Josiah tries to reform the people

II Kings Chapter 23

King Josiah summoned all the leaders of Judah and Jerusalem and went to the Temple of the Lord. There he read them he entire Book of the Covenant that had been found in the Lord's Temple. He renewed the covenant in the Lord's presence and pledged to obey all the commandments and rules with his heart and sole and all the people pledged themselves to the covenant. He had the priests remove any item that was used in pagan worship and had them burned. He did away with pagan priests and ground the Asherah pole to dust. He brought back the priests of the Lord who had been living in other towns of Judah. He defiled many pagan alters and items as described in verses 10 through 16.

Then Josiah looked at the tomb of the man of God, who had predicted these things. He asked about the monument and the people told them of the man of God who came from Judah and predicted the very things that Josiah had done. And Josiah told them to not disturb the bones of this man nor the bones of the old prophet of Samaria. But he continued to demolish all buildings at pagan shrines and in the towns of Samaria as he had done at Bethel. He executed pagan priests and burned human bones on the altars to desecrate them.

Josiah then issued an order to the people to celebrate Passover as it was written in the Book of the Covenant. This had not been done sinc the time when judges ruled in Israel and throughout all the years of kings in Israel and Judah.

The King also exterminated all psychics, mediums and household god in obedience with the laws written in the scrolls from the Lord's Temple. Yet with all his obeyance of the laws of Moses, the Lord's anger burned against Judah because of the evil of King Manasseh. And the Lord vowed to destroy Judah and banish the people from his presence.

While Josiah was king, the Pharoah of Egypt went to the Euphrates river to help the king of Assyria. Josiah marched out to fight him, but the Pharoah killed him when they met at Megiddo. Josiah's officers took his body back in a chariot to Jerusalem and his son Johoahaz became king. He reigned for only three months and did what was evil in the Lord's sight. Pharoah put him in prison to prevent him from ruling Jerusalem and demanded silver and gold as tribute. Phararoah then installed Eliakim, another of Josiah's sons to reign and changed his name to Jehoiakim. Jeoahaz was taken to Egypt where he died a prisoner.

King Jehoiakim taxed the people in proportion according to their wealth in order to get the tribute money for the Pharoah. He reigned eleven years and did what was evil in the Lord's sight.

BIBLE NOTES SHOW: The prophecies mentioned in this chapter appar in I KIngs 11:5-8. Josiah was remembered as Judah's most obedient king. 1. He recognized sin. 2. He eliminated sinful practices 3. He attacked the causes of sin.

Egypt and Assyria had formed an alliance and perhaps Josiah thought they would turn on him after the battle at Babylon, so he tried to stop Egypt's army. But when he was defeated, Judah became a vassal state of Egypt. The appointed king Jehoiakim was a puppet king.

HOW DOES THIS CHAPTER RELATE TO US TODAY? It shows us that many good kings hd children who did not follow God. Maybe they rebelled or were not given a religious education. In our day, it still is up to parents to educate your children. You cannot rely on the fact that your are a strong believer, because that doesn't always guarantee your children will honor your beliefs. You must practice, explain and teach what you preach!

Yours in Christ,
Mary


Prayer Requests are needed for:
HEALTH:
My niece Suzanne who was in a terrible car accident and is in the hospital with many broken bones. Pray for her healing. Also Gabe, Wanda, Janice Long’s parents. especially her mother whose cancer has returned, and Arlene’s nephew David. Pray for my neighbor Al who is nearing the end of his life. Pray for Carolyn’s brother Ronald who has cancer. Pray for our friend Michelle who was diagnosed with MS. Pray for Cyndi Sullivan who was given 14 months to live with cancer, but has made it six years. The pain has returned and she needs our prayers.
UPDATE on Barb who went in for back surgery and had a heart attack and stroke, she has 90 percent of her speech back and is home , but continues to have a problem with one arm and hand. She will require long therapy and insurance may soon be a problem since her job was not held for her.
Pray for Robert Sargent with lung cancer and Marthaline Sargent with serious health issues..
Pray for Carolyn’s friend Margaret and her husband who were in a car accident. As elderly drivers they may face a life change which may cost them their independence. Let’s all raise our voices to God to hear our prayers.
Pray for the speedy recovery of Sandy in Minnesota who underwent successful brain surgery for a tumor recently.
Pray for Janice's friends who lost their son Bryan in a motorcycle accident.
SPIRITUAL UPLIFTING: Gail, Mary
RESTORATION OF FAITH: Al, John
LOVE AND SUPPORT: Claire, Hunter, Brian
SUPPORT: Haiti, Chile, survivors of Japan’s earthquake, survivors of the devastating tornadoes in our southernmost states and Joplin, Missouri. Pray too, for our country’s leaders and our military people who die each day for our freedom.