Topical Encyclopedia
Josiah, the sixteenth king of Judah, is renowned for his fervent zeal against idolatry, which marked a significant period of religious reform in the history of Israel. His reign, which began when he was only eight years old, is chronicled in the books of 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. Josiah's commitment to eradicating idolatry and restoring the worship of Yahweh is a testament to his dedication to the covenantal laws given to Israel.
Background and Early ReformsJosiah ascended to the throne at a time when Judah was steeped in idolatrous practices, a legacy left by his predecessors, particularly Manasseh and Amon. The religious landscape was marred by the worship of Baal, Asherah, and other pagan deities, which had been integrated into the very fabric of Judah's society and religious practices.
In the eighteenth year of his reign, Josiah initiated a comprehensive reform after the Book of the Law was discovered in the Temple by Hilkiah the high priest (
2 Kings 22:8-11). This discovery profoundly impacted Josiah, prompting him to seek the Lord and renew the covenant with God. The king's response was one of deep repentance and a resolute commitment to align the nation with the divine statutes.
Destruction of Idolatrous PracticesJosiah's zeal against idolatry is vividly illustrated in his actions to cleanse the land of Judah and even parts of the former northern kingdom of Israel. He ordered the removal and destruction of all objects associated with idol worship. The high places, where unauthorized worship occurred, were dismantled. The altars of Baal were torn down, and the Asherah poles were cut to pieces (
2 Kings 23:4-7).
Josiah also defiled Topheth in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, where child sacrifices to Molech had been offered, thereby putting an end to this abominable practice (
2 Kings 23:10). He removed the horses dedicated to the sun and burned the chariots of the sun with fire (
2 Kings 23:11). The altars on the roof of the upper chamber of Ahaz and the altars Manasseh had made in the two courts of the house of the Lord were also destroyed (
2 Kings 23:12).
Restoration of True WorshipIn addition to purging the land of idolatry, Josiah took significant steps to restore the worship of Yahweh. He reinstituted the Passover, which had not been observed with such dedication since the days of the judges (
2 Kings 23:21-23). This celebration was marked by a return to the prescribed rituals and a renewed focus on the covenant relationship between God and His people.
Josiah's reforms extended beyond Judah to the territories of the former northern kingdom, where he demolished the altar at Bethel, a significant site of idolatrous worship established by Jeroboam (
2 Kings 23:15). His actions fulfilled the prophecy spoken by the man of God during Jeroboam's reign (
1 Kings 13:2).
LegacyJosiah's zeal against idolatry and his efforts to restore the worship of Yahweh left an indelible mark on the history of Judah. His reign is characterized by a sincere attempt to lead the nation back to the covenantal faithfulness required by the Law. The Scriptures commend Josiah for his unparalleled devotion: "Neither before him nor after him was there a king like Josiah who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, according to all the Law of Moses" (
2 Kings 23:25).
Josiah's reforms, however, were not enough to avert the impending judgment on Judah due to the accumulated sins of previous generations. Nevertheless, his reign stands as a powerful example of righteous leadership and the importance of zealously opposing idolatry in the pursuit of true worship.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
2 Kings 23:5And he put down the idolatrous priests, whom the kings of Judah had ordained to burn incense in the high places in the cities of Judah, and in the places round about Jerusalem; them also that burned incense to Baal, to the sun, and to the moon, and to the planets, and to all the host of heaven.
Torrey's Topical Textbook
Library
Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
... Josiah's conduct on this discovery marks his character ... Even after years of activity
against idolatry, in the ... of temper, in the midst of zeal, resoluteness, and ...
/.../newman/parochial and plain sermons vol viii/sermon vii josiah a pattern.htm
The Book of the Law
... these things that thou hast done against the altar ... But the zeal of Josiah, acceptable
though it was to ... many who stubbornly refused to turn from idolatry to the ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 33 the book of.htm
Place of Jesus in the History of the World.
... did but augment their repulsion to idolatry. ... Furious believers unceasingly instigated
violence against all who ... This zeal, unknown to the coarser simplicity of ...
//christianbookshelf.org/renan/the life of jesus/chapter i place of jesus.htm
The Twelve Minor Prophets.
... destruction of all the patrons of idolatry and the ... of Jerusalem for her incorrigible
rebellion against God (verses 1 ... of unbelief, had lost their zeal for God's ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxiii the twelve minor.htm
From Malachi to the Birth of Christ.
... in an attempt to force them into idolatry and about ... are seen at work either for or
against the progress ... were many synagogues which led to a zeal to proselyte ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xvii from malachi to.htm
Obadiah; Or, Early Piety Eminent Piety
... we wish to use it for stimulating the zeal of those ... like Paul, who is full of
threatenings against the saints ... he felt that without yielding to idolatry he could ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 30 1884/obadiah or early piety eminent.htm
Blessed are they that Mourn
... They mourned for their idolatry. ... Jehu says Come, see my zeal for the Lord', but it
was zeal for the throne (2 Kings 10 ... This sin is a flying roll against England ...
/.../the beatitudes an exposition of matthew 51-12/6 blessed are they that.htm
The Prophet Hosea.
... remained the prevailing one; but, inwardly, idolatry obtained almost ... Israel attempted
to secure himself against Asshur, by ... ie, the Lord is help.) Zeal for the ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the prophet hosea.htm
The Assumption of Moses
... The, proneness of the Jews to idolatry, the likelihood ... Jude, as also against the
Assumption of Moses, on ... coupled with an energetic and fanatical zeal for the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/the assumption of moses.htm
Of Civil Government.
... consulted for the human race, that pious zeal may the ... its only object, but it is,
that no idolatry, no blasphemy ... the name of God, no calumnies against his truth ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 20 of civil government.htm
Resources
Why is idol worship such a powerful temptation? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the true meaning of the second commandment? | GotQuestions.orgWho was John Knox? | GotQuestions.orgIdolatry: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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