Were you surprised by how much idolatrous “stuff” was left inside the LORD’s temple? No wonder the Book of Law was lost and hidden out of sight. Spring cleaning must not have been a “thing” for those in charge of the temple and surrounding area.
For all the evil, misguided people praying to these false gods, there were also God-fearing people, too. With all the poles and shrines demolished, it’s amazing to realize that. What must they have been thinking as they finally watched the pagan shrines and customs being destroyed? Were they relieved at last? Were they afraid to trust that such changes would remain?
There were others that hadn’t known the LORD at all because he was “foreign” to them. How strange that seems being they were living in what had been God’s “Promised Land”! Verse 10 caught my breath. Imagine being surrounded by this ritual of killing innocent children!
King Josiah was on a rampage to cleanse his kingdom. He was so intent on pleasing the LORD. Josiah knew that removing all these distractions would be a good start to his reform.
We should all strive to please the LORD with our actions because we “want” to, not because we think we “have” to. Josiah may have believed he “had” to get rid of all this evil once and for all hoping God would change his mind about his promise of a coming exile. What do you think was Josiah’s motivation?
The older I get, the more I can resonate with Josiah. I want to leave the world a better place for those coming behind me, particularly my children, grandchildren, and beyond. I’m afraid the world I see right now is not even close to the ideal I would want for my descendants. Is it too late? Can “we” save this planet? No!
What sort of distractions are surrounding you? Are you ready to do a little spring cleaning yourself? Take some time today to evaluate your situation. Ask God to reveal what changes he’d like you to make.
Let’s pray …
Lord, thank you for the gift of forgiveness. I know that I have fallen short of what you have desired for me. Help me to smash and destroy the distractions that keep my focus away from you. Open my eyes so I can see the things you want me to remove from my life. I’m ready to do some cleansing to be more and more like Jesus. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
