1 & 2 Kings – Page 2

2 Kings 23:31-37 – Two Bad Apples

3 apples with the words "Just because you find one bad apple doesn't mean you should give up on the whole tree

How could a father like Josiah produce two sons who both do what’s “evil in the Lord’s sight”? We know that what God has promised is coming. Josiah was able to “save” himself, but clearly his goodness didn’t trickle down to his children.

But I’m projecting my own understanding of how an earthly father nurtures his children. I am very fortunate that my dad modeled devotion to the church and frequently volunteered to serve the kingdom. I saw that behavior as a child and understood being faithful was important. I also witnessed many others going in the opposite direction.

2 Kings 23:21-30 – Standing Out

Read 2 Kings 23:21-30

little girl with chin in hands looking with wonder with background of stars behind her

It’s hard to believe the Passover was not celebrated for all those years! It speaks to the level of distance that had come between God and his people. To celebrate the Passover is to relive and remember with awe the events of the Israelites’ deliverance from Egyptian oppression. Josiah was trying everything to get God’s attention and forgiveness.

Would Jewish people still be celebrating the Passover today if Josiah hadn’t revived it all those years ago? I suppose we could speculate all day long. But the important thing to see is how Josiah stood out from all of the other kings.

2 Kings 23:4-20 – Spring Cleaning

Read 2 Kings 23:4-20

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?

2 Kings 23:1-3 – All the People

Read 2 Kings 23:1-3

They did “get it” — at least once! I’m referring to the Israelites hearing Josiah’s words that day. We see that “all the people pledged themselves to the covenant.” In the New Living Translation, notice the word “all.” That made me really think.

I had to imagine that day. Josiah had summoned all the people. It wasn’t just the upper class. He needed everybody to hear about the words from God they had found. It wasn’t just “hearing” either. Josiah led the way by making a pledge to the covenant, and he wanted the people to do the same. They did. All of them!

2 Kings 22:8-20 – What a Discovery!

Read 2 Kings 22:8-20

I don’t know about you, but I’d be over the moon to find a message from God like Hilkiah found in the LORD’s temple. How many times do I hear myself asking God to reveal his will for my life? The Book of the Law that Hilkiah discovered was probably the core of what we know as the book of Deuteronomy. It had obviously been hidden away and not referenced for many years.

Hilkiah’s find would rock Josiah’s world. We even hear that Josiah “tore his clothes in despair”. While Josiah had been so focused on restoring the temple, he now saw a new, more crucial mission. Doom to his people seemed imminent. Josiah’s immediate response was to go to the LORD for counsel. That’s a good idea for us, too, especially when we are troubled and unsure of our future.