Josiah, “Because…You Humbled Yourself”
By Robin Owen
When Josiah came on the scene, the Northern Kingdom (Israel) had been carried into Assyrian captivity because of their wickedness, and the wrath of the Lord was about to be poured out on Judah for the same reason. Josiah’s grandfather, Manasseh, was quite possibly the worst, most ungodly king to reign in Judah. He erected altars to Baal, made an Asherah, built altars to the host of heaven, took idol worship into the house of the Lord, sanctioned human sacrifice to the gods, and the list goes on. Josiah’s father, Amon, followed in the footsteps of his father Manasseh and did evil in the sight of the Lord.
Josiah’s heritage was one of wickedness and ungodliness, and yet, this young man rose above his heritage and truly reformed the nation and brought them back to the Lord. Some may argue that Josiah was the best king to reign in Judah.
Josiah (“Jehovah Helps”) was the sixteenth king of Judah and was eight years old when he took the throne. When Josiah became king “He did right in the sight of the Lord and walked in all the way of his father David, he did not turn to the right or the left” (2 Kings 22:2).
Second Chronicles 34 tells us, at age 16, in the eighth year of his reign, he began to seek the God of his father David. Josiah chose God. He chose to do what was right in the sight of God. He chose to go against family, and against the whole of Judah, and chose to cast off the cultural influences of his time in order to make a positive change in Judah.
At age 20, in the twelfth year of his reign, he began to cleanse Judah, Jerusalem, and even parts of the old Northern Kingdom of the high places, carved images, and altars to Baal. Josiah cleansed the land with great strength and resolve, and when he was done, there were no remnants of idolatry left.
At age 26, in the eighteenth year of his reign, Josiah began to cleanse the temple of all the vessels that were used in worship to Baal, Asherah, and the host of heaven, and then, he began to repair the temple. It was during the work on the temple that Hilkiah the priest found the book of the law, probably the book of Deuteronomy. Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan the scribe, and he read it in the presence of the king. This is the first time Josiah hears the words from the book, and it results in him tearing his clothes (II Kings 22:11). The tearing of his clothes was an outward expression of deep sorrow and contrition. It was at this point that Josiah realized just how sinful and wicked Judah had become and paled at the great wrath God intended to pour out on them. Because Josiah was ashamed of the sin of his people and feared the wrath of God, Josiah inquired of the Lord on behalf of himself, the people, and all of Judah.
Through the prophetess Huldah, the king learned that there was no turning back the divine judgment of God. But in II Kings 22:19, the Lord’s message to Josiah was “Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I truly have heard you.” Because of Josiah’s humble heart, the Lord showed mercy to him and delayed His judgment on Judah until after his death.
Josiah read the book of the covenant to all the people and led the people in a covenant renewal. Josiah also reinstituted the Passover which had not been celebrated since the days of Samuel, not in all the days of the kings of Israel or Judah.
The account of Josiah ends with the statement that “Before him there was no king like him who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the laws of Moses, nor did any like him after him” (II Kings 23:25). This hearkens back to Deuteronomy 6:4-6 where God’s people were called upon to love the Lord with all their heart, soul, and might and to put His commandments on their heart. Jesus reiterated this command in Mark 12:29 identifying it as “the greatest command.”
This young king is a great example, to young and old, of what a heart that is completely devoted to God can accomplish. We need to follow his example by choosing God, cleansing the temple, and reading the Book.
As God’s people, we need to choose God and choose to do what is right in His sight. This may mean that we have to go against our family and friends and cast off the cultural influences of our time. While we do not wield the influence of a king, our choice to seek and serve God with all our heart can have a positive impact on our family, friends, and those in our community.
As God’s people, we need to cleanse the temple - clean house. In II Corinthians 6:16, we are called “the temple of the living God.” While we may not worship carved images, there are many things that pervade our lives that need to be removed. In Colossians 3:5-9, Paul tells us to remove immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, greed (which is idolatry), anger, wrath, malice, slander, abusive speech and lying from our hearts. They can have no place in the temple of God. Once we have cleansed the temple, we need to repair the temple by putting on hearts of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, forgiveness and love (Colossians 3:12-14).
As God’s people, we need to read the Book, read the Book, and read the Book more. I do not believe that can be overemphasized. God’s word cannot dwell in our heart if we do not spend time in it. It is only by reading the Book that we will recognize the kindness and severity of God (Romans 11:22) as Josiah did. It is only by reading the Book that we will draw near to God and humble ourselves in his presence (James 4:8-10) as Josiah did. And it is only by reading the Book that we will be motivated to share it with others (Mark 16:15) as Josiah did.