Topical Bible: Good Children: Josiah

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Introduction

Josiah, the sixteenth king of Judah, is a prominent biblical figure known for his piety and dedication to the Lord. His reign is detailed in the Old Testament books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Josiah's account is a testament to the impact of righteous leadership and the importance of adhering to God's commandments.

Early Life and Ascension to the Throne

Josiah was born to King Amon and Queen Jedidah. He ascended to the throne at the tender age of eight following the assassination of his father, Amon (2 Kings 21:24-26). Despite the idolatrous practices of his predecessors, Josiah's reign marked a significant spiritual renewal in Judah.

Religious Reforms

Josiah is best known for his religious reforms, which were initiated in the eighteenth year of his reign. Upon discovering the Book of the Law in the temple, Josiah was deeply moved and sought to align the nation with the covenantal laws of God. The Berean Standard Bible records his response: "When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes" (2 Kings 22:11). This act of repentance set the stage for a nationwide reform.

Josiah's reforms included the removal of pagan altars and idols, the destruction of high places, and the reinstitution of the Passover celebration. 2 Kings 23:25 highlights his unparalleled devotion: "Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did—with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses."

The Rediscovery of the Law

The rediscovery of the Book of the Law was a pivotal moment in Josiah's reign. It is believed to have been a portion of the Torah, possibly the book of Deuteronomy. This discovery led to a renewed commitment to the covenant and a purging of idolatry from the land. Josiah's response to the reading of the Law underscores the importance of Scripture in guiding the moral and spiritual direction of a nation.

Legacy and Death

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 efforts to restore true worship had a lasting impact on the people of Judah, even though the subsequent kings failed to maintain his reforms.

Tragically, Josiah's life ended prematurely in battle at Megiddo, where he was killed by Pharaoh Necho II of Egypt (2 Kings 23:29-30). Despite his untimely death, Josiah's legacy as a godly king who sought the Lord with all his heart remains a powerful example of faithful leadership.

Conclusion

Josiah's life and reign serve as a reminder of the importance of seeking God wholeheartedly and the transformative power of returning to His Word. His account is a beacon of hope and a call to righteousness for all generations.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

2 Chronicles 34:3
For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Children's Bible
... <. The Children's Bible Henry A. Sherman. ... THE OLD TESTAMENT. THE STORY OF CREATION.
GOD'S GOOD GIFTS TO MAN. ... THE YOUNG JOSIAH AND THE BOOK OF THE LAW. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/sherman/the childrens bible/

Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
... his days in his kingdom, he, and his children, in the ... applies particularly to the
age in which Josiah succeeded to ... The last good king of Judah before him was ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon vii josiah a pattern.htm

Manasseh and Josiah
... up and flourished"tyranny, oppression, hatred of all that is good. ... At the time Josiah
began to rule, and for many ... God answered the cry of His loyal children. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 32 manasseh and josiah.htm

Josiah and the Newly Found Law
... of the law which often sets the children's teeth on ... Josiah was wise when he did not
turn his thoughts to ... Nor is there any good reason why familiarity with it ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture g/josiah and the newly found.htm

Ahaziah
... a good king who had a wicked father"Josiah, Hezekiah, and ... A good mother has been
at work"woman's gracious ... the moral weight and form of the royal children. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/milligan/men of the bible some lesser-known/ahaziah.htm

The Captivity.
... Josiah, being a tributary of Babylon, thought it his duty ... The mourning of the Jews
over their good king was ... Babylon, among them the four holy children, but he ...
//christianbookshelf.org/yonge/the chosen people/lesson x the captivity.htm

Light through Darkness
... that reformation was wrought in the days of Elijah and of Josiah. ... way, that they
may fear Me forever, for the good of them, and of their children after them ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 38 light through darkness.htm

The Woman of Samaria
... Good king Hezekiah, good king Josiah, could only stave off her ruin for a few years ...
And do not fancy, that because your children have a good education now ...
/.../kingsley/town and country sermons/sermon xxvi the woman of.htm

The Prophet --His Youth and his Call.
... of Israel's God(110) the ancient sacrifice of children, in order ... hath showed thee,
O man, what is good; and what ... The young King Josiah, who to the end was to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/smith/jeremiah/lecture iii the prophethis youth.htm

Reformation Lessons
... They meant, and had good reason to mean, what they ... Josiah was killed in battle"by
his own fault too ... is said mothers ate their own children through extremity ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon xxxii reformation lessons.htm