By John Abiola
Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. And he did what was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the ways of his father David; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. 2Kings 22:1-2
Josiah’s ascension to the throne was a remarkable event, as he was just eight years old when he became king. His early reign was as a result of the tragic assassination of his father. This unexpected turn of events marked the fulfillment of a long-standing prophecy made by a man of God from Judah over three centuries period, as recorded in 1 Kings 13:1-2.
“At the LORD’s command, a man of God from Judah went to Bethel, and he arrived there just as Jeroboam was approaching the altar to offer a sacrifice.
Then at the LORD’s command, he shouted, “O altar, altar! This is what the LORD says: A child named Josiah will be born into the dynasty of David. On you he will sacrifice the priests from the pagan shrines who come here to burn incense, and human bones will be burned on you.” (NLT)
In Kings.22.2 scripture records “He did what was pleasing in the LORD’s sight and followed the example of his ancestor David. He did not turn aside from doing what was right.” (NLT)
This verse highlights Josiah’s faithfulness to God, stating that he:
1. Did what was right in God’s sight
2. Followed in the footsteps of his ancestor King David
3. Remained faithful, not deviating from God’s path
This emphasizes Josiah’s commitment to following God’s commands and his efforts to maintain a strong spiritual foundation.
Moving forward, ” In the eighteenth year of his reign, King Josiah sent Shaphan son of Azaliah and grandson of Meshullam, the court secretary, to the Temple of the LORD. He told him,
“Go up to Hilkiah the high priest and have him count the money the gatekeepers have collected from the people at the LORD’s Temple.
Entrust this money to the men assigned to supervise the Temple’s restoration. Then they can use it to pay workers to repair the Temple of the LORD.
They will need to hire carpenters, builders, and masons. Also have them buy the timber and the cut stone needed to repair the Temple.” 2Kings 22:3-7 (NLT)
King Josiah’s commitment to restoring the temple showcased his devotion to God. The temple had fallen into disrepair due to years of neglect by previous kings who had turned to foreign gods (1 Kings 16:30-31; 2 Kings 21:2-6).
Josiah instructed his scribe Shaphan to meet with High Priest Hilkiah at the temple, tasking him with hiring skilled workers to repair the structure (2 Kings 22:4).
The phrase “house of the Lord” is repeated throughout this account, emphasizing the temple’s significance as God’s dwelling place.
In ancient Israelite culture, the temple represented God’s presence, mirroring the Mesopotamian concept of a deity’s earthly residence (2 Samuel 7:1-2). Maintaining the temple required a team of personnel and resources, underscoring its importance in Israelite worship.
Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. So Shaphan the scribe went to the king, bringing the king word, saying, “Your servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of those who do the work, who oversee the house of the LORD.” Then Shaphan the scribe showed the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king 2Kings 22:8-10 (NLT)
First, this describes the significance of the Book of the Law in Israel’s history. According to Deuteronomy 31:24-27, a copy of the Book of the Law was to be placed beside the ark of the covenant, a tradition dating back to Moses’ time.
The neglect of God’s Word in Judah’s history was a result of prolonged disobedience. Despite having the Book of the Law, the people failed to follow its teachings, leading to spiritual decline.
This neglect underscores the importance of adhering to God’s commands and the consequences of ignoring His Word. In the same vein, the scripture challenges us to consider our own relationship with God’s Word.
Just like the people of Judah, who lost sight of the Book of the Law, we might be neglecting our own Bibles. We might have them on a shelf, collecting dust, untouched and unread.
The question is: would our lives be any different if our Bibles were actually lost? Are we actively engaging with Scripture, or is it just a mere decoration? We can learn from this example and take initiative to revive our own personal relationships with God’s Word. By prioritizing Scripture and making it a vital part of our daily lives, we can experience transformation and growth, both individually and as families.
When the king heard what was written in the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes in despair. 2Kgs.22.11 (NLT)
Here, the transformative power of God’s Word is put on display. When Shaphan read the Book of the Law to King Josiah, it marked a turning point in the kingdom’s spiritual journey.
The recovery and dissemination of God’s Word often precede spiritual revival. Throughout history, whenever the Bible has been rediscovered and shared, it has sparked renewal and revitalization. This process can begin with a single individual, as seen in Josiah’s story, where one person’s faith and obedience can have a ripple effect.
The pattern of spiritual revival following the rediscovery of God’s Word is evident in various periods of history, including:
- The Protestant Reformation, where the translation of the Bible into English languages led to widespread spiritual awakening
- The Evangelical Revivals of the 18th and 19th centuries, where the emphasis on personal conversion and biblical authority fueled spiritual renewal.
The passage also highlights the profound impact of God’s Word on King Josiah. Hearing the Scripture didn’t just convey information; it had a transformative, spiritual effect on him.
Josiah’s reaction is telling. He tore his clothes, a traditional expression of shock, horror, and grief. This dramatic gesture conveyed his deep conviction of sin and sorrow for the nation’s spiritual state.
The rending of his clothes signified the rending of his heart for the dishonour done to God, and the ruin he saw coming upon his people. His response demonstrates the power of God’s Word to:
- Convict of sin
- Awaken a sense of spiritual urgency
- Inspire genuine repentance
This showcases the importance of engaging with Scripture, allowing its message to penetrate the heart, and responding with authenticity and humility.
”Then he gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the court secretary, and Asaiah the king’s personal adviser:
”Go to the Temple and speak to the LORD for me and for the people and for all Judah. Ask him about the words written in this scroll that has been found. The LORD’s anger is burning against us because our ancestors have not obeyed the words in this scroll. We have not been doing what this scroll says we must do.” 2Kings 22:12-14 (NLT)
This describes Josiah’s response to discovering the Book of the Law. He instructs Shaphan to “enquire of the Lord” on his behalf (v. 13), driven by two primary concerns:
1. What actions to take: Josiah wants to know how to appease God’s wrath and prevent the consequences of their sins. This concern reflects a desire to understand how to rectify their wrongdoings and avoid God’s judgment.
2. What to expect and prepare for: Josiah acknowledges the fathers’ failure to heed the Book’s teachings and recognizes the severity of God’s wrath. He seeks to understand the implications of their actions and what they can expect as a result.
His enquiry demonstrates his concern for the people’s well-being and his desire to prevent God’s judgment. This highlights the importance of seeking guidance from God in times of uncertainty and sin, and the need for leaders to prioritize their people’s spiritual well-being. It also underscores the significance of:
- Recognizing the severity of God’s wrath
- Seeking to make peace with God
- Leaders taking proactive steps to prevent God’s judgment. By exploring these themes, we can gain a deeper understanding of Josiah’s actions and the spiritual principles that guided him.
”The king took his place of authority beside the pillar and renewed the covenant in the LORD’s presence. He pledged to obey the LORD by keeping all his commands, regulations, and laws with all his heart and soul. In this way, he confirmed all the terms of the covenant that were written in the scroll, and all the people pledged themselves to the covenant . 2Kings 23:3(NLT)
This verse highlights the people’s response to King Josiah’s leadership and example. Without being explicitly commanded, the people collectively stood for the covenant, demonstrating a spontaneous and unified commitment to the Lord.
It illustrates that:
1. Mass spiritual movements can’t be forced or commanded, but they can be influenced by godly leadership and example
2. God often works through human agency, using individuals to inspire and guide others
3. Josiah’s leadership played a crucial role in sparking a national response, showcasing the impact one person can have on a community.
This emphasizes the interplay between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility, demonstrating that while God is the ultimate source of spiritual transformation, human leaders and examples can facilitate and shape the process. So the question for you and I is, will you avail yourself?
”He did away with the pagan priests, who had been appointed by the previous kings of Judah, for they had burned incense at the pagan shrines throughout Judah and even in the vicinity of Jerusalem. They had also offered incense to Baal, and to the sun, the moon, the constellations, and to all the forces of heaven . 2Kgs.23.5 (NLT)
Josiah’s comprehensive approach to reform involved not only removing idolatrous objects but also the idolatrous priests who promoted and permitted these sinful practices. Effective reform must address both the symptoms and the root causes of sin, tackling the underlying issues that led to the sinful behavior.
Josiah’s actions demonstrate that simply removing sinful objects is not enough; it’s also essential to hold accountable those who promote and enable sin. By dealing with both the sinful things and the sinful people,
Josiah’s reforms aimed to create a more profound and lasting impact, reducing the likelihood of these sinful practices being reintroduced. This approach underscores the importance of leadership accountability in driving meaningful change.
”King Josiah then issued this order to all the people: “You must celebrate the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in the Book of the Covenant.” 2Kgs.23.21
This highlights Josiah’s efforts to restore the Passover celebration, a national holiday that had been neglected. Although Josiah couldn’t command genuine heart obedience to God’s Word, he could establish a formal observance of the Passover.
The verse held significant importance as it commemorated the central act of redemption in the Old Testament: God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt.
The neglect of the Passover reflected the people’s failure to remember God’s redemptive work, much like modern Christians neglecting the Lord’s Supper or communion, which symbolizes Jesus’ sacrifice and redemption. ”As with all the biblical festivals, Passover foreshadows the coming of Jesus, our Deliverer and our Savior.
He is the One who made eternal atonement for ours sins. You may recall John the Baptist, seeing Jesus coming toward him, crying out, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) And again he said ,”Behold the Lamb of God” Apostle Peter says ,
1Pet.1.19 – He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God.
1Pet.1.20 – God chose him for this purpose long before the world began, but now in these final days, he was sent to the earth for all to see. And he did this for you.
1Pet.1.21 – Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And because God raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory, your faith and hope can be placed confidently in God. Peter is referring to Jesus Christ as the only and ultimate and perfect Lamb of God who took away our sins
Josiah’s initiative to revive the Passover celebration marked a notable event, as it had been so long neglected. This renewed focus on the Passover served as a reminder of God’s redemptive work and helped rekindle the people’s connection with their spiritual heritage.
Will you take the initiative? The fate of the world rests upon true believers who would seek the Lord in a time of spiritual and moral decadence, and would take bold steps towards bringing the promised revival to fruition. Like Josiah, God is raising men and women of radical faith and resilience to spearhead His mighty move.
Would you be ready to lay at the feet of the Cross and cry out to God “use me?
God did not run looking for a thousand men to perform the deep reformative work done by Josiah, He only needed one and He chose Josiah.
In Isaiah 6:8 to 9, Isaiah made Himself available to be used by God, and he was precipitated unto the Pinnacle of reviving the nation of Isreal.
In a nation so dark during the time of Josiah, He was submissive unto God to be used to perform a reformation in the land of Isreal.
Now there’s something I would like to emphasize, to unveil the fact that Inrespective of the fact that he was chosen he submissively made himself available to God to be used to perform God’s work.
It was recorded that, Josiah’s grandfather, Manasseh reign was one of the longest of all Israel leader(55 years) and he was either the most wicked king or one of the most wicked king, In his time he revived idol worship and desecrated the sacred things of the Lord.
He sacrificed his son to the god Molech(2 kings21:6) and practiced soothsaying – divination and foretelling. He even went as far as putting an Idol of Aserah in the temple where God resides (verse7 of 2kings 21), he seduced the children of Isreal into the pool of iniquity.
Again, Amon the son of Manasseh, father of Josiah and king of Judah was also wicked like his father after reigning for two years was murdered by his servants ( 2kings 21:20) .
Scripture recorded that he walked in the ways of the father, that’s to say that he actually continued in the wicked path of his father, serving the idols his father served.
Now this in my point of emphasis; Josiah was born in the midst of all this, He witnessed to some extent most of the atrocities done by his grandfather and father. But yet in chapter 22:2 it was said that Josiah walked in “the sight of the Lord( a testimony that was once accredited to John the Baptist), and walked in all the way of David his father and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left”.
This uncovered the fact that Josiah will to follow the ways of his ancestors was overwhelmed by the will of God.
Every man on Earth has a free will to Walk with God and be his vessel in a dark generation, and such man also have a will to follow the desires of his flesh. However, the command being given to humanity which is Matthew 6:10, ” Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven”, should be our compelling force.
Josiah had the opportunity, the unlicensed license to follow after the ways of his father, but he choosed to follow after God.
And because he followed, look at the mighty move of God that broke out during his time, do you know what it means to revitalize a lost celebration during the time of Israel, he made it possible during his time. He uprooted both the promoters of evil and the structures of evil called idols, eradicated them within a period of time.
He wouldn’t have being able to wrought this mighty things, if he had not being willing to be used by God. Both Josiah and his grandfather became King at a very young age, so we can’t say it’s probably because he was much younger. Nay! It was because, one was willing and other was not willing, one was submissive, the other was unsubmissive. His father or grandfather could have done what Josiah did if only their heart was set towards God.
You can be that vessel that would become a vessel in the hands of God to uproot the webs of darkness in the world.
You can become a terror to the kingdom of darkness if only you can bend your will to God’s will.
If Josiah could be used you can, Josiah father and grandfather or his ancestors were chosen just like Josiah. If Josiah made himself available you can. Would you be available?
REMINDER:
Good Friday: A Global Day of Fasting and Prayer for worldwide revival .
Join millions of believers in Christ from around the world to pray and fast this Good Friday, …. April 18, 2025 for worldwide revival and harvest of lost souls in the world.
Jesus – Only Hope for the lost world
The sole pathway to the redemption of humanity and to heaven; the Holy City, is through the death, burial, resurrection and ascension.
Prayer and fasting are master keys:
Prayer and Fasting remain two master keys to awakening the dying Church and opening the world of Islam, Buddhi, Hindu, and the Heathen world for Christ.
So, let’s all cry out to God for revival and awakening in the Church and salvation of the remaining billions of unsaved souls.
Read more, digest, and share this free online book: Stirring an awakening in John Abiola’s revive us again.http://q=https://churchtimesnigeria.net/stirring-an-awakening-in-john-abiolas-revive-us again/amp/&sa=U&ved=2ahUKEwjgt_zC_6KMAxWw_rsIHYeqEEwQFnoECAoQAg&usg=AOvVaw1qi_qD08aHQkLJbxc-PcNr
Revive Us Again series 108.
By John Abiola Intercessor for revival, founder of Nigeria Global Intercessors and author of online revival publications Revive Us Again series.nigeriaglobalintercessorsngi@gmail.com
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