Josiah, the sixteenth king of Judah, is renowned for his fervent religious reforms and his zealous commitment to purging idolatry from the land. His reign, which began when he was only eight years old, is marked by a profound dedication to restoring the worship of Yahweh and eradicating the evil practices that had infiltrated Judah under previous kings.

Background and Ascension to the Throne

Josiah ascended to the throne following the assassination of his father, Amon, who had continued the idolatrous practices of his predecessor, Manasseh. The spiritual state of Judah was in disarray, with the temple neglected and the Law of the Lord forgotten. Josiah's early reign was characterized by a desire to seek the God of his ancestor David, setting the stage for his later reforms.

Discovery of the Book of the Law

A pivotal moment in Josiah's reign occurred during the eighteenth year of his rule when Hilkiah the high priest discovered the Book of the Law in the temple (2 Kings 22:8). Upon hearing the words of the Law, Josiah was deeply moved and tore his clothes in an expression of grief and repentance (2 Kings 22:11). Recognizing the severity of Judah's departure from God's commandments, Josiah sought to renew the covenant with the Lord.

Religious Reforms and Zeal for Purity

Josiah's response to the rediscovered Law was marked by a zealous campaign to cleanse Judah of idolatry and restore true worship. He initiated a series of reforms that demonstrated his commitment to punishing evil and purifying the nation:

1. Destruction of Idolatrous Practices: Josiah ordered the removal and destruction of pagan altars, Asherah poles, and high places throughout Judah and even into the territories of the former northern kingdom of Israel (2 Kings 23:4-20). He defiled the sites of idol worship, ensuring they could not be used again.

2. Abolition of False Worship: The king eradicated the practices of child sacrifice, divination, and other abominations that had been introduced by previous kings (2 Kings 23:10-14). He also removed the idolatrous priests who had led the people astray.

3. Restoration of the Passover: Josiah reinstituted the celebration of the Passover, which had been neglected for generations. This observance was conducted with unprecedented zeal and adherence to the Law, as recorded in 2 Kings 23:21-23: "The king commanded all the people, 'Keep the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.'"

4. Renewal of the Covenant: Josiah gathered the people of Judah and read the Book of the Covenant to them, leading them in a public renewal of their commitment to follow the Lord and His commandments (2 Kings 23:1-3).

Legacy and Impact

Josiah's reign is often viewed as a high point in the history of Judah, characterized by a return to the worship of Yahweh and a rejection of idolatry. His zeal for punishing evil and purifying the nation is commended in Scripture: "Before him there was no king like him who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him" (2 Kings 23:25).

Despite Josiah's efforts, the judgment pronounced upon Judah for the sins of Manasseh was not averted (2 Kings 23:26-27). Nevertheless, Josiah's reforms left a lasting impact, demonstrating the power of righteous leadership and the importance of adhering to God's commandments. His life serves as a testament to the zeal required to confront and eradicate evil, even in the face of overwhelming cultural and spiritual decay.2 Kings 23:20
And he slew all the priests of the high places that were there on the altars, and burned men's bones on them, and returned to Jerusalem.
Nave's Topical Index

Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
... contained much doctrine to a religious mind, even ... already been engaged in repressing
and punishing God's enemies ... temper, in the midst of zeal, resoluteness, and ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon vii josiah a pattern.htm

Upon Our Lord's SermonOn the Mount
... And many who had a real zeal for God have ... in the above-mentioned words, I mean religious
fasting. ... have largely insisted on; namely, the punishing themselves for ...
/.../wesley/sermons on several occasions/sermon 27 upon our lords.htm

Nature of Covenanting.
... the justice of God's procedure in punishing should the ... operating together in various
benevolent or religious schemes, and ... not merely in love and zeal, but also ...
/.../cunningham/the ordinance of covenanting/chapter i nature of covenanting.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... measures of Laud, and the zeal of Charles ... which enabled him to indulge in religious
speculations, still ... Here his evil habits followed him, notwithstanding his ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

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