Scripture to Read: 2 Kings 23:4-27
Josiah quickly began to follow through on his promise to keep God’s Word. He ordered a full cleansing of the false religious idols. He ordered the removal and destruction of objects, altars, and images associated with idol worship from God’s Temple and throughout Jerusalem. He ordered the pulling down of the high places and altars used for child sacrifice and burned the Asherah pole. He deposed and punished pagan priests and removed the idolatrous priests from the Temple precincts while also restoring the proper duties of the Levitical priests. Josiah brought all the removed items to Bethel, destroyed the pagan altar, burned its idolatrous objects, and scattered the ashes over the graves of the people who had sacrificed to them. He abolished all of the local shrines in all of Judah. He also honored the Passover in a way that had not been seen since the days of the judges. His reforms removed pagan worship from Judah. But in 2 Kings 23:4–27, we also see that, despite Josiah’s faithfulness, the Lord’s fierce anger still burned against Judah for the sins of Manasseh. God’s judgment was still to come. God tells us that sin always results in death (Romans 1:32, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:12, Romans 6:16, Romans 6:21, Romans 8:6, Romans 8:13, Galatians 6:8). God never deals with sin lightly, but, thanks be to God the Father that through Christ our Lord, our sins have been fully paid for and we have been fully cleansed by the shed blood of Christ our King.
Challenge & Application
What actions did Josiah take to show he was serious about obeying God and His Word?
What needs to be taken out of your life to consistently obey God and His Word daily?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!