This is a wonderful picture of true repentance. Josiah is a great role model for us.
Read 2 Kings 22-23 and 2 Chronicles 34-35
I am filled with hope after reading these passages. Josiah’s parents weren’t godly, but somehow he turned out to be a powerful advocate for God. After reading both passages I am not quite sure of the sequence of events. Did Josiah read the scroll first and then begin tearing down the altars and idols? Or was he already tearing them down when they found the scroll?
If he was tearing them down before he found the scroll, then the scroll is God’s revelation of Himself to Josiah, a blessing that allowed Josiah to know Him better, and probably prevented the destruction of the whole community. If Josiah found the scroll first, and because of the revelation began to tear down the idols and altars, then it is a sign of God’s prevenient grace (grace that comes before salvation). In the second case, Josiah would learn about God, and then express his repentance by removing the things from his life that offend God.
In either case, this part of the passage points clearly to the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives. When we accept Christ as our Savior we surrender control to Him. That means Jesus is now in charge of what is acceptable behavior, and we begin cutting contact with anything offensive and developing new habits. This process continues throughout our Christian life. It begins with salvation, but as we read and study and listen to sermons and attend seminars God continues to speak, and we continue to make adjustments based on what we hear.
That’s what was happening in Josiah’s life, repentance and continued growth.
As we arrive at the description of the Passover two things stand out to me: 1. the fact that no one had ever celebrated like this before….which probably was influenced by Josiah’s devotion to remove those offensive altars and idols. 2. Just how bad the situation had become. There were literally idols and shrine prostitutes set up INSIDE the temple, which is a sure fire way to bring the whole wrath of God down on top of you. Before I say “how could you let things get this bad?” I remind myself that the descent into evil immoral and dysfunctional behavior is gradual, not rapid. Every year we become a little more acclimatized to the sins we have already allowed…and then we permit a few more.
The kingdom has slipped into a terrible state of immorality. People have been sacrificed to false gods, inappropriate sexual activity is taking place within the temple itself. Idols are set up to false gods inside the temple, and on the roof of the kings house. There are statues and furniture dedicated to false gods all over the temple grounds.
Even in this advanced state of failure, God is willing to forgive and delay punishment. Had the nation remained repentant and humble I think they could have avoided it forever…but when Josiah died, they went right back to their evil habits. That tells me they weren’t as repentant as Josiah was..they were just being “politically correct”. What a shame that his children didn’t follow his godly example.
In one last reflection, Josiah’s tendency to react quickly and with passion served him well in removing the idols from the country, but when it came to politics and battle, those same tendencies got him killed. And because he died, the whole nation suffered. The lesson that I take from this section is that the same type of leadership isn’t required in every situation. The good leader must adapt with the scenario and employ different kinds of leadership skills and abilities.
Faithfully,
PR