removal of all idols and altars dedicated to foreign gods, purges the land of pagan priests, and reinstitutes the celebration of the Passover, as prescribed in the Law. 2 Kings 23:21-23 records, "The king commanded all the people, 'Keep the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.' For such a Passover had not been observed since the days of the judges who judged Israel, nor throughout all the days of the kings of Israel and Judah. But in the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign, this Passover was observed to the LORD in Jerusalem."

Josiah's reforms are a testament to his dedication to the Mosaic Law and his desire to lead his people in righteousness. His actions underscore the importance of the Law as the foundation of governance and societal order in ancient Israel, reflecting a model where civil authority is exercised in accordance with divine commandments.

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2 Kings 23:1
And the king sent, and they gathered to him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.
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2 Chronicles 34:29,31
Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem.
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Library

And ii.
... together the dispersed of Israel, and assembles the scattered ... of David, and by the
hand of Josiah and Hezekiah ... placed between, so that God's government was then ...
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