Josiah Restores True Worship
March 9, 2022
Commentary
Josiah devoted himself to eradicating all forms of idolatry in Judah. He summoned all the elders, priests and prophets and all the people from the least to the greatest to the temple (v, 1). Standing by the pillar in the courtyard he led the people in a rededication of themselves to the Lord (vv. 2-3). Josiah removed everything connected with the worship of false gods that his ancestors had set up (vv. 4-7). He also eradicated the priests who had let the people into these corrupt practices (v. 5).
In addition to the reforms that he led in Judah, Josiah also traveled to Bethel and destroyed the high place that Jeroboam had constructed. In fact he destroyed the pagan places of worship from Geba on Judah’s northern frontier to Beersheba on its southern border. Josiah did more than eliminate idolatry (vv. 8-20). He also re-established the divinely ordained Passover feast. It is stated that there had not been a Passover celebrated in Israel like this since the days of the Judges. The offerings of lambs and goats numbered 30,000 plus 3,000 bulls (2 Chron. 35:7).
All the revival in Josiah’s reign did not dispel the accumulated wrath of God against Judah for her years of rebellion. Neco ruled Egypt and he moved northward to help the Assyrians. Josiah saw this as a threat to his kingdom. Therefore he engaged Neco in a battle at Megiddo. The result was disastrous as Josiah was killed. After this Judah went into rapid declines.
Application
When the Jewish people obeyed God, He went before them (Ex. 13:21) and protected them. When I obey God I can always count on His leading and protection.
Isaiah 52:1– 15 (NET)
1 Wake up! Wake up! Clothe yourself with strength, O Zion! Put on your beautiful clothes, O Jerusalem, holy city. For uncircumcised and unclean pagans will no longer invade you.
2 Shake off the dirt! Get up, captive Jerusalem. Take off the iron chains around your neck, O captive daughter Zion.
3 For this is what the Lord says: “You were sold for nothing, and you will not be redeemed for money.”
4 For this is what the Sovereign Lord says: “In the beginning my people went to live temporarily in Egypt; Assyria oppressed them for no good reason.
5 And now, what do we have here?” says the Lord. “Indeed my people have been carried away for nothing, those who rule over them taunt,” says the Lord, “and my name is constantly slandered all day long.
6 For this reason my people will know my name; for this reason they will know at that time that I am the one who says, ‘Here I am.’”
7 How delightful it is to see approaching over the mountains the feet of a messenger who announces peace, a messenger who brings good news, who announces deliverance, who says to Zion, “Your God reigns!”
8 Listen, your watchmen shout; in unison they shout for joy, for they see with their very own eyes the Lord’s return to Zion.
9 In unison give a joyful shout, O ruins of Jerusalem! For the Lord consoles his people; he protects Jerusalem.
10 The Lord reveals his royal power in the sight of all the nations; the entire earth sees our God deliver.
11 Leave! Leave! Get out of there! Don’t touch anything unclean! Get out of it! Stay pure, you who carry the Lord’s holy items.
12 Yet do not depart quickly or leave in a panic. For the Lord goes before you; the God of Israel is your rear guard.
13 Look, my servant will succeed! He will be elevated, lifted high, and greatly exalted —
14 (just as many were horrified by the sight of you) he was so disfigured he no longer looked like a man; his form was so marred he no longer looked human —
15 so now he will startle many nations. Kings will be shocked by his exaltation, for they will witness something unannounced to them, and they will understand something they had not heard about.
Illustration:
A woman locked the keys inside the car and was now unable to get into her car to drive home. She didn’t know what to do. So she bowed her head and asked God to send her some help. Within five minutes a motorcycle roared up. A rough, dirty-looking biker got off and saw her situation. He asked if he could help her. The woman told him yes, as she needed to hurry and get home to her sick daughter. In less than one minute the car was opened. She hugged the man and through her tears she said, “Thank you so much! You are such a nice man.” The man replied; “No, I’m not, Lady. I just got out of prison for car theft.” The woman hugged the man again and with sobbing tears cried out to God, “You even sent me a professional.” (Source Unknown, Lou Nicholes – Missionary/Author)