Josiah, by Steven Ford
Brother Steven Ford steps in to write this great article on a great servant of the Bible.
God’s Introduction:
Centuries before his birth, Josiah was introduced by way of prophetic promise. Under King Jeroboam, the children of Israel were led into idolatry and sin (1 Kings 12:25-33). Being displeased with his wickedness, the Lord sent a prophet unto Jeroboam to issue a promise of judgment to come. There was one coming that would restore order through corrective discipline. The man of God spoke to the alter in the presence of Jeroboam and said, “Behold, a child shall be born unto the House of David, Josiah by name; and upon thee shall he offer the priests of the high places that burn incense upon thee, and men’s bones shall be burnt upon thee” (1 Kings 13:2). In an age of spiritual darkness, we are introduced to one that will usher in light by way of righteous chastisement.
Some 300 years later, we are reintroduced to Josiah. Again, God’s people were steeped in sin. The two Kings that preceded Josiah were wicked and idolatrous. Both, Kings Manasseh and Amon did that which was evil in the sight of the Lord (2 Kings 21:2, 20). Yet, the young King prophesied to bring judgement and restoration was different. Of him, the Scriptures say, “Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem… 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” (2 Kings 22:1-2). When first introduced to Josiah, we are not told whether he will be a prophet, King, or peasant. All we know is that he will serve the Lord’s divine purpose. It is not until his reintroduction that we learn that Josiah will be both a King and righteous reformer. He is put before us as a man worth emulating.
His Identification
After such a profound introduction, Josiah lived up to expectation. Though born into a family line of sin and idolatry, he defied the odds and broke the cycle of wickedness. When Josiah heard the word of the Lord and realized that the nation was not living thereby, he tore his clothes in an outward display of grief and sorrow. The next things to be read of King Josiah are inspiring and encouraging. “And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem. And the king went up into the house of the Lord, and all the men of Judah, and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the Lord” (2 Kings 23:1-2). The King did not leave it to another to read the Word of God before the people. He demonstrated true leadership through his humble repentance (2 Kings 22:11) and responding to the word of God. Josiah tore down and destroyed the places of false worship and even exhumed and burned the bones of the wicked men buried in the high places, thus fulfilling his prophetic purpose.
Our Impression
When considering a man like Josiah, there are a few principles to takeaway from his amazing life. First, do not look back at the lives of our ancestors to determine what is right. Josiah’s father and grandfather were evil men. Yet he chose to be righteous. Remember, to live either evil or righteous is a choice. Second, do not look around at the culture to determine what is right. Men will often to what is popular or what pleases them at the moment. One should not allow the culture to influence them, but be a positive influence upon the culture. Third and finally, one should look up to God to discover what is right and how to live in this world. The nature of God never changes. He is good, holy, and loving. Josiah’s decision to follow God and right the wrongs within the Kingdom resulted in his finding favor in the eyes of God and being exempted from the judgement to come (2 Kings 22:15-20). May every soul hear the words of God, heed the words of God, and come to enjoy the blessings of the Lord.