Study Questions:

1. What reforms did Josiah make in Judah and Israel? (2 Chronicles 34:3-7)

2. How did Josiah react when he heard the words of the Book of the Law? (2 Chronicles 34:19, 20)

Commentary and Reflection:

Today’s reading covers the same account we read yesterday in 2 Kings 22, 33. To avoid repeating the same story, I will just offer some reflections.

The origin of Josiah’s spiritual experience and the great reforms he made was in this decision: “In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still a boy, he began to seek the God of his father David…” (2 Chronicles 34:3)

“He began to seek God,” that was the beginning. The reforms he made in Judah and Israel were significant, but they were not done all at once; they took time. When someone decides to seek God, the reforms that align their life with His Word are inevitable, but they take time. We do well to be patient with others in their spiritual journey, especially with new converts. “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” (Proverbs 4:18)

God led Josiah and the people to His Word. “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord,” was the announcement from Hilkiah. It is amazing how the book was lost in the very house of the Lord. The Book of the Law was the Bible of that time, the written revelation of God at that time. Its discovery and reading had a powerful impact on Josiah and all the people. The Word of God can and should have that impact today in our lives and in the church.

By this time, the kingdom of Israel no longer existed, so Josiah was able to extend his reforms beyond Judah to all the territory of the twelve tribes (2 Chronicles 34:6).

Among other reforms, he destroyed the altar of the golden calf that Jeroboam had set up in Bethel, which had been the cause of apostasy and curse in Israel for so many years.

The celebration of Passover was a milestone in history and an important part of Josiah’s reforms. Likewise, participation in the current celebrations of Jehovah’s feasts, the weekly Sabbath observance, the Holy Communion, prayer weeks, evangelistic campaigns, and the annual Campestre are important parts of the reform that should exist among us today.

When Josiah first heard the words of the Book of the Law, thinking about the important decisions he had to make, he immediately sought to consult the Lord. He then received the message from the prophetess Huldah. In contrast, years later, following the advice of diplomats and political strategists, he insisted on intervening in a conflict that did not concern him, ignoring God’s direct instruction. He erred by giving more attention to his own wisdom and that of his advisors than to God’s voice.

God reveals His will through the means He chooses. In this case, He spoke to Josiah through Necho, king of Egypt. Necho advised him, inspired by God, not to participate in the war: “Do not oppose God, who is with me, or He will destroy you.” (2 Chronicles 35:21)

God has promised not to leave us without His counsel and guidance. We will find it if we are willing to receive it. God speaks through the instrument He chooses. He may speak to us through a coworker, a spouse, a child, or anyone around us. We must be willing to receive His message and be sensitive to His voice.

Regarding Josiah’s death, Selected Messages states: “But in the end, he died in battle. Why? Because he did not heed the admonitions given to him.” (MS 163)

These things were written for our admonition and teaching. Let us seek the Lord today and be sensitive to His voice.

Before the written Word of God, may our experience be like that of Hilkiah and Josiah then, and may our hearts joyfully exclaim: “We have found the Book.”