JOSIAH: ENGAGING THE WORD2 Kings 22:10 – 23:3

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August 29, 2010

INTRODUCTION

Josiah the “Reformer” king Because of his Extraordinary Faith in Scripture

Author of Kings used biblical book Deuteronomy as a ‘lens’ to evaluate the kings of Israel & Judah

Examples for us: Extraordinary faith in the Word of God Using the Bible as the key to understanding our

experiences and the world

1. THE STORY OF JOSIAH

640-609 BC - Josiah became king of Judah (Northern Kingdom) at 8 yrs old; reigned 31 yrs (22:1)

Good king - “He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.” (22:2; cf. Deut 17:20)

Repaired the temple (22:3-7) High priest Hilkiah found the ‘Book of the Law’ which is

the biblical book of Deuteronomy (Deut) (22:8) Book of the Law was read to Josiah (22:10)

1. THE STORY OF JOSIAH Josiah “tore his clothes” (v11) – responded with despair and

saw the need for repentance Josiah sent for confirmation from the Lord (22:13) Priest and others went to Huldah the prophetess (22:13-20) Her message:

Confirmed the truth of the Book of the Law Confirmed the need for repentance, Foretold that judgment would still come to Judah because of

disobedience & idolatry Stated that the Lord acknowledged Josiah’s repentance Foretold that Josiah’s “eyes will not see all the disaster” (22:20) that

was coming to Judah and that he would die in peace

1. THE STORY OF JOSIAH Josiah read the Book of the Law to “all the people from the least to the

greatest” in the nation of Judah (23:1-2) Josiah renewed the covenant between God and God’s people as set out Deut

(23:3) Promise to keep God’s commands with all one’s heart and soul

Josiah set the example and the people renewed the covenant as well Josiah obeyed the commandments found in the Book of the Law (23:4-19)

Destroyed all places of idol worship in Judah and in the most offensive places in Israel

The “man of God from Judah” mentioned in 23:16c-18 was a prophet. He prophesied that Josiah would bring reforms (cf. 1 Kings 13)

Josiah ordered everyone to celebrate the Passover (23:21-23) Years later Josiah was killed at Megiddo

2. JOSIAH’S EXAMPLEHe fully engaged with Scripture! He CELEBRATED the Passover as per Deut 16 He LISTENED & LEARNED the Book of the Law He OBEYED the Book of Law He REPENTED (“tore his clothes” v11) He led by EXAMPLE (renewed covenant first) He TAUGHT (read Book of Law to people)

SO Josiah is remembered as:• the most faithful king• precursor to Christ, the True Reformer

How do you engage with Scripture?

Presupposes:- Belief that we should engage with Scripture

- A desire to engage with Scripture

3. ENGAGING WITH SCRIPTURE CELEBRATE the promises found in the Word of God LISTEN & LEARN– read & study the Word OBEY – be teachable REPENT – turn away from sin and live by the Word Lead by EXAMPLE – just like Christ did (cf. Phil 2) TEACH the Word

SO that we will be:• good and faithful servants (cf. Mt 25:14ff)• representatives of Christ, the True Reformer

3. ENGAGING WITH SCRIPTURE

CELEBRATE

LISTEN & LEARN

OBEY

REPENTEXAM

PLETEACH

O

FAITHFUL & CHRIST-LIKE