Tuesday: Josiah on the Throne
Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. And his mother’s name was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath. And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left
(2 Kings 22:1-2).
Considering the context of Josiah coming to the throne, what is so remarkable about these texts?
The Bible doesn’t give us any explanation for this remarkable young man who, considering the circumstances, was most likely destined to be as corrupt and wicked as his father before him. That, however, wasn’t the case.
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For whatever reasons, he chose a different course, and that was to have a positive, though ultimately limited, impact on the nation.
Second Kings 22:1-20 mentions what Josiah did in regard to the temple. From the dedication of the temple by Solomon, long centuries had passed until Josiah’s reforms (622 b.c.). The kings had not really taken care of the temple. Time had eroded the building, which had once been beautiful. The young king saw that the temple was no longer suitable for worship due to long years of neglect.
What did Josiah do when he discovered the temple was in such disrepair? 2 Kings 22:3-7.
Today we would say that the king sent his minister of finance to the high priest and asked him to plan and oversee the materials and labor required to renovate the temple. They did not have to account for the money with which they were entrusted because they were acting faithfully. For whatever reasons, Josiah showed trust in them, and as far as the record shows, that trust was honored.
Refurbishing the temple is fine, but in the end, what really is crucial for a true revival and reformation? (See Phil. 2:3-8.)
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It is almost a natural reaction to "fix and repair the temple" when your heart is so close to the Lord. Our place of worship to Him will be very important when our passion for the Lord is so great in our lives.
Luke records of Jesus, “And the child grew, and became strong in spirit, filled with wisdom: and the grace of God was upon him.” (Luke 2:40) With little change the statement might also apply to young Josiah, because from a child He walked the straight and narrow way (2 Kings 22:2; Matthew 7:13-14).
Rejecting the evil example of his father and avoiding the wayward direction of the masses Josiah presents a model for youngsters today who are led to believe they have to follow the crowd and honor the coarse features of the prevailing culture. Josiah did not find contemporary reference for his own conduct; for there seemed to be little good which he might pattern. Rather he found an example in his ancestor, David, and therefore did right.
A common refrain of this generation is, “Let the kids alone to do what their peers and others are doing. They are living in a different time and they have their culture.” Some dare to add, “After all we did bad too,” as if this provides justification. Thankfully Jesus, the often ignored model, did not follow these lines (Luke 2:52), and others like King Josiah broke the trend.
Such a breath of fresh air it might be if Christian parents instead of consenting to the norm, believed and encouraged young ones to stand apart and honor God, even though it may cost some friends and some events. The youth may grow up respecting the things of the Lord, including reverencing the temple of God (2 Kings 22:3-7), both the building of His presence and their own bodies (1 Corinthians 3:16).
Such sons and daughters may just be those the Lord is waiting for to pour out His Spirit (Joel 2:28). Maybe they are on the way. Maybe it won’t be long now. Maybe it is almost time for the Lord to come!
Josiah was faithful to God despite having a corrupt and sinful father! At times we tend to blame our forefathers for the wrong choices we make for ourselves, but Josiah, at only 8 years of age, chose not to depart from the Lord, neither to the left nor to the right.
Josiah was grandson to King Manasseh and son of King Amon (2 Kings 21-22). Manasseh began his reign opposed to the Lord's guidance and was primarily guilty of going back to idol worship, allowing abominations like unto Judah's neighboring countries. He later repented and his last days were good for his kingship and the country. Amon followed with a return to Manasseh's early evils, but was slain by his own household servants. At age eight, Josiah was crowned king and sought to follow the best of King David's virtues in consistently serving God and His laws.
I have always been wondering on how this King was anointed at this tender age. was the selection based on lineage or what?
Self exaltation was and it will always be Satan must efficient tool. It's a daily battle we need to fight to bring self exaltation and pride to the feet of Jesus are Lord and Savior the only one worthy of praise and glory forever and ever. Amen!
I think Josiah must of had a mother that taught him the principals of God and evidently the scriptures concerning King David right from the very beginning. She would have also been teaching these principals by living them. How sad to see today that our children are brought up by their mothers who neglect teaching them about God and His love and law. The world is suffering from societies of godless people because of it.
i have a question If Josiah was the son Amon (2 Chron 33:35) How is he the son of David in (2 Kings 22: 1-2).
It is figurative. Many claim to be sons of David just like many claim to be sons of Abraham.
"For in the eighth year of [Josiah's] reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images."(2Chron 34:3)
Josiah began to reign when he was 8 years old. So to me, it appears that in Josiah's case, it was not until he was 16 that he actually "began to seek after" God.
And according to the same verse, it was about 4 years later that he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem, opening the work of national reform. I think we are mistaken if we see Josiah, as an 8 year old boy, initiating religious reforms... it looks like he was 20 years old when he actively began this work. Am I mistaken on this point?
Stewart, the Bible is clear on the age of Josiah as he began to seek after God, but what were the early influences? This we are not told, but there had to be something to bring him to this intent while in the environment of Jerusalem at that time.
A couple of other potential factors may have been,
1. That Josiah's father was 24 when he was killed, and he left behind an 8 year old child. This means that Amon was only 16 when Josiah was born to him; suggestive that he was a teenager cultivating a life of debauchery.
2. Josiah's father was killed in his own house -- his home, and his family's home -- Josiah's home. The young boy, if he did not actually see or hear the event, would likely have seen the aftermath. This, I expect, would have been a traumatic episode.
At times, when families reach such dark, low, points, God brings about wonderful (and sometimes to human eyes, unaccountable,) transformations.
Although if I remember rightly, the repentant Mannesseh (Josiah's grandfather) was alive during the first 4-5 years of Josiah's life. His influence may have been significant.
We know nothing about the Josiah's mother, but as often is the case, it is a Godly mother who will bring the best advantage in training a child in the way he should go. I also agree about Manasseh's repentance and it's timing, which had some effect on Josiah's first 6 years. Clearly, the Spirit of God was close to Josiah(as with all who do not reject it's presence) through the influences that he found himself under. God was preserving a faithful remnant as always throughout Israel's continual apostasies.
Stewart, while I was studying this quarter's lesson 3, I rediscovered something I had found interesting but had forgotten that might be of interest to you. In 1 Kg 13:1-2 an unnamed "man of God" prophesies during the reign of the northern kingdom's (Israel) first king, Jeroboam. The prophet declared that "a child, Josiah by name, shall be born to the house of David" and that he would be a reformer in both kingdoms. The prophecy was fulfilled exactly in 2 Chr 34 (which parallels 2 Kings 22-23). I believe the prophecy and the unfolding of its fulfillment allows us insight into God's powerful, miraculous and kind involvement in human affairs for our own benefit.
Miracle #1: The unnamed prophet declares the birth, name and work of Josiah about 290 years ahead of the fulfillment! (Isaiah 46:9-10) The SDA Bible Commentary has a list of the kings of Judah and Israel to help with the establishment of that approximate time line.
Miracle #2: How does such a good boy come from such a corrupt ancestry? The testimony of Scripture is that the Almighty can, and does, intervene in human affairs for our own good. Josiah, like Jeremiah (Jer 1:5), John (Lk 1:15), Paul (Gal 1:15) and Jesus (Lk 2:21; Isaiah 9:6-7) are a few of the human lives that Scripture uses to pull back the curtain of our understanding to some of the steps God takes to break the fall of humanity. 2 Chr 34:3 casually records that "HE BEGAN to seek the God of his father David" and that "Hilkiah the priest FOUND the Book of the Law of the Lord given by Moses"(2 Chr 34:14). However, given the backdrop of 1 Kg 13:2, were these random occurrences or the providential accomplishments of an all wise Creator? (Gal 4:4; 1:15-16) Like "manna" from the sky and "water" from a rock, they are intended to remind us that humanity not been abandoned by God.
I am impressed by those who can mingle with men as one who cares for their good with the single purpose of winning their confidences. Separating ourselves from the culture we live in and excluding from our company those who do not conform to our ideas of what constitutes a moral person is not the method Jesus used. It was because he loved the people that he gave his life for them. Saving our own soul is hardly what he came to do was it! He died the 2nd death for you, what will you do for him?
Who was Josiah's teacher(s)? This cannot happen of itself in such an environment. We find the answer in scripture for how this manner of response to the Lord can happen in passages such as Prov 3:1-8. Also, when there are no faithful shepherds, "God Himself"(Ellen wrote) will teach any who respond to His ever present Holy Spirit (Ps 32:8)who speaks through and in perfect harmony with God's Word. The promise for the whole-hearted seeker is sure (Jer 29:13).
Notice, that Josiah does not use the term "temple" in regards to this great project, but to him it was "the house of the LORD", the One whom he worshiped with all his heart. That changes everything doesn't it? How do we see the place where we worship each Sabbath? Is it just the church or is it the very dwelling place of our LORD among us? Won't our personal focus affect our personal response as with Josiah?
These studies are not just about what they did back then, but about what can we learn from the mistakes and victories as we look back at their far-reaching effects. What did this young but faithful King bring about? What was the result of his personal devotion to the LORD? Men like Jeremiah, Daniel, Ezekiel, the 3 Hebrews(who all lived under the influence Josiah's reign) and eventually Nebuchadnezzar and it even affects us today through the influence of these men.
What a remarkable story of a child who gave his heart to the Lord at a very tender age? In studying this week's lesson one is left wondering how on earth did Josiah acquire such a good and noble character? His grandfather and father could not have been examples from whom he learnt such great lessons. Both his father and grandfather were evil men. He became king at a very tender age. He could so easily have gone astray. Yet he chose to be a child after God's heart. He served the Lord with resolute and intense determination. Already as a teenager he embarked up on spiritual reformation - getting rid of idols and high places, At 25 years old he assigned qualified and skilled craftsmen to repair the temple. I do think there are important lessons we should learn from this story. First, when you have an encounter with Jesus you can never be the same again. Second, the first thing that Christ will do is to repair our broken hearts. God wants us to believe in Him and He will empower us to do His will and purpose.
Refurbishing the temple is fine, but in the end, what really is crucial for a true revival and reformation? (See Phil. 2:3-8.)
1). Refurbishing the temple our body for Christ and God is so crucial that it is the most important avenue for reformation and revival. Once it is done it solves the issues of societies, communities and a nation as a whole.
2). It helps us to worship God in Truth and in Spirit.
As regards to Philippians 2:3-8 only when we die daily can Christ live in us and through us to consider other's interest paramount to yours and this world should be a better place to live in. We will always take high regard of other's first without compromising your values and loyalties to God but draw your loved ones to you for Love only can bring harmony among diversity,tolerance and unity.
Wickedness was at its height in Israel. Even sacrificing of babies was allowed. Here comes Josiah. To Satan it must have been the worse 31 years of his life for a long time. A small child overthrowing his reign in Israel. Oh how God must have rejoiced. I could see the heavenly angels jumping, flying and even may I say dancing (holy dance) with joy as they all saw altars broken down, the temple being rebuilt and the Israelites turning back to God. Our church need leaders like that today. Leaders who will go against the norm and stand for principle which in turn will cause a revival.