Good morning. It Thursday, so it is the day of Bible characters for my thought for the day. Today, I would like to focus on a somewhat obscure character from the Old Testament, but his story is quite remarkable.
Josiah was one of the greatest kings to ever rule Israel. He started his reign when he was only eight years old, and even from that very tender age we are told in 2 Kings 22:2 “he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.” He was the 16th of Israel’s kings, and reigned from 640-609BC. Previously, the kings of Israel had led the nation down an increasingly evil path, away from the will of God. But Josiah set his mind on the righteous pattern of King David who had reigned 350 years earlier, and Hezekiah who had reigned about 100 years earlier.
By the time Josiah was 20 years old he had grown in faith and understanding to the point that he was sickened by the idolatrous ways of Israel. He began a fierce campaign to destroy the worship places and altars of Baal. This did not make him popular with those who had been leading the people in their heresy against God, but opposition only made him more determined.
A few years later Josiah gave the orders that the temple of God should be restored. It had fallen into terrible disrepair through a couple of hundred years of plundering and neglect. Much of what was of material value in the temple had been pillaged and the structure itself was in terrible condition.
As the workers were cleaning out the debris from the temple and preparing it for restoration, they made an incredible discovery. They found ancient scrolls that were the Word of God. The scrolls were given to Shaphan the secretary, and he brought them before the king. The story of the finding of the Law, the first 5 books of the Word of God, begins like this: Then Shaphan the secretary told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king.2 Kings 22:10
The priest saw the scrolls containing the Pentateuch, the first five books of God’s Word, and didn’t seem all that interested. He gave them to the king’s official secretary, who then read from them to the king. Josiah immediately knew what they were, and his reaction is remarkable: When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes. 2 Kings 22:11 Josiah performs an immediate act of great grief. This is the Word of God! How shameful that the nation had so abandoned the Word that they had completely forgotten about it. Young Josiah bursts into action: And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the secretary, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying,“Go, inquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.”2 Kings 22:12-13 God answers them, and His message to Josiah is that his faithfulness will be remembered and honored by God. Josiah then redoubles his efforts to rid the land of Baal and the worship of idols. He purges Israel of the sorcerers and the mediums, and he called the people together and commands that the Passover shall again be celebrated! Josiah orders that the people are to meet in the temple. When they do, he reads the Word of God and weeps, and then he swears his commitment to God that Israel shall again become God’s covenantal people. (Chronicles 34)
Josiah caused a revival of what we know as God’s “remnant”. The remnant are the people of God who have always remained faithful, even when those around them have gone astray. Was his effort rewarded with a lasting turn to righteousness by Israel? No. Unfortunately, many of the kings who came after him reverted to evil ways. Josiah dies in battle, but his legacy of righteousness was well remembered, and he did have a powerful effect.
What has moved me in reading about Josiah is his willingness to stand for righteousness even when nearly everyone around him supported evil in every way. It couldn’t have been easy, but he hung in there and he was blessed. The other thing that strikes me is the beauty and the power of the Word of God. The temple had been pillaged of its gold, but the greatest treasure was left behind. That treasure was recognized by Josiah, and he lifted it up!
The story of Josiah is truly a marvelous story of repentance, spiritual leadership, and the mercy of God!
God bless you throughout your day, and may you find true treasure!
Vern.