“Never before had there been a king like Josiah, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and soul and strength, obeying all the laws of Moses. And there has never been a king like him since.”
2 Kings 23:25 NLT
What shocking words if you consider the first six years of Josiah’s life were spent under the influence his grandfather Manasseh, the most evil king in Judah’s history. What hope was there for any good when this boy was crowned king at age eight?
However, after nearly two hundred years of neglecting the LORD’s Temple, King Josiah ordered its repaired, and thus the Book of the Law was discovered. Hearing The Word for the first time must have shocked the young king’s soul. Realizing the gravity of Judah’s disobedience, Josiah humbled himself and wept before the LORD. Then calling all the people to the Temple to read the Book to them, he took HIS place of authority and renewed the Covenant, pledging to obey all its commands.
Acting on that pledge, Josiah torn down, destroyed, removed, burned to ashes, smashed to bits any images of other gods, and defiled their shrines. With the same zeal, he ordered a celebration of the Passover—the greatest, like never before!
When we see the incredible evil around us today and begin to lose hope for the next generation, let’s remember Josiah. Hearing the Word of the LORD put a passion in his soul; and that passion changed a nation!
Father may we see that today—
young people with a passion for You that will impact our world like never before!
