The King Who Brought Back God’s Word in His Kingdom

2 Kings 22:1-2 - “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. 

[2] 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.”

Josiah was only eight years old when he was appointed king of Judah. He reigned over Judah for 31 years. His reign in Jerusalem is mentioned in 2 Kings and 2 Chronicles. He was born to King Amon and was the grandson of King Manasseh, both of whom were corrupt kings of Judah. However, Josiah was known for his godly character and was recognized as one of the youngest rulers in the world.

Josiah was the final good king of Judah before the Babylonian captivity. He led God's people in a revival and reformation that was unfortunately short-lived. As the last good king of the southern kingdom, Josiah's legacy continues to be celebrated today.

It is widely accepted among scholars that when Josiah became king, a book called "The Book of the Law" was discovered in the temple (2 Kings 22:8). This book, which was likely Deuteronomy, had not been read for many years. 

Josiah, known for his righteousness, was deeply moved when he heard the book being read aloud, and he tore his clothes in a sign of repentance. Finally, he called together all the leaders in the land, and then he made a covenant to obey God's Law.

Every time we read or hear God's Word, we must allow it to challenge us. We must be open to how it exposes our shortcomings and prompts us to repent and move forward in obedience. If we find ourselves unmoved by the Scriptures, we should question whether we truly understand them, for God's Word is meant to transform our lives.

In 623 BC, King Josiah brought about a spiritual change in Israel. In 2 Kings 23, he eliminated all forms of idol worship from the temple and cleansed his kingdom of Canaanite customs. After Josiah's death, Judah reverted to the wicked ways that characterized the land before his reign.

Our prayer for today:

“Our Heavenly Father, You gave us a shining example of righteousness in King Josiah. May we, too, strive to cultivate a deep passion for God's Word, just as he did. Despite the wickedness of those before him, Josiah remained steadfast and unwavering in his faithfulness to You. Though brief, his life inspired a powerful revival that resonates even today. May we all be encouraged and motivated by his powerful testimony of faith. In Jesus' name, we pray, Amen.”