"Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left." II Chronicles 34: 1-2.
Chapter 34 marks the beginning of King Josiah's reign. The passages leading up to chapter 34, however, describe the decadence of the people of Israel and, in particular, how their kings had lead them astray. The nation of Israel, a chosen people, had forgotten the Lord and all that He had done for them. Then, beginning in verse 1 of chapter 34, like a breath of fresh air, the young king commits himself to following the Lord.
As a result, the entire nation of Israel, during the generation of King Josiah's regin, turned again to following and worshiping the Lord. "As long as he lived, they did not fail to follow the LORD, the God of their fathers." II Chronicles 34: 33b.
It is simply amazing that the faith of one person, in this case a young man even, can alter an entire generation and cause an entire nation to again turn to the Truth. Of course, what is not contained in the Scriptures is the many struggles and hardships the young king had to endure in order to remain steadfast in following the Lord. But the struggles are not alltogether important. Rather, it is the testament to the power of a holy God moving through the faith of a single person. An illustration we should all pause to consider.
"Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the LORD." II Chronicles 34: 27.
Soli Deo Gloria.
4 comments:
I find it intresting that after Hilkiah had found the book of the law of the Lord and it was read before Josiah, his reaction was to rent his clothes. What passion and fear of the Lord he was filled with, so much that he reacted with such vigor. How long had it been since he had heard the words of the law? I know that Josiah's father Amon was a wicked man who worshipped the altars of pagan gods and idols; and he reigned for two years. Josiah's Grandfather, Manasseh lived the majority of his life doing evil in the sight of the Lord, although later he had humbled himself before the Lord. He has still failed to take down all of the high places and there were still some who worshipped their gods there. Manasseh's reign was 55 years. It was Hezekiah, Josiah's great-grandfather who had opened the doors again to the temple after his father had shut them. Is it possible that the word of the Lord was not spoken for 57 years or more? That could possible mean that an entire generation had not heard the word of the Lord spoken. If that is the case what a delight to the ears and souls of all who heard the word of the Lord under Josiah's reign. "For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all he does."-Psalm 33:4 "As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless. He is a sheild for all who take refuge in Him."- Psalm 18:30.
Does anyone know if these assumptions are true? How long had it been since the words of the Lord were uttered?
I am no biblical scholar, but it would appear that you are correct. Given Josiah's reaction, I would imagine that it had been quite some time since the people heard the readings from the book of the law of the Lord. The piercing effect on the human heart from the words of the Lord are quite amazing.
Hebrews 4:12 -- piercing:
For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
Thanks for the reference. Paul could not have put it any better!
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