Neither before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the LORD as he did-with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, in accordance with all the Law of Moses. II Kings 23:25 (II Kings 21&22, II Chronicles 33-35)
With Manasseh’s death, his son Amon came to the throne. Amon was a wicked king and was assassinated in the second year of his reign. Josiah, an eight year old child, became king of Judah. By the time Josiah was an adolescent he was seeking the God of his father David and soon began sweeping reforms including the demolition of ALL places and objects of pagan worship. A measure of true repentance among the people followed, but it was too little and too late to turn the tide of Judah’s fate.
During the restoration/renovation of the temple, a book of law was found. Josiah read this book, led the people in returning to the Law God gave Moses, but was also stricken by the warnings of consequences for sin. The apex of Josiah’s leadership was the return to the practice and celebration of Passover and a purposeful remembering of what God had done in the lives of His people.
This grandson of Manasseh had the opportunity to watch and compare the success of his grandfather, who had a late in life conversion, and his father, who died as a result of corruption and unchecked evil. He chose the God that forgave and lent His strength to those who trusted. Josiah is noted as one of Judah’s greatest kings, not for lands conquered or vaults filled with gold, but because He chose, with all his mind, heart and soul, to honor and worship the One True God. A little bit of faith, goes a really long way!
Love,
Gretchen