Read: 2
Kings 23:1-30
2 Kings 23 continues the triumphal history of
Josiah’s reign. He begins by reading the Book of the Law publically. He
proceeds to renew the covenant between God and Judah. Judah will serve Yahweh
alone. After the ceremony is complete, Josiah begins a thorough cleansing of
his kingdom. He travels to each corner of the nation, destroying altars and
tearing down high places. He kills priests of false gods and burns the
implements of their worship. Josiah even tears down the altar built by Jeroboam,
which led Israel into sin (15). Overlooking this altar is the very sin Josiah’s
predecessors were rebuked for. Once this cleansing is complete, Josiah returns
to Jerusalem. There he reinstates the Passover. The Passover had not been
celebrated to the Lord since the time of the judges – not even under the reign
of godly kings like Hezekiah.
Scripture’s memory of Josiah is clear. “Never
before nor after Josiah was here 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” (v 25).
Prayer and
Journaling
1. Josiah’s ministry begins with the public reading
of Scripture. Reading God’s Words corporately is powerful. Ask God if there is
anywhere He would like you to intentionally read His Word together with other
people.
2. Meditate on the Bible’s summary statement of
Josiah’s reign (2 Kings 23:25). Ask God to make you like Josiah – that you
would turn to Him with all your heart, soul and strength.
3. Our nation needs men and women like Josiah.
People so dedicated to God that they will do whatever it takes to lead our
country back to Him. Pray that God would raise up warriors for His kingdom.
Pray that these workers would be deeply moved by the things that move God’s
heart.
