Piety of Exemplified in his Repairing of the Temple

Josiah, the sixteenth king of Judah, reigned from approximately 640 to 609 BC. He ascended to the throne at the tender age of eight following the assassination of his father, Amon. Josiah is remembered as one of the most pious and reformative kings in the history of Judah, noted for his zealous commitment to the worship of Yahweh and his efforts to restore the spiritual and religious integrity of his nation.

Background and Early Reign

Josiah's reign is chronicled in the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. His early years were marked by a return to the worship of the God of Israel, in stark contrast to the idolatrous practices of his predecessors. The young king's heart was inclined toward the ways of his forefather David, as noted in 2 Kings 22:2 : "And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left."

Repairing of the Temple

One of the most significant acts of Josiah's reign was his initiative to repair the Temple in Jerusalem, which had fallen into disrepair during the reigns of previous kings who had neglected the worship of Yahweh. In the eighteenth year of his reign, Josiah ordered the high priest Hilkiah to use the funds collected from the people to restore the Temple. This act of piety is recorded in 2 Kings 22:3-7 :

"In the eighteenth year of his reign, King Josiah sent the scribe Shaphan son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, to the house of the LORD, saying, 'Go up to Hilkiah the high priest and have him count the money brought into the house of the LORD, which the doorkeepers have collected from the people. And let them deliver it into the hands of the supervisors of the work on the house of the LORD, to give it to the workers repairing the damages to the house of the LORD—to the carpenters, builders, and masons—to buy timber and dressed stone to repair the temple. But they need not account for the money put into their hands, since they work with integrity.'"

Discovery of the Book of the Law

During the Temple repairs, Hilkiah the high priest discovered the Book of the Law, believed to be a copy of the Torah. This discovery was pivotal in Josiah's reign and led to a national religious revival. Upon hearing the words of the Law, Josiah tore his clothes in a sign of repentance and humility, recognizing the nation's departure from God's commandments. He then sought guidance from the prophetess Huldah, who confirmed the impending judgment on Judah but assured Josiah of God's favor due to his contrite heart (2 Kings 22:11-20).

Religious Reforms

Josiah's response to the discovery of the Book of the Law was comprehensive and transformative. He convened all the people of Judah and read the words of the Law to them, renewing the covenant with the LORD. His reforms included the removal of idolatrous practices, the destruction of high places, and the reinstitution of the Passover, which had not been observed with such fervor since the days of the judges (2 Kings 23:1-25).

Josiah's dedication to the LORD and his efforts to purify the worship practices of Judah exemplify his piety and commitment to the covenant. His reign is a testament to the power of sincere devotion and the impact of godly leadership in turning a nation back to the ways of the LORD.2 Kings 22:3-7
And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying,
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2 Chronicles 34:1-4
Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years.
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Who was King Josiah in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was Huldah the prophetess in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who was King Amon in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

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