And like unto him (Josiah) was there no king before him, that turned to the Lord with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him. 2 Kings 23:25 And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the Lord their God. And all his days they departed not from following the Lord, the God of their fathers. 2 Chronicles 34:33
Josiah was only 8 years old when he became King over Judah. It was a sad time for the nation. His father had been assassinated. It had been his father and his grandfather who had set up idol worship throughout the land. They had all but forgot God and sought after idol worship and lead the people into a life of seeking after only worldly pleasures. Long since the temple had been left to waste with no repairs. The gold used for worldly pleasures. Had Josiah heard of his great grandfather Hezekiah? After all, Hezekiah may have stumbled along the path; but, in his last days he had turned once more to worship God.
And then we find that at the age of 16, this young King turned to serve God once more and lead His people back into a worshipping nation.
For in the eighth year of his 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. And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them. 2 Chronicles 34:3-4
He proceeded on to restore the temple to its former glory. Remarkably, the workers and craftsmen followed his example for we are told that there was never any worry or concern as he gave them supplies they were honest and trustworthy.
It had been a very touching story of this Kings heart when they had found the book of the Law and he read it, he was greatly grieved for his people. He called the priests and said,
Go ye, enquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.2 Kings 22:13
And then God’s reply,
Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.But to the king of Judah which sent you to enquire of the Lord, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the Lord God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard; Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord.Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. 2 Kings 22: 17-20
And so it was. As God had before decreed, the nation would become captive to Babylon which we will see as we enter the book of Daniel. Yet, God for a season waited. His wrath was held until later generations.
We know that there is a final judgment that will be coming. God cannot hold his wrath against selfish evil man’s hearts forever. He has already declared that there will be an end one day. Yet let us consider if we bow before His throne and plead for our nation perhaps a revival will come.
We must not despair and throw up our hands, pleading for God’s return to be now! Look around you! How many friends, family and even strangers have not yet heard that Jesus Christ is the way, the truth and the life? We mourn the death of those whose blood has been shed so violently. [tweetthis]Do we not mourn for the souls of this world who never believed the gospel? [/tweetthis][bctt tweet=”Do we not love enough to be concerned with where your neighbor will spend eternity?” username=”effiedarlene”]
[bctt tweet=”Let us study God’s word, grow in truth, &pray to be light shining into the darkness.” username=”effiedarlene”]
I will praise thee with uprightness of heart, when I shall have learned thy righteous judgments. Psalm 119:7
Picture Courtesy of: https://unsplash.com/@williambout
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.