Josiah’s Reformation
October 8, 2022
Commentary
Josiah was a lad of only eight when his father Amon died and he was crowned king to rule over Judah for 3l years (v. 1). He shares with Hezekiah and Asa the distinction of being one of Judah’s greatest kings (v. 2). The first seventeen years of his reign are left without comment in the book of Kings. However 2 Chronicles 34 and 35 record how in the eighth year of his reign Josiah began to “seek” the God of his father David.”
In the eighteenth year of Josiah’s reign, at age 26, he began to repair the temple which had greatly deteriorated during the evil reigns of Ahaz, Manasseh and Hezekiah (vv. 3-7). In the process of renovation a copy of the Book of the Law was found and it was read to the king (vv.8-10). Evidently other copies had been destroyed and so this was a very important find.
When Josiah heard the Law read, he tore his robes and was horrified at the people’s neglect of the divine commandments and because of it the impending judgement that was to come (vv. 11-20). This points up to the fact that Judah had not consulted the Law for a long time. After consulting the Lord she sent a message to the king that God would surely send disaster on Jerusalem and the people of Judah. However because Josiah’s heart was tender (v. 19) he would be spared this judgement.
Application
I will never be able to straighten out the wickedness of this world. Only God can do that and He is in charge. My only concern is to be faithful to Him in all I do and all I say.
Isaiah 3:1– 12 (NET)
1 Look, the Sovereign Lord of Heaven’s Armies is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah every source of security, including all the food and water,
2 the mighty men and warriors, judges and prophets, omen readers and leaders,
3 captains of groups of fifty, the respected citizens, advisers and those skilled in magical arts, and those who know incantations.
4 The Lord says, “I will make youths their officials; malicious young men will rule over them.
5 The people will treat each other harshly; men will oppose each other; neighbors will fight. Youths will proudly defy the elderly and riffraff will challenge those who were once respected.
6 Indeed, a man will grab his brother right in his father’s house and say, ‘You own a coat— you be our leader! This heap of ruins will be under your control.’
7 At that time the brother will shout, ‘I am no doctor, I have no food or coat in my house; don’t make me a leader of the people!’”
8 Jerusalem certainly stumbles, Judah falls, for their words and their actions offend the Lord; they rebel against his royal authority.
9 The look on their faces testifies to their guilt; like the people of Sodom they openly boast of their sin. Woe to them! For they bring disaster on themselves.
10 Tell the innocent it will go well with them, for they will be rewarded for what they have done.
11 Woe to the wicked sinners! For they will get exactly what they deserve.
12 Oppressors treat my people cruelly; creditors rule over them. My people, your leaders mislead you; they give you confusing directions.