Josiah was a young man who was in charge of a country since he was eight years old. His father and grandfather did evil in God’s sight, but Josiah rose above that and became his own man, one who did right, followed David’s ways, and did not turn from them (2Kn. 22:2). So it was in the 10th year of his reign, (he was only 18) while he was arranging for the temple to be properly maintained, that a book was found by the high priest and delivered to the king by his scribe. Shaphan read the Book himself, then told the king about it and read it to the king.
And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes. …Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us. 2Kn. ,13
Josiah immediately responded to the words he heard, and he grieved (rent his clothes). He also realized he and his people had not listened or done the things they were supposed to do according the Book. So Josiah sent his people to inquire from the Lord. The Lord replied that since Josiah’s heart was right and he had humbled himself and cried unto God, that all the promises of destruction would not happen during his lifetime, but he would have peace.
Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place… and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD… thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace… 2Kn. ,20
Oh, how wonderful for Josiah, all would be well during his reign, so there was nothing more to do, right? He could sit back and take comfort knowing that God would take care of him and the land. All was well… But Josiah had changed after the reading of the Book. He would never be the same again. “And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.” 2Kn. 23:25
The first thing Josiah did is make the people hear the words of the Book (2Kn. 23:2) and make a covenant with the Lord. Then he had the idolatrous vessels removed and burned. All the priests of idols were slain, and the shrines, altars, statues, obelisks that littered the country were torn down and defiled. He re-instituted the Passover and put away all abominations in the land so that all the words of the Book were followed (2Kn. ). Josiah didn’t become complacent, but removed the cursed things from the land.
The Book- the Bible can change our lives. It can transform our hearts and minds to a place where we will never be the same again. For that to happen, we need to read it, hear it, and respond to it. The words in it are living and powerful (Heb. quick=living) as much today as they were in Josiah’s day. Imagine what would happen in this world if all Christians lived by the Book. Let us all determine to allow the words in His Book to transform our hearts and lives so we can actively show His love and justice, and be the salt and light in this dark world.
This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. Jos. 1:8