English: Josias-Josiah was a king of Judah (641–609 BC) who instituted major reforms. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Josiah began his reign at the age of eight. By the time he was twelve he had begun his purge of Judah and Jerusalem. He tore down the high places, the Asherim,, and the carved images. He chopped down the altars of the Baals. After breaking down the Asherim and the carved images into powder, he scattered the dust over the graves of those who had served them. Verse 5 says that “he also burned the bones of the priests on their altars and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.”

He sent officials into the house of the Lord to repair it, and they found that the Levites had still been collecting money from the people. They used it to pay builders and carpenters in the effort. Then Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord. It was brought to the king, and when he read it, he tore his clothes. Having discovered what the Law said, he told Hilkiah and those with him to inquire of the Lord concerning the Law. He knew that God’s wrath was upon them because of the evil their fathers had done.

Hilkiah went to Huldah the prophetess, who prophesied disaster for the people. But God told Josiah that because he had humbled himself, he would go to his grave in peace, without seeing the destruction to come. Josiah had the Law read to the people and he made a covenant with the Lord and brought the people into it. They served God all the days of Josiah’s life.

(This year’s reading plan for Luke, Acts, and 1 and 2 Chronicles averages just 15 verses per day – 5 days per week!)
Schedule for this week

/Bob’s boy

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some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

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