Idolatry: Zeal Against: Josiah
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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 Reforms

Josiah 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 Practices

Josiah'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 Worship

In 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).

Legacy

Josiah'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 23:5
And 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.org

What is the true meaning of the second commandment? | GotQuestions.org

Who was John Knox? | GotQuestions.org

Idolatry: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Idolatry

Idolatry Idol

Idolatry is a Work of the Flesh

Idolatry is Changing the Glory of God Into an Image

Idolatry is Changing the Truth of God Into a Lie

Idolatry: A Virtual Forsaking of God

Idolatry: Abominable

Idolatry: Accompanied by Feasts

Idolatry: Adopted by Solomon

Idolatry: Adopted by the Wicked Kings

Idolatry: Ahab

Idolatry: Ahaz

Idolatry: All Forms of, Forbidden by the Law of Moses

Idolatry: All Heathen Nations Given up To

Idolatry: Altars Raised For

Idolatry: Amon

Idolatry: An Abomination to God

Idolatry: Angels Refuse to Receive the Worship of

Idolatry: Annual Feasts

Idolatry: Athenians

Idolatry: Belshazzar

Idolatry: Bloody

Idolatry: Captivity of Israel on Account of

Idolatry: Captivity of Judah on Account of

Idolatry: Consists in Bowing Down to Images

Idolatry: Consists in Covetousness

Idolatry: Consists in Fearing Other Gods

Idolatry: Consists in Looking to Other Gods

Idolatry: Consists in Sacrificing to Images

Idolatry: Consists in Sacrificing to Other Gods

Idolatry: Consists in Sensuality

Idolatry: Consists in Serving Other Gods

Idolatry: Consists in Setting up Idols in the Heart

Idolatry: Consists in Speaking in the Name of Other Gods

Idolatry: Consists in Swearing by Other Gods

Idolatry: Consists in Walking After Other Gods

Idolatry: Consists in Worshipping Angels

Idolatry: Consists in Worshipping Dead Men

Idolatry: Consists in Worshipping Demons

Idolatry: Consists in Worshipping Images

Idolatry: Consists in Worshipping Other Gods

Idolatry: Consists in Worshipping the Host of Heaven

Idolatry: Consists in Worshipping the True God by an Image

Idolatry: Curse Denounced Against

Idolatry: Defiling

Idolatry: Denunciations Against

Idolatry: Destruction of, Promised

Idolatry: Divination Connected With

Idolatry: Early Notice of, Amongst God's Professing People

Idolatry: Ephesians

Idolatry: Everything Connected With, should be Destroyed

Idolatry: Example of the Kings Encouraged Israel In

Idolatry: Exhortations to Turn From

Idolatry: Folly of

Idolatry: Forbidden

Idolatry: Great Prevalence of, in Israel

Idolatry: Hateful to God

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Adrammelech

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Anammelech

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Ashima

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Ashtoreth

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Baal

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Baal-Berith

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Baal-Peor

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Baalzebub

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Baal-Zephon

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Bel

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Chemosh

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Chiun

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Dagon

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Diana

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Huzzab

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Jupiter

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Mercury

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Merodach

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Molech or Milcom

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Nebo

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Nergal

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Nibhaz and Tartak

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Nisroch

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Queen of Heaven

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Remphan

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Rimmon

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Succothbenoth

Idolatry: Idols Mentioned in Scripture: Tammuz

Idolatry: Incompatible With the Service of God

Idolatry: Irrational

Idolatry: Israel

Idolatry: Jeroboam

Idolatry: Jezebel

Idolatry: Judah

Idolatry: Led the Heathen to Consider Their Gods to Have But a Local

Idolatry: Led the Heathen to Think That Their Gods Visited the Earth In

Idolatry: Led to Abominable Sins

Idolatry: Maachah

Idolatry: Making Idols for the Purpose of, Described and Ridiculed

Idolatry: Manasseh

Idolatry: Micah

Idolatry: Nebuchadnezzar

Idolatry: Objects of Angels

Idolatry: Objects of Animals

Idolatry: Objects of Brazen Serpent

Idolatry: Objects of Departed Spirits

Idolatry: Objects of Described as Abominations

Idolatry: Objects of Described as Dumb Idols

Idolatry: Objects of Described as Dumb Stones

Idolatry: Objects of Described as Gods That Cannot Save

Idolatry: Objects of Described as Gods That Have not Made the Heavens

Idolatry: Objects of Described as Graven Images

Idolatry: Objects of Described as Helpless

Idolatry: Objects of Described as Idols of Abomination

Idolatry: Objects of Described as Images of Abomination

Idolatry: Objects of Described as Molten Gods

Idolatry: Objects of Described as Molten Images

Idolatry: Objects of Described as New Gods

Idolatry: Objects of Described as No Gods

Idolatry: Objects of Described as Nothing

Idolatry: Objects of Described as Other Gods

Idolatry: Objects of Described as Senseless Idols

Idolatry: Objects of Described as Stocks

Idolatry: Objects of Described as Strange Gods

Idolatry: Objects of Described as Stumbling Blocks

Idolatry: Objects of Described as Teachers of Lies

Idolatry: Objects of Described as Vanities of the Gentiles

Idolatry: Objects of Described as Vanity

Idolatry: Objects of Described as Wind and Confusion

Idolatry: Objects of Earrings

Idolatry: Objects of Earthly Creatures

Idolatry: Objects of Gods of Egypt

Idolatry: Objects of Golden Calf

Idolatry: Objects of Images

Idolatry: Objects of Images of Angels

Idolatry: Objects of Net and Drag

Idolatry: Objects of Pictures

Idolatry: Objects of Pictures on Walls

Idolatry: Objects of Sun, Moon, and Stars

Idolatry: Objects of The Heavenly Bodies

Idolatry: Objects of, Carried in Procession

Idolatry: Objects of, Numerous

Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped by Bowing to Them

Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped by Burning Children

Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped by Cutting the Flesh

Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped by Kissing the Hand to Them

Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped by Kissing Them

Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped in Groves

Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped in Private Houses

Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped in Secret Places

Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped in Temples

Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped with Incense

Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped with Libations

Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped with Prayer

Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped with Sacrifices

Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped with Singing and Dancing

Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped: On High Places

Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped: On the Tops of Houses

Idolatry: Objects of, Worshipped: Under Trees

Idolatry: Obstinate Sinners Judicially Given up To

Idolatry: Other Customs of Bowing

Idolatry: Other Customs of Cutting the Flesh

Idolatry: Other Customs of Incense Burned on Altars

Idolatry: Other Customs of Kissing

Idolatry: Other Customs of Libations

Idolatry: Other Customs of Libations of Blood

Idolatry: Other Customs of Libations of Wine

Idolatry: Other Customs of Meat offerings

Idolatry: Other Customs of Music

Idolatry: Other Customs of Offered Burnt offerings

Idolatry: Other Customs of Peace offerings

Idolatry: Other Customs of Praise

Idolatry: Other Customs of Prayers to Idols

Idolatry: Other Customs of Singing and Dancing

Idolatry: Other Customs of Tithes and Gifts

Idolatry: People of Lystra

Idolatry: Philistines

Idolatry: Prophecies Relating To

Idolatry: Punishment of Banishment

Idolatry: Punishment of Dreadful Judgments Which End in Death

Idolatry: Punishment of Eternal Torments

Idolatry: Punishment of Exclusion from Heaven

Idolatry: Punishment of Judicial Death

Idolatry: Renounced on Conversion

Idolatry: Rites of, Obscene and Impure

Idolatry: Saints Preserved by God From

Idolatry: Saints Refuse to Receive the Worship of

Idolatry: Saints should Flee From

Idolatry: Saints should Keep From

Idolatry: Saints should not Covenant With Those Who Practise

Idolatry: Saints should not Have Anything Connected With in Their Houses

Idolatry: Saints should not Have Religious Intercourse With Those Who Practise

Idolatry: Saints should not Intermarry With Those Who Practise

Idolatry: Saints should not Partake of Any Thing Connected With

Idolatry: Saints should Refuse to Engage In, Though Threatened With Death

Idolatry: Saints should Testify Against

Idolatry: Sennacherib

Idolatry: Temples Built For

Idolatry: The Good Kings of Judah Endeavoured to Destroy

Idolatry: The Jews: Brought, out of Egypt With Them

Idolatry: The Jews: Followed the Assyrians In

Idolatry: The Jews: Followed the Canaanites In

Idolatry: The Jews: Followed the Moabites In

Idolatry: The Jews: Followed the Syrians In

Idolatry: The Jews: Forbidden to Practise

Idolatry: The Jews: Often Mixed Up, With God's Worship

Idolatry: The Jews: Practised, in Egypt

Idolatry: They Who Practise are Estranged from God

Idolatry: They Who Practise are Ignorant and Foolish

Idolatry: They Who Practise are Mad Upon It

Idolatry: They Who Practise are Vain in Their Imaginations

Idolatry: They Who Practise: Ask Counsel of Their Idols

Idolatry: They Who Practise: Boast of It

Idolatry: They Who Practise: Carried Away by It

Idolatry: They Who Practise: Defile the Sanctuary of God

Idolatry: They Who Practise: Forget God

Idolatry: They Who Practise: Forsake God

Idolatry: They Who Practise: Go After It in Heart

Idolatry: They Who Practise: Go Astray from God

Idolatry: They Who Practise: Hate God

Idolatry: They Who Practise: Have Fellowship With Devils

Idolatry: They Who Practise: Hold Fast Their Deceit

Idolatry: They Who Practise: Inflame Themselves

Idolatry: They Who Practise: Look to Idols for Deliverance

Idolatry: They Who Practise: Pollute the Name of God

Idolatry: They Who Practise: Provoke God

Idolatry: They Who Practise: Swear by Their Idols

Idolatry: Unprofitable

Idolatry: Vain and Foolish

Idolatry: Victims Sacrificed In, often Adorned With Garlands

Idolatry: Warnings Against

Idolatry: Warnings Against, and Punishments of

Idolatry: Wicked Practices of Human Sacrifices

Idolatry: Wicked Practices of Licentiousness of

Idolatry: Wicked Practices of Practices of, Relating to the Dead

Idolatry: Woe Denounced Against

Idolatry: Zeal Against: Asa

Idolatry: Zeal Against: Israel

Idolatry: Zeal Against: Jehoshaphat

Idolatry: Zeal Against: Josiah

Idolatry: Zeal Against: Manasseh

Related Terms

Idolatrous (4 Occurrences)

Jeremy (2 Occurrences)

Moon (70 Occurrences)

Apocalyptic

Jehoahaz (22 Occurrences)

Jehoram (27 Occurrences)

Gods (310 Occurrences)

Babylon (270 Occurrences)

Malachi (2 Occurrences)

Jezebel (20 Occurrences)

Jehoshaphat (79 Occurrences)

Worship (332 Occurrences)

Whoredom (58 Occurrences)

Idol (56 Occurrences)

Teraphim (14 Occurrences)

Enchantment (4 Occurrences)

Purge (35 Occurrences)

Apostate (5 Occurrences)

Ahaz (42 Occurrences)

Apostasy (6 Occurrences)

Sun (1708 Occurrences)

Fornication (52 Occurrences)

Covetousness (22 Occurrences)

Astrology

Shechem (61 Occurrences)

Josiah (51 Occurrences)

Defilement (12 Occurrences)

Defile (63 Occurrences)

Manasseh (140 Occurrences)

Joram (26 Occurrences)

Crimes (22 Occurrences)

Woman (4043 Occurrences)

Deuteronomy (1 Occurrence)

Crime (45 Occurrences)

Idolatries (3 Occurrences)

Zephaniah (11 Occurrences)

Heaven (653 Occurrences)

Images (158 Occurrences)

Wrath (503 Occurrences)

Judges (117 Occurrences)

Place (9195 Occurrences)

Gideon (45 Occurrences)

Anger (387 Occurrences)

Proselyte (2 Occurrences)

Wisdom (320 Occurrences)

Witchcraft (8 Occurrences)

Solomon (277 Occurrences)

Vile (59 Occurrences)

Unbridled (4 Occurrences)

Unholy (23 Occurrences)

Outbursts (5 Occurrences)

On (40792 Occurrences)

Ophrah (9 Occurrences)

Jealousies (2 Occurrences)

Jehoash (28 Occurrences)

Jehoiakim (37 Occurrences)

Greed (19 Occurrences)

Wholly (67 Occurrences)

Wise (422 Occurrences)

Wraths (1 Occurrence)

Image (126 Occurrences)

Impurity (42 Occurrences)

Instructions (47 Occurrences)

Inclinations (3 Occurrences)

Idol-house (1 Occurrence)

Immorality (38 Occurrences)

Innocent (97 Occurrences)

Innocence (10 Occurrences)

Insubordination (1 Occurrence)

Idolize (1 Occurrence)

Innocency (5 Occurrences)

Inordinate (2 Occurrences)

Flee (187 Occurrences)

Fits (2 Occurrences)

Timnath-heres (1 Occurrence)

Tiberias (3 Occurrences)

Teat

Tyre (59 Occurrences)

Idolatry: Zeal Against: Jehoshaphat
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