Do we need another Josiah?

Brief historical background

After the division of Israel kingdom into northern and southern kingdom (Israel and Judah), the Israelites went astray from God beginning from the reign of Rehoboam to Ahaz (922-715 B.C) more than 200 years. But when Hezekiah came to rule over Judah he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, just as his father David had done (2 Kings 18:3).

After the death of Hezekiah his son Manasseh came to power but he did evil in the eyes of the Lord, following the detestable practices of the nations the Lord had driven out before the Israelites. He erected altars to Baal and made an Asherah pole. His evil work provoked God to anger (2 Kings21:1-18). He reigned for fifty-five years. After his death, his son Amon reigned for two years but he too did evil (2 Kings 21:19-25). Josiah became king when he was just eight years old but reformation took place only after the 18^th year of his reign, which means till that time Israelites were worshipping idols. Manasseh reign 55 yrs + Amon 2yrs + Josiah found the book of Law in the 18^th yrs of his reign (55+2+18=75 yrs). After the death of Hezekiah another 75 years Israelites went astray.  

Josiah method of reformation

During the eighteenth years of Josiah’s reign the book of law was found in the temple of the Lord by Hilkiah the high priest, he gave it to Shaphan the secretary and Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king. When the king heard it he torn his robes and seek for God’s favor (2 Kings 22:3-11). The king’s responsive to the word of God does not end the story but he brought reformation and renews the covenant with God. Let us look at some of the methods of Josiah in the process of reformation from 2Kings 23.

1.       At the outset the King did not take decision himself but consulted the elders and mass participation was held in the temple of the Lord (vv.1-3). The king humbled himself, seeking to do the will of God. Then all the people pledged themselves to the covenant. How the king moved the people? He did not simply order or made decision from his luxurious Palace. He left his palace and went up to the temple. He is a man of both word and action. When the leaders humbled themselves and seek to do the will of God their people will surely follow them.

2.      The king smashed down Baal, Asherah, and Ashtoreth (v.4 & 13): These gods are known to be the fertility gods of Canaanites. What does these gods mean to us? People are too materialistic; the contemporary idols are wealth, fame, pride, position, selfish, nepotism etc. Whether we like it or not these things are prevailing in our society. Who will destroy them?

3.      The king desecrated Topheth (v.10): Topheth is ascribed to human sacrifice. No doubt that we don’t practice human sacrifice yet, killings, extortions, prevails. There are assassinations of the basic rights of others by way of unfair means, and many isms. Do not respect the moral values of others, discriminate down trodden, unequal distributions of share, and many more which equalizes the human sacrifices.

4.      The king did away with the pagan priests appointed by the kings (v.5): Those days the pagan priests were appointed by the kings so that they can perform burnt offering in favor of the kings not God. Today many church leaders’ falls prey in the hands of rich and influential people. Priorities are given to them and there is no justice in the church. Giving much importance to those in the power. Follow their decree rather than what the Bible or God says.

5.      The king tore down the quarters of the shrine-prostitutes (v.7): Sexual immorality is one of the common practiced to this day. It is totally against the will of God and highly condemnable. We talk so much of abstinence, but do our society today free from sexual immorality. In contrary most leaders are the victims of sexual immorality.

6.      The king burnt all the idols and shrines from the Kidron valley and brought the ashes to Bethel (v.4). ‘Bethel’ in Hebrew is “House of the Lord”, which means all the cleansing is done in the House of the Lord only. The Church should be the place to cleanse all sorts of social evils.

7.      The king ordered the people to celebrate Passover (v.21-23) which was stopped ever since from judges to the kings. Israelites were observing Passover for the deliverance when the angel of death passed over Israelite homes in Egypt. This is the annual festival to commemorate the deliverance from Egypt. Today are we free from all kinds of evil? Can anyone boldly say we are corruption free society? Is there any reason for us to celebrate? They have a reason to celebrate because they did what is right in the eyes of God. We celebrate so many festivals but ironically during festivals we do all kinds of evil. King Josiah ordered his people to rejoice because they have cleansed all the evil things in the society. They removed the idols and pledged to do the will of God.

Josiah took so seriously its injunctions and threats that he initiated the most sweeping reforms in the Hebrew history – indeed, a veritable revolution – which lasted until his death. Josiah’s reforms often interpreted solely in religious terms. They were more than the re-establishment of the supremacy of Yaweh worship and the uprooting of idolatrous practices in Jerusalem and all over Judah. Josiah did not only demolish the Assyrian altars but also dared to carry his crusade into northern Israel (vv.15 &19).

Josiah like leadership is needed in our society today. Many leaders can speak better but cannot do well. Beginning from individual to family and to society at large we find corruption everywhere. People are crying for justice, and peace. Some are struggling for square meal a day. There is a huge gap between haves and haves not. Who is going to fill the gap? Where are our leaders? Can anyone come to rescue? How long are we going to suffer?

Should we expect another Josiah to bring reformation in our society? After a gap of 75 years Josiah reformed the society, reaffirm the covenant with God. Dear friends how long have we been away from God? We proclaim Nagaland for Christ but how far is it true in reality? We really need reformation. Let us reaffirm our commitment. Let us not wait for another Josiah but let us be the agent of change. Josiah is you and me.