Josiah was eight years old when he became Judah’s king (2 Kings 22:1). His reign as Judah’s king was prophesied some 350 years prior. The man of God who prophesied against Jeroboam’s altar, precisely named the king who would burn the bones of evil men upon that wretched altar (1 Kings 13:2). That’s exactly what Josiah did too. He went about Judah tearing down idolatrous places, and destroying pagan worship. But what brought about Josiah’s reforms?
During the repair of the Temple, Hilkiah, the high priest, discovered the Book of the Law (2 Kings 22:8). Shaphan, the scribe, read the Law before king Josiah. Josiah rent his clothes as he heard the words. Immediately he enquired of the Lord to know what to do. Without question the Lord was angry with Judah for their continued idolatry. Judgment was imminent due to Judah’s neglect of God’s Law and their bent towards idolatry. Due to Josiah’s tender and contrite heart, he wouldn’t see God’s punishment during his days (2 Kings 22:19-20).
Josiah gathered all the elders of Judah and went to the House of the Lord. Josiah read in the ears of Judah the Law of Moses, then made a covenant to keep the commandments and to walk after the Lord (2 Kings 23:1-3). From that moment Josiah began to clean out the Temple, and to remove all of Judah’s idolatrous places. The revival that took place under Josiah was unmatched. There was no king before him that turned to the Lord with all his heart, soul, and might (2 Kings 23:25).
Once Josiah discovered truth he acted upon it. The Law of Moses had been neglected, and Josiah realized it as he listened to the words read to him. Truth isn’t just to be acknowledged, it is to be obeyed. In doing so, Josiah didn’t waste anytime reforming his life and the people he ruled. The apostle James wrote, “But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves” (Jam. 1:22). Josiah heard the Word and obeyed it. Let us open up the Word of God and discover truth for ourselves, then act upon it!