“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. 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).
Considering the context of Josiah coming to the throne, what is so remarkable about the above texts?
The Bible doesn’t give us any explanation for this remarkable young man who, considering the circumstances, was most likely destined to be as corrupt and wicked as his father before him. That, however, wasn’t the case. For whatever reasons, he chose a different course, and that was to have a positive, though ultimately limited, impact on the nation.
Second Kings 22 mentions what Josiah did in regard to the temple. From the dedication of the temple by Solomon, long centuries had passed until Josiah’s reforms (622 b.c.). The kings had not really taken care of the temple. Time had eroded the building, which had once been beautiful. The young king saw that the temple was no longer suitable for worship as a result of long years of neglect.
What did Josiah do when he discovered the temple was in such disrepair? 2 Kings 22:3–7.
Today we would say that the king sent his minister of finance to the high priest and asked him to plan and oversee the materials and labor required to renovate the temple. They did not have to account for the money with which they were entrusted because they were acting faithfully. For whatever reasons, Josiah showed trust in them, and as far as the record shows, that trust was honored.
Refurbishing the temple is fine, but in the end, what really is crucial for a true revival and reformation? (See Phil. 2:3–8.)
Adventist Sabbath School Lesson for Adults
Q4 2015 «Jeremiah»
Lesson 8 – Josiah’s Reforms
