2 Chronicles 34–35

"Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign." (2 Chr. 34:1) This tells a tale about the condition and ways of God's people. His own servants had murdered Josiah's father, after a short and evil reign of two years, when he was twenty-four. Such things ought not to have been. They were the sad fruit of sin and folly — the humiliating proof of Judah's departure from Jehovah. But God was above all. We would never have expected to find a child of eight years old on the throne of David. Yet that child could find his sure resource in the God of his fathers. So here, as in every other case, "where sin increased, grace abounded all the more." The very fact of Josiah's youth and inexperience only gave an occasion for the display of divine grace, and for showing the value and the power of the Word of God.

What, then, was the condition of things when Josiah — a child of eight years old — came to the throne? As gloomy and depressing as it could be. He was surrounded, we may say, by the accumulated rubbish of ages. He had to grapple with errors and evils introduced by no less a person than Solomon himself, the very wisest of men.

It is at this point, when the nation has almost completely turned away from God, that the son of Amon, a child eight years old, comes to the throne. But how wonderful are the ways of God! In the middle of these evils He has kept a remnant for Himself, people who sigh and cry before Him. And the boy king, fed on idolatry from infancy, finds grace in His eyes.

Every nation needs strong and sound leadership to hold down evil and let righteousness prevail. What could a child of eight do with a restless people, far gone in wickedness and close to overwhelming judgement? What follows will show that Jehovah had mercy on the child, and also on the nation. … His name means "Given of Jehovah." This is suggestive. Such a godly and conscientious king was a priceless gift to the people of Judah at a critical moment.

This proves that after at least three centuries the prophecy of the prophet from Judah was still fresh in people's minds. God not only lets none of His words fall to the ground. He also makes sure that in some way they are kept in the memory of those concerned in them. … How awed and encouraged king Josiah must have felt! He knew that God had named him and appointed him for the work he was doing, so many generations before.

In the 8th year of his reign, aged 16, he began to seek the Lord. That was his starting point. … Teenagers ask themselves many questions. One of them is "what shall I do with my life?" Josiah did the only right thing: he sought God. Over the next 4 years God prepared him. In the 12th year, at 20, he began his big clean-up operation. … He also took the work to other tribes in the far north and the south, which were not strictly under his rule. This was not just arranged by delegation. He took part in the work himself.

It is a great matter, while the heart is still tender, to have it impressed with the fear of the Lord. This keeps the heart from a host of evils and errors. There is great force and value in the words, "He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD." It was not what was right in his own eyes. It was not what was right in the eyes of the people, or in the eyes of those who had gone before him. It was simply what was right in the eyes of the LORD. This is the solid foundation of all right action. Until the fear of the Lord gets its true place in the heart, there can be nothing right, nothing wise, nothing holy.

The darkness of Amon's reign is the background that makes the reign of his famous son Josiah shine. It was a time of great weakness... It is therefore refreshing to read that Josiah "did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left" (2 Chr. 34:1-2). This is a commendation from God given to no other occupant of the throne of David.

What a contrast he was to his father Amon!... Indeed, he was the last king in Judah with a good record. This shows us that even when the people as a whole have sunk to a low ebb, there may still be bright exceptions to the general trend.

Scripture says of both Hezekiah and Josiah that David their father was their model. David was the man after God's own heart... It is the often-repeated truth that to see what God's mind is, we must go back to the beginning... Even believers today fall into the same mistake. They make their parents' walk their standard, or the walk of other Christians they especially admire, instead of the walk of the only perfect Example. (See 1 John 2:6.)

Josiah began to reign at eight years of age. His reign was faithful and godly, because he walked in the ways of David, the first of Israel's godly kings (v. 2). In the same way, we should take our instructions today from the first days of Christianity, not from men who have followed through the years.

What a testimony for the Holy Spirit to bear concerning a young man! How we do long for this plain decision!... It imparts great peace of mind. A wavering man is never peaceful; he is always tossed to and fro. He tries to please everybody, and in the end pleases nobody. The decided man, on the contrary, is he who feels he has "to please but One."

Some in the kingdom might think him too bound to the letter of what was written. But he would have God's approval, and that was quite enough. No one can say where a deliberate departure of a hair's breadth may lead in the end.

There is no mention of any spiritual helper for Josiah as in the case of Joash more than a century earlier... With Josiah there were probably more direct dealings with God. That would account for his sturdy faith and his amazing energy in serving God. But whether Joash or Josiah, or the writer of this and his readers, all is grace. Every scrap of good that has ever appeared in any of us is the work of the Holy Spirit.

At the tender age of sixteen he began to seek the Lord. At twenty he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places and the carved and metal images... So he made sure that no one could ever bring those images back into Jerusalem. Though Manasseh had taken away the images he had made before, he did not destroy them, so Amon brought them back. Josiah would allow no such thing.

Josiah removed the idolatrous priests from the high places in the cities of Judah, and all those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun, to the moon and to the constellations of stars in the whole heaven. Judah had multiplied her gods beyond measure. A wooden image stood in the house of the Lord, just as many churches introduce images that look nice but are an insult to the Lord Jesus. Josiah burned the image at the brook Kidron and threw the ashes on graves, signifying that the idolatry was worthy only of the corruption of death.

All this took place before Josiah even knew of God's law. He had not needed the law to tell him that idolatry was sin against God. Why not? Because the practice of idolatry is sin against God as Creator, as everyone should know, not only sin against His law.

But, Christian reader, let us remember this: all the mischief, all the corruption and confusion, all the shame and dishonour, all the reproach and blasphemy, had its origin in the neglect of the Word of God. We can never ponder this fact deeply enough... It has always been a special aim of Satan to lead God's people away from Scripture... He will use anything and everything to get the heart and conscience away from that one golden sentence, that divine, eternal motto, "IT IS WRITTEN." All that enormous pile of error which our devoted young king was able to "grind into dust, and beat into powder" — all, all had its origin in the gross neglect of this most precious sentence. It mattered little to Josiah that all these things could claim to be ancient, backed by the authority of the fathers of the Jewish nation.

God commissioned each of them to destroy Baal-worship and the other horrible things that disgraced the land of Israel. But the motives of the two men were very different. With Josiah the Word of God was the governing factor... But in Jehu we see a great deal of self-seeking. Personal ambition had a large place in his mind even when he was doing what was right in the eyes of God. When he met his friend Jehonadab the son of Rechab, he said, "Come with me, and see my zeal for Jehovah." True souls do not parade their good deeds like this.

No one ever rooted out idolatry as thoroughly as Josiah did across the whole land of Israel. He killed all the priests, burned their bones on their altars, and then destroyed the altars themselves, reducing them to powder. Such thoroughness God loves... The Lord Jesus will carry out a world-wide clearance when He appears. "The Son of Man will send His angels, and they will gather out of His kingdom all causes of sin and all law-breakers, and throw them into the fiery furnace. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth."

At last, after more than three hundred years, the prophecy of "the man of God out of Judah" comes true. He had said: "Behold, a son shall be born to the house of David, Josiah by name, and he shall sacrifice on you" — the idol altar at Bethel — "the priests of the high places who make offerings on you, and human bones shall be burned on you" (1 Kings 13:2).

In the 12th year, at 20, he began his big clean-up operation. He destroyed idols of every kind. He dug up the remains of idolatrous priests and burned the bones on the altars where they had sacrificed… He also took his mission to other tribes, far north to Naphtali and south to Simeon. These were not strictly under his rule, since Assyria had already carried the ten tribes away. This was not just arranged by delegation. He took part in the work himself.

Josiah smashed images, broke down altars, and burned the bones of idolatrous priests on their altars. So the young king showed his hatred of evil practices and of the men who led the way in them.

Josiah also burned the bones of the idolatrous priests on their altars. It seems these were the bones of men who had died earlier… All this took place before Josiah even knew of God's law. He had not needed the law to tell him that idolatry was sin against God. Why not? Because idolatry is sin against God as Creator, and everyone should know that. It is not just sin against His law.

All the mischief, all the corruption and confusion, all the shame and dishonour, all the reproach and blasphemy, had its origin in the neglect of the Word of God… It has ever been a special design of Satan to lead God's people away from Scripture. He will use anything and everything for this end: tradition, the church so-called, expediency, human reason, popular opinion, reputation and influence, character, position, and usefulness. He will use all of these to pull the heart and conscience away from that one golden sentence — that divine, eternal motto, "IT IS WRITTEN." It mattered little to Josiah that these things could claim to be ancient, or that the fathers of the Jewish nation had approved them. If they were not based on "Thus says the LORD," he had only one thing to do with them: "beat them into powder."

The good work began with the judgment of what was evil in God's sight. They firmly cleared Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the groves, and the carved and cast images. They broke down the altars of the Baals, and other things like them. Then they turned to repairing the house of the LORD. There they "found a book of the law of the LORD given by Moses," and Shaphan read it before the king. With godly fear and a broken spirit, the king and others set out to act on it.

The king was right to feel that the LORD must be worshipped in clean surroundings… In Josiah's day the land was full of detestable things. There were the idols themselves, and also the filthy practices that always go with idolatry. It seems this took eight years of energetic work to clear away.

Today we are not called to be image-breakers. It is not our duty to go round with axes and hammers and destroy images and other things which we know to be hateful to God. The Lord Jesus will deal with all this when He shows Himself from heaven in Kingdom-power and majesty. Our present duty has two parts. First, to get our own souls right by testing all our ways and associations by the written Word. Second, to use our influence to help others return to the "old paths."

For, you notice, he goes beyond his own sphere. He goes out into "the cities of Manasseh and Ephraim and Simeon, even to Naphtali."

When he reached the age of twenty, Josiah became very active in his zeal for the God of Israel. He started at his very doors. He "began to purge Judah and Jerusalem" of everything connected with idolatry. Then he carried the same cleansing work into "the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon, and as far as Naphtali," cutting down the idols throughout the land of Israel (verses 3-7). God gave the young king wisdom to see that every trace of idolatry had to go — not from his own kingdom only, but from the whole inheritance of God, which the kings of Israel had defiled.

Both kings are known for zeal, but they showed it in different ways. Hezekiah sends to Ephraim and to Manasseh and to others to come and keep the Passover. Josiah sends to destroy all the visible traces of idolatry, both in Judah and in the cities of Manasseh. That is the land of the tribe of Manasseh, for by that time the Assyrian had carried Israel away into captivity. Why should Josiah interfere with people who are strangers to Israel? It was enough for Josiah to know that these strangers were living in God's land, and the land must be purged.

The kings of Assyria removed large numbers of the ten tribes from the land. They replaced them with settlers from Babylon and other provinces, who brought their pagan gods with them. 2 Kings 17 describes this sorry mixture. From that time the land held a strange blend of Israelites and Gentiles, and of paganism and Judaism. It was the land the Lord loved, and the land where His beloved Son will yet reign in glory. What confusion as the result of disobedience to God!

He was no exception to the general rule. All the pious kings of Judah had regard to the unity of the nation of Israel. They never let their thoughts, their sympathies, or their work shrink to anything narrower than "our twelve tribes." The twelve loaves on the pure table were always before the eye of God and always before the eye of faith. This was no mere theory, no dead letter. In every case it was a great practical, influential truth. "Josiah took away all the abominations from all the territory that belonged to the people of Israel."

The earnest young king swept through the land from the territory of Simeon in the south to the territory of Naphtali in the north (2 Chron. 34:6). He smashed up and burned everything that he knew was detestable in the sight of the Holy One of Israel. It was the book of the law, and nothing else, that shaped his movements. The Spirit's report of what he did shows no false motives. With Jehu, as we have seen, it was otherwise. He did a useful work, but his motives were not pure.

He did not stop with cleansing Judah and Jerusalem. He did the same in the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon and Naphtali, for those tribes had been so reduced that they had no king (v. 5). He broke down the altars and images and ground them almost to powder. He cut down all the incense altars throughout the land. Then he returned to Jerusalem (vv. 6-7), which means "the foundation of peace." All this took place before Josiah even knew of God's law. He had not needed the law to tell him that idolatry was sin against God. Why not? The practice of idolatry is sin against God as Creator, as everyone should know, and not only sin against His law.

Up to now the work had been destroying idols and cleansing away everything connected with idolatry. Now he had time to repair the damage done to the house of God. It was not enough to destroy what was false. The worship of the Lord had to begin again, and for that His house had to be restored. What pleasure it must have given the Lord to see this son of David's zeal for His house. That zeal is a faint foreshadowing of Him who could say, "Zeal for your house will consume me."

The king rightly felt that the Lord must be worshipped in pure surroundings… In Josiah's day the land was full of detestable things. There were the idols themselves, and also the filthy practices that always go with idolatry. Clearing all this away seems to have taken eight years of energetic action. Josiah would not smooth over any evil if he could prevent it. But he could not look into the hearts of the people, where in many cases the evils were still loved. Josiah's order of work is instructive. First he purged the land and the temple. Next he "repaired the house of the Lord his God." Then he felt ready to call the people together to keep the feast.

A new phase in Josiah's life: the eighteenth year. After six years of cleaning up, his interest turned to the house of the Lord (separation comes before worship)… Had Josiah's interest not turned to the house of the Lord, the events that followed would never have happened.

The first thing we are told about him here is this: he began by taking care of the Lord's house. He repaired its breaches, counting on the faithfulness of the men charged with the work. This is one of the distinctive signs of a revival in the last times. God's house takes on an entirely new importance to believers, and its ruined state draws out their concern… The task is not to build the ruined temple all over again. It is to repair its breaches, to bring the necessary material faithfully, and to add to this building cedar wood and hewn stone that please God, who had built the house.

In this great work of recovery the king had the governor of the city and the recorder with him. They in turn brought the people in. "Manasseh and Ephraim, and all the remnant of Israel" joined with "all Judah and Benjamin" in providing the means for repairing God's house. How good it is today, as it was then, when all God's people care about the house of God and have the privilege of contributing to it.

The work was varied, yet they did it in unity. They needed scribes to keep things in order, and gatekeepers to see that only what ought to be in was let in.

…Had Josiah's interest not turned to the house of the Lord, the events that followed would never have happened.

There is amazing vigour in this young king… And God shows him a remarkable mercy. It was there that Hilkiah the priest found the book of the law of the Lord given to Moses… The king hears of it. His conscience is the remarkable thing about this good king: when he hears the words of the Lord, he tears his clothes. Had he not been godly? Had he not been faithful? Yes — but he forgot what lay behind and pressed on toward what lay ahead. He did not think of the good he had done, but of the evil that, sadly, was still around him, and of the good he had not yet done.

Until now the work had been destroying idols and cleansing away everything connected with idolatry. But now he had time to repair the damage done to the house of God. It was not enough to destroy what was false. The worship of Jehovah had to be set up again, and for that His house had to be restored.

Levites were sent throughout the land to collect the money needed for this work... They gave it to the craftsmen and builders, to buy hewn stone, and timber for joists, and to floor the houses which the kings of Judah had destroyed. And the men did the work faithfully. Manasseh had been restored himself, but he did not have the energy — or perhaps the influence — to do this work. Everything must have been in a ruined state when the young Josiah began his work of restoration.

This was clearly a large project. The godless kings before Josiah were guilty of destroying a great deal of what was not their own property, but God's.

Nothing could be more striking than this passage about what happened one hundred years after Israel was deported... There is no mistaking this verse. It refers to Manasseh, Ephraim, all the remnant of Israel, and all Judah and Benjamin. It shows that the twelve tribes had largely blended together, though the ten tribes were no doubt still distinct from the two.

In this great work of recovery the king had the governor of the city and the recorder with him. They in turn brought the people in. "Manasseh and Ephraim, and all the remnant of Israel" joined with "all Judah and Benjamin" in providing the means to repair God's house. How good it is today, as it was then, when all the people of God care about the house of God and have the privilege of giving to it.

They were not required to give any account of how the money was spent, because they were trusted to deal faithfully. This is a lovely mark of a true revival among the people of God. It was not a revival planned by men, though it did begin with the godly exercise of the young king, whose faith proved an effective example to others.

The question will arise: "Is this how God wants things done all the time? Should the example of these people of long ago be the pattern for us to follow today?" The answer is "No." The times of Joash and of Josiah were exceptional. In each reign a great spiritual revival was going on... Hearts and consciences were exercised about His holy will. So precautions against fraud were hardly necessary.

Hilkiah the priest "found" the book. How long had it been lost (since the early days of Manasseh?)? The interest in the house of God led to the discovery of the book. Mere cleansing would never have achieved this.

Cleansing the land and the house had taken some years. Now, in "the eighteenth year of his reign," at the age of twenty-six, good king Josiah's zeal for Jehovah was as strong as ever. Up to now the work had been destroying idols and clearing away everything connected with idolatry. Now he had time to repair the damage done to the house of God. It was not enough to destroy what was false. The worship of Jehovah had to be re-established, and for that His house had to be restored.

Those who oversaw the materials needed for the house of God used this money to hire workmen to repair the house. They also used it for craftsmen and builders, to buy cut stone and timber for beams and for the floor of the house (v. 10). This was clearly a large project, because the ungodly kings before Josiah had destroyed a great deal of what was not their own property, but God's.

In this great work of recovery the king had with him the governor of the city and the recorder. They in turn brought the people in. "Manasseh and Ephraim, and all the remnant of Israel" joined with "all Judah and Benjamin" in providing the means for repairing God's house. How good it is today, as it was then, when all God's people care about the house of God and have the privilege of contributing to it. Few have the great devotion of the poor widow of Mark 12:41-44, who gave her all to support God's house. But we can all help to maintain God's testimony in His house in some small way.

The workers were not required to give any account of how the money was spent, because they were relied on to deal faithfully. This is a lovely mark of a true revival among the people of God.

The question will arise: "Should the example of these people long ago be the pattern for us to follow today?" The answer is "No." The times of Joash and of Josiah were exceptional. In each reign a great spiritual revival was going on. After many years of serious wrongdoing the people — or at least a remnant of them — were turning back to their God. Their hearts and consciences were stirred by His holy will. So there was little need for safeguards against fraud.

Many did the actual work, and some had the oversight. They were marked by working "faithfully" at what they were given to do. Levites, scribes, officers and gatekeepers all had their part to play. The overseers are named, and there is mention too of those skilled with musical instruments (verses 10-13). If there was faithfulness, there was also happiness in the work of the Lord.

The first thing we are told of him here is that he began by taking care of the Lord's house. He repaired its damaged places, counting on the faithfulness of those charged with the work. This is one of the distinctive signs of a revival in the last times. God's house takes on an entirely new importance to believers, and its ruined state draws out their concern... This is in no way a matter of rebuilding the ruined temple from scratch. It is a matter of repairing its damaged places and faithfully bringing the material needed.

Clearly this was a large project, for the ungodly kings before Josiah were guilty of destroying a great deal of what was not their own property, but God's.

Manasseh himself had been restored, but he did not have the energy — or perhaps the influence — to do this work. Everything must have been in a ruined state when the young Josiah began his work of restoration.

Up to now the work had been destroying idols and cleansing away everything connected with idolatry. Now he had time to repair the damage done to the house of God. It was not enough to destroy what was false. The worship of Jehovah had to be set up again, and for that His house had to be restored. What pleasure there must have been for the Lord to see this son of David's zeal for His house! It was a faint foreshadowing of Him who could say, "Zeal for your house will consume me."

This is in no way a matter of rebuilding the ruined temple from scratch. It is a matter of repairing its broken places, of faithfully bringing the material needed, of adding cedar wood and hewn stone that please God, who had built the house. In the same way, in this time of the end, the Christian who knows his calling will not add wood, hay, and stubble to the house. He will bring what suits the house of God — living stones, cut out by the Holy Spirit in the quarry of the world, shaped by the Master.

But no one required them to give any accounting of the way the money was spent, because they were trusted to deal faithfully. This is a lovely characteristic of a true revival among the people of God.

Is this how God would have things done all the time? Should the example of these people of long ago be the pattern for us to follow today? The answer is "No." The times of Joash and of Josiah were exceptional. In each reign a great spiritual revival was going on. After many years of serious wrongdoing the people, or at least a remnant of them, were turning back to their God. Hearts and consciences were exercised about His holy will. Because of this, safeguards against fraud were hardly necessary.

The Temple was in a terrible state when Josiah moved to refit it for divine worship. Willing hands and devoted hearts quickly put things right. From 2 Chronicles 34:8-13 we gather that the carpenters and masons and their overseers got on well together.

If Josiah had not cared about restoring the temple, the book of the law, which was kept there (2 Chr. 34:15), would not have come to light again. This is the special character of Josiah's revival… The Holy Scriptures had been neglected and as good as forgotten during the reigns before his. In this revival they suddenly take their place of importance again.

We are impressed with the Holy Spirit's record that in Josiah's day the men were so conscientious that no account was kept of the money spent, and the amount must have been considerable. The word "faithfully" is used in two ways: (1) "the men did the work faithfully" (2 Chron. 34:12); and (2) "no accounting was asked from them for the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully" (2 Kings 22:7). Such men are worth imitating. Theirs was no mere "eye-service as people-pleasers"; they worked "with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord" (Col. 3:22).

Josiah's influence was good, for the men did the work faithfully (v. 12). The names of those who supervised the work are recorded in verse 12. So God highly commends those who are true builders, and surely no less today if we care about building up the saints of God, and so build the assembly.

There were many who did the actual work, and some had the oversight. They were marked by working "faithfully" in what was given them to do. If there was faithfulness, there was also happiness in the work of the Lord. The musicians brought out the praises of those engaged in this blessed service for the God of Israel.

Levites are mentioned here as skilled with musical instruments. This is a symbol of skill in ministering the Word of God, for the refreshment and encouragement of the saints. They may have played their instruments while the men were working. That pictures servants willing to help those serving in practical matters, by ministering the Word of God to them.

There were overseers set over the burden bearers too. How good for us if we are burden bearers. But we need instruction on how to do such good work. Also some of the Levites were scribes, officers and gatekeepers (v. 13). Though there was diversity in the work, it was done in unity. Scribes were needed to keep things orderly; gatekeepers made sure that only what belonged inside was let in.

The repairing of the Temple was carried through very quickly… The Passover was a spring feast, fixed to the first month. In Hezekiah's day it had to be put off by a month, because neither the temple nor the people were ready (2 Chron. 30:13-15). But Josiah and his people "kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month" (2 Chron. 35:1), according to the original divine order (Ex. 12:18). This proves that the workmen put their hearts into the work of getting the house ready for the Lord their God. It is written in Eccles. 9:10, "Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with your might." In Col. 3:23, even slaves are told, "Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men."

There were overseers set over the burden bearers also. How good for us if we are burden bearers. But we need instruction as to how to do such good work. Also some of the Levites were scribes, officers and gatekeepers (v. 13). The work was varied, yet they did it in unity. Scribes were needed to keep things in order. Gatekeepers were needed to see that only what ought to be inside was let in. The Church of God needs all of this today, though there are no such official posts now, and no one is to take any special place for this.

The condition of the Temple was deplorable when Josiah moved to refit it for worship. The kings before him despised everything that was of God, and they had done great damage to the sacred building. But willing hands and devoted hearts soon put things right, as we have seen. We gather from 2 Chron. 34:8-13 that the carpenters and masons and their overseers got on well together. These verses make pleasant reading. They remind us how happily Boaz and his harvest-men worked together (Ruth 2:4). What lessons these records contain for all who would please God in these turbulent days!

The Holy Spirit's record impresses us. In Josiah's day the men were so conscientious that no one kept account of the money spent, and the amount must have been large. The record uses the word "faithfully" in two ways: (1) "the men did the work faithfully" (2 Chron. 34:12); and (2) "there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully" (2 Kings 22:7). Such men are worthy of imitation. Theirs was no mere "eye-service as men pleasers"; they worked "in singleness of heart fearing God" (Col. 3:22).

The doorkeepers had charge of all the gates of the temple. They had to be able to drive back any move against the house of God. They had to watch with constant energy, so that no defiled person entered the courts of the Lord. But they also had to keep the doors open, so that no priest who had the right to enter the temple was kept out.

Such work may not be appreciated by many, but we must not ignore it on this account. We always need discernment as to what should be allowed in and what must be refused entry. If the enemy once gets in, even in a small way, he will use that to gain more ground and corrupt the Christian testimony.

Many did the actual work, and some had the oversight. All of them were marked by working "faithfully" at what was given them to do. Levites, scribes, officers and gatekeepers all had their part to play. The overseers are named, and there is mention too of those who were skilled with musical instruments (verses 10-13). If there was faithfulness, there was also happiness in the work of the Lord. The musicians brought out the praises of those who were engaged in this blessed service for the God of Israel.

However, in the course of doing the repair work, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord, given by Moses. How sad that no one gave the book a place of honour! Instead it lay hidden away in the house of God! (v. 14). That book said that whoever ruled as king over Israel should write out a copy of this law and read it all the days of his life (Deut. 17:18-19). But by the time Josiah took the throne, he did not even know that this book existed! Who was to blame for this? No doubt both earlier kings and priests.

How sorry a reflection on the earlier condition in Judah — the Word of God had been lost! Now it was recovered!

When Moses had finished the first five books of the Bible, he directed that they be put at the side of the ark (Deut. 31:24, 26). Was this the very copy that Hilkiah the high priest found seven hundred and fifty years later, among the rubbish in the temple (2 Kings 22:8)? Or was it a copy made from the original by one of the early kings (Deut. 17:18)? We believe it was the very copy of the law written by the hand of Moses (2 Chron. 34:14).

Josiah's zeal for the house of God brought a result at once, and a most important one. If he had not had the restoration of the temple at heart, the book of the law, which was kept there (2 Chr. 34:15), would not have come to light again. This is the special character of Josiah's revival... Under Josiah we find what amounts to a completely new revelation of the written Word.

The interest in the house of God led to the discovery of the book. Mere cleansing would never have achieved this.

Josiah had no doubt at all that the words Shaphan read aloud to him were genuine and authentic. We do not read of his asking, "How am I to know that this is the Word of God?" No; he trembled at it. He bowed before it. It struck him down. He tore his garments. He did not presume to sit in judgement on the Word of God, but, as was right and fitting, he allowed the Word to judge him.

It is one thing to judge our surroundings by the Word, and it is quite another thing to judge ourselves. Now Josiah began with himself. Before he called on others to listen to the weighty words of the law, he tore his own clothes. That was true self-judgment under their searching power.

If a revival is genuine, it will show itself in the discovery of the Scriptures (Josiah, Daniel, Ezra, Nehemiah, and others). It is not that people could not have known the Scriptures before; neglect had made them forget.

God had commanded in Deuteronomy 17:18-19 that the king of Israel was to write out a copy of the law for himself and learn it well. Yet Josiah did not even know that such a book existed. No doubt Manasseh and Amon had ignored God's Word completely. So when Hilkiah the high priest found the book of the law in the house of God, it was a total surprise to him and to Josiah. The high priest should have known the law, but it took Josiah's faith to wake him up.

This zeal for the house of God has an immediate and most important result… If Josiah had not had the restoration of the temple at heart, the book of the law, kept there (2 Chr. 34:15), would not have come to light again. This is the special character of Josiah's revival… In this revival the Holy Scriptures take their place of importance again. The earlier reigns had neglected and forgotten them.

The interest in the house of God led to the discovery of the book. Mere cleansing would never have achieved this.

We are told that the book read before the king predicted the destruction of Jerusalem, above all because of idolatry… Deuteronomy 28 predicted the sorrows the people would suffer for their sins. But Leviticus 26:31-32 states plainly what Deuteronomy 28:52 only hints at — the destruction of their cities and of their sanctuaries, and that above all because of their idol worship. Huldah's answer makes it plain that the book found was not only Deuteronomy, a work which some ask us to believe was written about that time. It contained more than we have in that last of the five books of Moses.

Shaphan did wisely, for a Bible unread is useless to anybody. Shaphan's son became a leader in idolatry (Ezek. 8:11). Clearly the Word of God had no power over him.

Here, then, we have the great fact in the life of this most interesting man — the discovery or recovery of the book of the law. It let the full light of God's revelation in, first upon Josiah's conscience, and second, upon the whole condition of things around him. It is a very serious thing for anyone — man, woman or child — to stand in the searching light of God's Word. That Word judges everything… Now Josiah began with himself. He did not first call others to listen to the weighty words of the law. He tore his own clothes, in true self-judgment beneath their searching power.

Notice that the remarkable growth of the revival came after the word of the Lord was found, read, received and acted on… So it is safe to say that no revival of lasting benefit can happen unless the Word of God controls it. In evangelical circles there is often much stir. Yet the Scriptures do not receive their rightful place as the Word of God, which is living and dynamic.

The Holy Spirit's record impresses us. In Josiah's day the men were so conscientious that no one kept an account of the money spent. The amount must have been large. The word "faithfully" is used in two ways: "the men did the work faithfully" (2 Chron. 34:12); and "no accounting shall be asked from them for the money that is delivered into their hand, for they deal honestly" (2 Kings 22:7). Such men are worth imitating. Theirs was no mere "eye-service as people-pleasers"; they worked "in singleness of heart, fearing God" (Col. 3:22).

The times of Joash and of Josiah were exceptional. In each reign a great spiritual revival was in progress. After many years of serious wrongdoing the people — or at least a remnant of them — were turning back to their God. Their hearts and consciences were awake to His holy will. In that setting, there was little need for precautions against fraud.

This zeal for the house of God has an immediate and most important result. Hilkiah the high priest tells Shaphan the secretary that he has found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD. If Josiah had not had the restoration of the temple at heart, the book of the law, which was kept there (2 Chr. 34:15), would not have come to light again. This is the special character of Josiah's revival. Under Josiah we find what amounts to a whole new revelation of the written Word — here, the books of Moses. The earlier reigns had neglected the Holy Scriptures and as good as forgotten them. In this revival they suddenly take their place of importance again.

Hilkiah the priest "found" the book. How long had it been lost? The interest in the house of God led to the discovery of the book. Mere cleansing would never have achieved this.

He says nothing of the newly found treasure as yet. It may not have been a treasure in his eyes, perhaps. Like many today, he was more taken up with "workmen" and "money" than with God's book. God has "magnified" that book — not just above all Christian work or missionary enterprise, though these have their place, but "above all His name." Shaphan did not despise the book, but he had not yet realised the importance of that blessed volume. Then — after "money," and "overseers," and "workmen" have all been mentioned — "then Shaphan the secretary told the king, 'Hilkiah the priest has given me a book'" — only a book!

Here is the great fact in the life of this most interesting man: the discovery, or recovery, of the book of the law. It let the full light of divine revelation in — first on Josiah's conscience, and then on the whole condition of things around him. It is a very serious thing for anyone — man, woman or child — to stand in the searching light of God's Word. That Word judges everything. It makes no terms with the flesh or the world.

Cleansing the land and the house had taken some years. In "the eighteenth year of his reign," at the age of twenty-six, good king Josiah was as zealous for the Lord as ever. Until now the work had been destroying idols and cleansing away everything connected with idolatry. Now he had time to repair the damage done to the house of God. It was not enough to destroy what was false. The worship of the Lord had to be set up again, and for that His house must be restored.

The men in charge of the materials for the house of God used this money to hire workmen to repair the house. They also paid craftsmen and builders, and bought cut stone and timber for the beams and the floor. This was clearly a large project. The godless kings before Josiah had destroyed a great deal of what was not their own property, but God's.

The priests were using for themselves the gifts they received from their acquaintances. They did have the right to live from the things offered at the altar. But their own interests came first in their hearts, ahead of the interests of the Lord and of His house. Their conduct showed it. They lived off their gifts, and the house of God kept its broken walls.

In this great work of recovery the king had with him the governor of the city and the recorder. They in turn brought the people in. "Manasseh and Ephraim, and all the remnant of Israel" joined with "all Judah and Benjamin" in providing the means for repairing God's house. How good it is in this day, as in that day, when all the people of God care about the house of God and have the privilege of contributing to it.

The Holy Spirit's record impresses us. In Josiah's day the men were so conscientious that no one kept an account of the money they spent, and the amount must have been large. The word "faithfully" is used in two ways: "the men did the work faithfully" (2 Chron. 34:12), and "there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully" (2 Kings 22:7). Such men are worth copying. They gave no mere "eye-service as men-pleasers"; they worked "in singleness of heart fearing God" (Colossians 3:22).

We gather from 2 Chronicles 34:8-13 that the relations between the carpenters and masons and their overseers were warm and harmonious. These verses make pleasant reading.

We come back to the statement that there was no reckoning with the men who handled the money "because they dealt faithfully." A question naturally arises. Is this how God would have things done all the time? Should the example of these people of long ago be the pattern for us to follow today? The answer is "No." The times of Joash and of Josiah were exceptional. In each reign a great spiritual revival was going on. People's hearts and consciences were engaged with His holy will. Because of that, precautions against fraud were hardly necessary.

We conclude, then, that God wants His people to keep clear accounts, on their own and together. … Let us remind ourselves once more that Josiah's workers "dealt faithfully" — both in their work and in their handling of the people's money. The Holy Spirit says in 1 Corinthians 4:2, "it is required in stewards that a man be found faithful."

How sad that no one gave the book a place of honor! Instead it lay hidden in the house of God. That book said that whoever ruled as king over Israel should write out a copy of this law for himself and read it all the days of his life (Deut. 17:18-19). But by the time Josiah took the throne, he did not even know that this book existed! Who was to blame for this? No doubt both earlier kings and priests.

If Josiah had not cared about restoring the temple, the book of the law, which was kept there (2 Chr. 34:15), would never have come to light again... In this revival the Holy Scriptures — neglected and all but forgotten during the reigns before him — suddenly take their place of importance again.

Here we have a tender conscience bowing under the action of the Word of God... Josiah had no doubt at all that the words Shaphan read in his hearing were genuine and authentic. We do not read of him asking, "How am I to know that this is the Word of God?" No; he trembled at it; he bowed before it; he was struck down under it; he tore his clothes. He did not dare to sit in judgment on the Word of God. Instead, as was right and proper, he let the Word judge him.

Scripture is the Word of God, and it judges man thoroughly. It lays bare the very roots of his nature — it opens up the foundations of his moral being. It holds up before him the only faithful mirror in which he can see himself perfectly reflected. This is the reason why man does not like Scripture — cannot bear it — seeks to set it aside.

It is one thing to judge our surroundings by the Word, and it is quite another thing to judge ourselves. Now Josiah began with himself. Before he ever called others to listen to the weighty words of the law, he tore his own clothes, in true self-judgment under their searching power.

In a spirit of deep self-judgment he tore his clothes. Then he ordered five men, including Hilkiah and Shaphan, to go and ask the Lord for him and for the small number left in Israel and Judah. He saw that Israel lay under the great wrath of God, because their fathers had not kept the Word of the Lord. He did not try to explain it away. He faced the truth declared in Scripture, and wanted to know just how God was now going to deal with his nation.

"Because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words... and humbled yourself before Me and tore your clothes and wept before Me, I also have heard you, says the Lord" (2 Chron. 34:26-27). The heart of man is naturally hard in relation to God... In contrast, Josiah's heart was open and responsive — surely a gracious work of the Holy Spirit of God.

No wonder Josiah tore his clothes when he read what lay in store for Israel if they abandoned their God and turned to idols. Yet what a contrast between Josiah's response and that of his son Jehoiakim. When Jehoiakim heard the words written in Jeremiah's scroll, he cut it up with his penknife and threw it into the fire (Jer. 36:23).

Here we have a tender conscience bowing under the action of the Word of God. This was one special charm in the character of Josiah. He was, in truth, a man of a humble and contrite spirit, who trembled at the Word of God... Josiah never doubted that the words Shaphan had read in his hearing were genuine. We do not read of his asking, "How am I to know that this is the Word of God?" No. He trembled at it; he bowed before it; it struck him down; he tore his clothes. He did not dare to judge the Word of God, but, as was right, he allowed the Word to judge him.

If man is to judge Scripture, then Scripture is not the Word of God at all; but if Scripture is in very truth the Word of God, then it must judge man... It lays bare the very roots of his nature — it opens up the foundations of his moral being. It holds up before him the only faithful mirror in which he can see himself perfectly reflected. This is the reason why man does not like Scripture — cannot bear it — seeks to set it aside.

In a spirit of deep self-judgment he tore his clothes. Then he commanded five men, including Hilkiah and Shaphan, to go and inquire of the Lord for him and for the small number left in Israel and Judah. For he recognised that Israel was under the great wrath of God because their fathers had not kept the Word of the Lord (vv. 20-21). He did not try to explain it away. He faced the truth declared in Scripture head-on. He wanted to know just how God was now going to deal with his nation.

The king hears of it. As I have said, his conscience is the remarkable part of this good king. When he hears the words of the Lord, he tears his clothes. Had he not been pious? Had he not been faithful? Yes, but he forgot the things that were behind, and he pressed toward those that were before. He did not think of the good that he had done. He thought of the evil that, sadly, was still around him, and of the good that he had not done and that still lay before him.

And now who will interpret this Word for us? How are we to "inquire of the Lord" about what we are to do, knowing that according to this Word we have brought His displeasure on ourselves? The prophet alone, the representative of the Spirit of Christ (1 Peter 1:11), can interpret it for us. Josiah does not turn to Shaphan the scribe for this, or even to Hilkiah the high priest; he seeks direct relationship with the Word.

To the natural eye it might seem very humiliating for a king of Judah to turn to a woman for counsel. But that woman held the mind of God. This was quite enough for a humble and contrite spirit like Josiah's. He had proved so far that his one great desire was to know and do the will of God. So it did not matter what channel the voice of God came through — he was ready to hear and obey.

Well might Josiah tear his clothes on reading what lay in store for Israel for forsaking their God and turning to idols. Yet how great the contrast between the attitude of Josiah and that of his son Jehoiakim. When Jehoiakim heard the words written in Jeremiah's scroll, he cut it with his penknife and threw it into the fire (Jer. 36:23).

The Word of God pierced him through and through... What a striking contrast! Josiah had a contrite heart, a conscience awake before God, and torn clothes, and he bowed under the mighty working of the Word of God. Our modern sceptics and unbelievers dare, with shocking boldness, to sit in judgement on that very same Word.

In a spirit of deep self-judgment he tore his clothes. Then he commanded five men, including Hilkiah and Shaphan, to go and enquire of the Lord for him and for the small number left in Israel and Judah. He recognised that Israel was under the great wrath of God, because their fathers had not kept the Word of the Lord. He did not try to explain it away. He faced the truth stated in Scripture head-on, and he wanted to know how God would now deal with his nation.

The king hears of it. As I have said, his conscience is the remarkable thing about this good king. When he hears the words of the Lord, he tears his clothes. Had he not been pious? Had he not been faithful? Yes, but he forgot the things that were behind, and he pressed toward those that were before. He did not think of the good he had done. He thought of the evil that, sadly, was still around him, and of the good he had not done that still lay ahead of him.

Notice he enquired not only for himself, but for the people and for all Judah. He recognised what people often overlook: God's word applies to everyone. He also saw that all God has written is of equal importance in its place, and is to be obeyed just as much... There is no part we can leave out, no command we may disobey, no truth we may treat as unimportant.

The king's messengers knew who had the mind of God. They went to Huldah the prophetess, and she said to them, "Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel." How good it was that the Lord had His servant who could speak His word to the devout king! In the same way, He had His interpreter ready for the Ethiopian official who wanted to know who the prophet Isaiah was speaking about. Now the word of God is complete, and the Spirit of God is with us and in us. So we can come to Him at any time to know His mind and will for every situation in life.

Scripture may be neglected, but it cannot be broken. The Lord answers Josiah that he himself, because his tender heart trembled at the word, will go to his fathers in peace and will not see the evil. But the curses read out of the book will surely take hold.

Here, too, we are struck that a woman filled the prophetic office. It tells a tale. Things were low. But the grace of God was unfailing and abundant. Josiah was so completely broken down that he was ready to receive the message of the mind of God through whatever channel it reached him.

Only the prophet, who represents the Spirit of Christ (1 Peter 1:11), can interpret this Word for us. Josiah does not turn to Shaphan the scribe for this, or even to Hilkiah the high priest. He wants to be brought into direct contact with the Word. In Josiah's time — days of revival but of deep weakness — we find a prophetess at Jerusalem. It was not that Judah had no prophets (2 Kings 23:2). But work entrusted to a woman is a mark of decline, just as it was with Deborah in the book of Judges. Like Deborah, Huldah, this servant of Jehovah, does not try to take up a public ministry, as the false prophetesses of our own day do. She uses her gift in the place appointed for her.

The leader of the delegation was Hilkiah the High Priest! The religious head of the nation, sent by the king to a woman for advice! Why was this?... "For the lips of a priest should guard knowledge, and people should seek instruction from his mouth, for he is the messenger of the LORD of hosts" (Mal. 2:7). Here the high privileges and the spiritual standing of the priesthood stand out... Yet Josiah sent the High Priest with others to learn the mind of God from a prophetess!

But God never rebuilds an order of things that has failed in the hands of men. In His great grace He goes on to something better. Everything in which man has proved so incapable will be seen in perfection in Christ, on the day He is revealed.

Why they did not ask Jeremiah, or Zephaniah (who lived at the same time as Josiah, Jer. 1:3; Zeph. 1:1), is uncertain. Anathoth, Jeremiah's birthplace, was only three miles from Jerusalem, and so within easy reach. But both prophets may have been too young at the time for the nation to consult them.

Why Jehovah chose to speak through Huldah to the King and to the High Priest, He alone knows. Jeremiah was already in His service, for he began his prophetic ministry in the thirteenth year of Josiah's reign (Jer. 1:2), and the book of the law was not found until five years later. Yet Jehovah spoke through Huldah on that occasion.

The Hebrew word means 'second part,' as the margin shows at 2 Kings 22:14 and 2 Chr. 34:22. It may refer to a part of the city where there was a school. The Rabbis trace it to a word meaning 'to teach,' so 'the school' of the prophets.

Huldah is the instrument to make known the Lord's mind. Her message has two parts. The first opens with 'tell the man'. It says the judgement will come and nothing can turn it aside now. The second speaks to 'the king of Judah'. It reassures Josiah that God had accepted his humiliation and would not bring the judgement in Josiah's day.

We can be sure that here lies the true secret of divine guidance. "He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble His way" (Ps. 25:9). If there were more of this blessed spirit of meekness among us, there would be less confusion, less controversy, and less arguing about words that does no good.

We are struck that a woman filled the prophetic office. It surely tells a tale. Things were low. But the grace of God was unfailing and abundant, and Josiah was so completely broken down that he was ready to receive the mind of God through whatever channel it might reach him. It might seem very humiliating, to nature's view, for a king of Judah to turn to a woman for counsel. But that woman held the mind of God, and for a humble and contrite spirit like Josiah's that was quite enough.

Still, we must never lose sight of the sovereignty of God. He works as He pleases, and gives no account of His matters. This is especially true when everything is in confusion among His people. Why the Lord chose to speak through Huldah to the king, and to the high priest, is known to Himself alone. Jeremiah was already in His service, for he began his prophetic ministry in the thirteenth year of Josiah's reign (Jer. 1:2), and the book of the law was not found until five years later. Yet the Lord spoke through Huldah on the occasion we are dealing with, and not through Jeremiah!

She gave them God's answer faithfully: He would bring calamity upon Israel, all the curses written in the book Josiah had heard read. God gives the reason plainly: "because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. Therefore My wrath will be poured out on this place, and not be quenched" (vv. 24-25). Not even the exceptional faithfulness of Josiah could avert this judgment.

All this was only the solemn repeating and confirming of what the king of Judah had already heard with an open and attentive ear. But it came with fresh force, emphasis, and interest, as a direct personal message to himself. It came enforced and heightened by that earnest sentence, "Tell the man who sent you to me."

Huldah is the instrument to make known the Lord's mind (exercising this gift in the sphere given to her). Her message has two parts. The first part opens with "tell the man." It states that the judgement will come and cannot be averted any more. The second part speaks to "the king of Judah." It reassures Josiah that God had accepted his humiliation and would not bring the judgement in Josiah's day.

The king's messengers knew who had the mind of God. They went to Huldah the prophetess, who said to them, "Thus says the Lord God of Israel" (2 Chr. 34:23). How good it was that the Lord had His servant to speak His word to the devout king! In the same way He had His interpreter ready for the Ethiopian eunuch, who wanted to know who the prophet Isaiah was speaking about (Acts 8:27-35). The word of God is now complete, and the Spirit of God is with us and in us. So we can come to Him at all times to know His mind and will for every occasion and circumstance of life.

It strikes us here, too, that a woman held the prophetic office. It surely tells a tale. Things were low. But the grace of God was unfailing and abundant, and Josiah was so broken down that he was ready to receive God's mind through whatever channel it reached him. This was morally lovely. To nature's view it might seem very humiliating for a king of Judah to turn to a woman for counsel. But that woman held the mind of God, and that was quite enough for a humble and contrite spirit like Josiah's.

It was, no doubt, the Pentateuch, the five books of Moses — either the original, as written by Moses, or the temple copy (Deut. 31:26), used in days gone by at the coronation of their kings (see Deut. 17:18; 2 Chron. 23:11). No one knows how long it had been lost; probably since the beginning of Manasseh's reign at least.

Scripture may be neglected, but it cannot be broken. The Lord answers Josiah that the curses read out of the book will certainly take hold. Josiah himself has a tender heart and trembles at the word, so he will go to his fathers in peace and will not see the evil.

My readers may have noticed something in Scripture. Every time God showed His displeasure with Israel, down to the point we have traced in their history, the main cause was idolatry... Israel was meant to be a standing witness against idolatry, and a witness to the unity of the true God — Jehovah — who had chosen to call them His people and to call Himself their God. When they became hardened idolaters themselves, what was left but that God should give them up to judgment and desolation, as He did?

She faithfully gave them God's answer: He would bring calamity upon Israel, all the curses written in the book Josiah had heard read. The reason is plain: "because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. Therefore My wrath will be poured out on this place, and not be quenched" (vv. 24-25). Not even the exceptional faithfulness of Josiah could avert this judgment.

The king's power had brought about a great reformation, but it left the hearts of the people mostly untouched... But why could not God rest in the outwardly improved state of the kingdom of Judah in Josiah's day? He looked beneath the surface. He looked for reality, for tenderness of conscience, for a heart subject to His word; and He found none. "The kindness of your youth, the love of your engagement," were missing. Nothing less than thoroughness will ever satisfy God.

What a striking contrast! Josiah had a contrite heart, an awakened conscience, and torn garments, and he bowed down under the mighty working of the Word of God. Our modern skeptics and unbelievers do the opposite: with shocking boldness they dare to sit in judgement on that very same Word. Oh that men would be wise in time, and bow their hearts and consciences in reverent submission to the Word of the living God.

She faithfully gave the men God's answer. He would bring disaster on Israel — all the curses written in the book Josiah had heard read. God gives the reason plainly... Not even Josiah's exceptional faithfulness could turn this judgment aside.

"The works of their hands"... is a phrase used only of pagan idolatry (Isaiah 2:8; Jeremiah 1:16; Deuteronomy 4:28; Psalm 115:4-7).

The root of all idolatry is self-will; it is making a god of our own. It starts with self and fashions a god, not necessarily out of silver, and not necessarily with our hands... there is a tool more cunning and skilful than the hands, and that is the intellect of man. Wherever self takes the place of the will of God, you will find the human mind busy making a god to please itself. And it does this in the name of the Lord, in the name of the true God.

The first part of the message spoke of the ruin coming on the nation. Its cup of sin had been filling up for centuries. Manasseh's defiance of the Lord's Word, and his excessive evil, had made the cup overflow... So it was persistent and hopeless evil.

Hezekiah had it in his heart to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel, so that His fierce anger might turn away. But the sentence was already decreed. Neither Hezekiah's piety nor Josiah's could turn aside the judgement about to fall on Judah and Jerusalem. The most they gained was a delay.

The first part begins with "tell the man." It states that the judgement will come and cannot be turned aside any more. The second part speaks to "the king of Judah." It reassures Josiah that God had accepted his humbling of himself, and would not bring the judgement in Josiah's day.

Josiah might have thought the case hopeless. He might have said that nothing could turn back the tide of wrath and judgement about to roll over Jerusalem and the land. He might have said that any move of his must prove useless, that the purpose was settled and the decree gone out, and that he had only to stand by and let things take their course. But Josiah did not reason like that... He humbled himself, tore his clothes, and wept. God took notice of this. Josiah's tears of repentance were precious to the Lord. The dreadful judgement still had to take its course, yet the penitent man escaped. And he did not only escape himself; he became the honoured instrument in the Lord's hand for delivering others as well. He did not give in to the harmful belief that nothing could be done. Instead, with a broken spirit and an earnest heart, he cast himself on God, confessing his own sins and the sins of his people.

The word of God brings about repentance and dependence. Huldah is the instrument who makes the Lord's mind known (using this gift in the sphere given to her). The message has two parts. The first begins with "tell the man." It says the judgement will come and can no longer be turned aside. The second speaks to "the king of Judah." It reassures Josiah that God had accepted his humiliation and would not bring the judgement in Josiah's day.

And now who will interpret this Word for us? How do we "inquire of the LORD" about what we should do, when this Word tells us we have brought His displeasure on ourselves? The prophet alone, the representative of the Spirit of Christ (1 Peter 1:11), can interpret it for us. Josiah does not turn to Shaphan the scribe for this, or even to Hilkiah the high priest. He wants to be brought into direct contact with the Word.

Here, too, we are struck that a woman held the prophetic office. It surely tells a tale. Things were low. But the grace of God was unfailing and abundant, and Josiah was so completely broken that he was ready to receive God's mind through whatever channel it reached him. This was morally lovely. To human eyes it might look very humiliating for a king of Judah to turn to a woman for counsel. But that woman held the mind of God. For a humble and contrite spirit like Josiah's, that was quite enough.

We may rest assured that here lies the true secret of divine guidance. "He leads the humble in what is right, and teaches the humble his way." (Ps. 25:9) Were there more of this blessed spirit of meekness among us, there would be less confusion, less controversy, less striving about words to no profit.

Here we have a tender conscience bowing under the action of the Word of God. This was one special charm in the character of Josiah… Josiah had no doubt at all that the words Shaphan had read aloud to him were genuine and truly from God. We do not read of his asking, "How am I to know that this is the Word of God?" No. He trembled at it. He bowed before it. It struck him down. He tore his garments. He did not presume to sit in judgement upon the Word of God, but, as was right, he allowed the Word to judge him.

It teaches us how much God values deep personal searching of soul and a broken heart. Josiah might have thought the case hopeless. He might have thought that nothing could turn aside the great tide of wrath and judgement about to roll over the city of Jerusalem and the land of Israel… and that, in short, he had only to stand by and let things take their course. But Josiah did not reason like that… He humbled himself, tore his clothes, and wept. God took knowledge of this. Josiah's tears of repentance were precious to the Lord. The dreadful judgement still had to take its course, yet the man who repented escaped. And he did not only escape himself. He became the honoured instrument in the Lord's hand to deliver others too.

The messengers of the king knew who had the mind of God, and they went to Huldah the prophetess, who said to them, "Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel" (2 Chr. 34:23). How good it was that the Lord had His servant ready to speak His word to the devout king! In the same way He had His interpreter ready for the Ethiopian official who wanted to know who the prophet Isaiah was speaking about (Acts 8:27-35). The word of God is now complete, and the Spirit of God is with us and in us. So we can come to Him at any time to know His mind and will for every situation in life.

The heart of man is naturally hard toward God. The Apostle writes in Ephesians 4:18 that people are "alienated from the life of God… due to their hardness of heart." The Lord Jesus, in His parable of the Sower, spoke of the good seed of the Word falling along the path (Matthew 13:4). What could be harder, or less likely to be productive? In contrast with this, Josiah's heart was impressionable — surely the gracious work of the Holy Spirit of God. Jeremiah 23:29 compares the divine Word to a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces. The Philippian jailer needed the hammer when Paul and Silas first dealt with him: not so King Josiah. His heart was already tender.

Josiah might have thought the case hopeless. He could have reasoned that nothing would hold back the mighty tide of wrath and judgment about to roll over the city of Jerusalem and the land of Israel. Any move of his must prove useless; the divine purpose was settled and the decree had gone out. In short, he had only to stand by and let things take their course. But Josiah did not reason that way. No; he bowed before the divine testimony. He humbled himself, tore his clothes, and wept. God took knowledge of this. Josiah's tears of repentance were precious to the Lord. The terrible judgment had to run its course, yet the penitent escaped… He did not give himself over to a harmful fatalism. With a broken spirit and an earnest heart he cast himself upon God, confessing his own sins and the sins of his people.

Through Huldah the king learned that there was no turning back of the divine judgment. But God had taken account of his tender heart, of his repentance and his weeping, and the judgment would not take place in his day. God, in His mercy, delayed the judgment because of the faithfulness of good king Josiah. Hezekiah also delayed the coming judgment when he "humbled himself for the pride of his heart" (2 Chronicles 32:26). Yet Hezekiah's answer does not compare with Josiah's. Hezekiah seemed more concerned with himself. Of the judgment his folly would bring on his house he said, "The word of the LORD that you have spoken is good… if there will be peace and security in my days" (2 Kings 20:19).

Here we have the moral basis of Josiah's remarkable career, and there was certainly nothing of presumption in it. A contrite heart, weeping eyes, and torn garments do not go with presumption or self-confidence. No; they are the precious results of the Word of God acting on the heart and conscience, leading to a life of deep personal devotion.

It is impossible for a man to feel the weight and seriousness of truth and not seek to bring others under its action. A man may hold a quantity of truth in the mind — hold it on the surface, hold it in a merely theoretical way. But this has no practical effect… we may be sure that the best way to make others feel deeply is to feel deeply ourselves.

Josiah felt the weight of Israel's disobedience through nine centuries. How should we feel as we look back over our own history in the nineteen centuries since Pentecost? What a record of departure from the Word of God! And what is the condition of things around us at this moment? Are our hearts tender? Do we know anything of holy trembling at the Word of God?

The human heart is hard toward God by nature. Note the Apostle's words in Ephesians 4:18: "They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart." ... Josiah's heart was different. It was easily moved — a gracious work of the Holy Spirit of God. Jeremiah 23:29 compares God's Word to a hammer: "Is not My word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that breaks the rock in pieces?" The Philippian jailer needed the hammer when Paul and Silas first had to do with him: not so King Josiah. His heart was already tender.

Josiah might have thought the case hopeless. He could have said that nothing would turn back the great tide of wrath and judgment about to roll over Jerusalem and the land of Israel. Any move of his must prove useless. God's purpose was settled, the decree had gone out, and he had only to stand by and let things take their course. But Josiah did not reason that way. He bowed before the divine testimony. He humbled himself, tore his clothes, and wept. God took notice of this. Josiah's tears of repentance were precious to the Lord. The dreadful judgment still had to run its course, but the penitent escaped.

Josiah's heart was tender. He humbled himself before God at the words of the book of the law, tore his clothes and wept before Him. So the Lord responded kindly. He would let Josiah die before the threatened judgment fell on Judah, so that he would not see all the disaster that Judah's sin brought on. Isaiah describes the same thing: "The righteous man perishes, and no one lays it to heart; devout men are taken away, while no one understands. For the righteous man is taken away from calamity."

The people did not deserve such a godly ruler. Their wickedness, despite the outward reform, called for judgment. So the righteous man was taken away from the evil to come. Seen this way, it was a mercy to the man himself. But for the nation, as people would see it, it was a terrible loss.

For another detail of God's government, look at the case of Josiah. He fell by the hand of Pharaoh Necho, even though God had said, "You shall be gathered to your grave in peace." But he was taken from the evil to come. The circumstances were painful, for it seems he should have listened to Pharaoh. God disciplined Josiah himself, yet Josiah did not see, as Daniel did, all that came upon Jerusalem. What a sparing from sorrow that was!

God had promised him that the judgments would not fall while he lived. He was twenty-six years old when Huldah spoke. Humanly speaking, many years of rule lay before him. Oh, why did he not walk carefully, knowing that so much depended on his life?

Josiah heard that nothing could reverse the sentence against Jerusalem and Judah, and that he himself would be spared. That is when he humbled himself still further before the Lord. He set about a reformation with no parallel until then in the nation's history. ... Our comfort is not the promise of being gathered to the grave in peace, but the hope of being gathered to meet the Lord in the air. Yet surely the effect of such a hope is not to make the heart indifferent to the dishonour cast on Christ's name.

Josiah was a man thoroughly in earnest. He felt the power of truth in his own soul. He could not rest until he had gathered the people around him, so that the light which had shone on him might shine on them too. He could not rest in what was promised to him. He would go to his grave in peace. His eyes would not see the evil coming on Jerusalem. He would escape the terrible tide of judgement about to roll over the land. No, he thought of others, he felt for the people around him.

Josiah was king in Judah, so he represented all the people. He realised it was his responsibility to involve them all in hearing the Word of God. Beginning with the elders, he called the people to the house of the Lord. So he gathered the elders, the priests, the prophets and the common people. There Josiah himself read all the words of the Book of the Covenant, which would include the five books of Moses.

Whether or not they were all affected by this as he was, he considered it necessary that all the people should hear God's Word. This was the basis of any relationship with God.

Josiah did not sit down in despair because of the serious things which Huldah made known to him. The judgements would not fall just yet. Meanwhile the energetic young king would do his utmost to lead the people back into "the old paths." It is never too late to obey the Word of God.

What a thrill of joy we would feel if we could read in the newspapers that kings and presidents were calling mass meetings in their capitals! Imagine them reading the badly neglected Word of God to the crowds. Imagine them pointing out, with all earnestness and seriousness, the things in which the people have gone astray, and calling them to return humbly to their God! This would produce far better results than the anxious talks of statesmen. They look for formulas that will bring about the appearance of peace for a while.

When Josiah heard the word of the Lord through Huldah, he sent and gathered the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. He called in the men of Judah, the people of Jerusalem, the priests and the Levites, and all the people, great and small. Then he read to them all the words of the book of the covenant found in the house of the Lord. All who were available heard that day the word of God from the lips of their king.

This shows what the devoted energy of faith in one man can do. He was a leader whose influence was great, though the eventual results among the people were not good. In the days of Josiah the Lord told Jeremiah, "Judah did not return to me with her whole heart, but in pretense." Josiah had turned to God with his whole heart. Most of the people had not. They could — and did — easily go in the opposite direction when Josiah died.

This is excellent. An ounce of example is worth more than a ton of precept. Joshua, in his final address to Israel, spoke in the same way: "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD" (Joshua 24:15). Paul urged Timothy to "set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12). When the Lord Jesus was on earth the Jewish people had many teachers — scribes and Pharisees — whose teaching was good, but their own lives were bad. "So do and observe whatever they tell you, but not the works they do. For they preach, but do not practice" (Matthew 23:3). Let us above all things be real! God forbid that we should proclaim to others truths we do not know the power of in our own souls.

Josiah was a man thoroughly in earnest. He felt the power of truth in his own soul. He could not rest satisfied until he gathered the people around him, so that the light which had shone on him might shine on them too. He did not, and could not, rest in his own escape. He was to be gathered to his grave in peace. His eyes were not to see the evil coming on Jerusalem. He was to escape the terrible tide of judgment about to roll over the land. No, he thought of others, he felt for the people around him.

He then made a covenant before the Lord, requiring all the people to ratify it. This was simply a renewal of the covenant of law, even though they had broken that law. Was there really any hope they would now keep it? No, but it was the only basis of blessing that God had given them at the time, and they were still responsible. God was allowing them every opportunity to change if it had been possible.

This covenant was based on the law. That is why the people broke it as quickly as the covenant of Sinai, and as quickly as any other covenant made on the same terms. But these covenants give man an occasion to learn in depth what the flesh is. This is why the law, as an obligation, is necessary.

On the young king's part this was all real, no doubt. But you only have to read the earlier part of Jeremiah's prophecy to see how hypocritical it was with the mass of the people. They had eagerly entered into covenants with the Lord before. The outcome was always the same — breakdown, and a wider departure from God than ever before.

The king made a covenant to walk after the Lord "with all his heart" and "all his soul," and he made them all pledge themselves to it. We do not enter into a covenant with God. But we can "remain faithful to the Lord with steadfast purpose" (Acts 11), not trusting in self but in His grace.

A happy day is not far off. When the LORD establishes His new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, He will write His law in their very hearts. This means new birth; then the will of God will be their real delight.

Josiah was a man thoroughly in earnest. He felt the power of truth in his own soul. He could not rest until he had gathered the people around him, so that the light which had shone on him might shine on them too. He did not, he could not, rest in this: he was to go to his grave in peace, and his eyes were not to see the evil coming upon Jerusalem. No, he thought of others; he felt for the people around him. His own escape rested on his true repentance and humbling under the mighty hand of God. So he would use that same Word, which had worked so strongly in his own heart, to lead others to the same repentance and humbling.

Josiah not only read the law of the Lord to the people, he also declared his own intention to obey it. "The king stood in his place and made a covenant before the Lord, to walk after the Lord and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant that were written in this book." This is excellent. An ounce of example is worth more than a ton of instruction.

He then made a covenant before the Lord, requiring all the people to ratify it (vv. 31-32). This was simply a renewal of the covenant of law, even though they had already broken that law. Was there really any hope they would now keep it? No, but it was the only basis of blessing God had given them at the time, and they were still responsible. God was allowing them every opportunity to change if it had been possible.

Josiah's earnest zeal went further than telling the people his own intentions. He made all who were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin stand to it. The king meant well, but how little he understood how changeable the human heart is! Other godly kings before him had made the people speak good resolutions before God. But how quickly they went back to wallowing in the mire! Yet Josiah's subjects voiced no hesitation. It was the old sad story of Sinai repeated. They had never learned the depths of their own evil, or the holiness of God. At the burning mountain all the people answered together, "All that the Lord has spoken we will do." While Josiah lived, the people's behaviour was outwardly correct. But outward correctness will not do for God. Jeremiah's sad pages tell us how little the people's hearts loved the will of God.

The good king brought the people into a covenant with God that day with the very best of motives. But he could not know, as we now know, how impossible it is for man in the flesh to walk after the Lord and keep His commandments with all his heart. They did not understand the weakness of their flesh. Yet it could still be written, "all his days they did not turn away from following the Lord, the God of their fathers." God took account of the desires of the king's heart, and of those of a people who followed him.

The king made a covenant to walk after the Lord "with all his heart" and "all his soul," and he "caused all… to stand to it." We do not enter into a covenant with God. But we can have "purpose of heart" and "cleave to the Lord" (Acts 11), not trusting in self but in His grace.

Josiah was a man thoroughly in earnest. He felt the power of truth in his own soul. He could not rest until he gathered the people around him, so that the light which had shone on him might shine on them too. He did not, he could not, rest in this: he was to be gathered to his grave in peace. His eyes were not to see the evil coming on Jerusalem. He was to escape the terrible flood of judgement about to roll over the land. No, he thought of others, he felt for the people around him.

Josiah, like Hezekiah and Elijah, recognised the unity of the twelve tribes. He acted on that truth even when the state of things was deeply depressing and humiliating. He acted according to the unchanging truth of God, and not according to the practical state of God's people. He carried his reforming work into all the cities that belonged to Israel. And in speaking to the Levites, he charged them, at the opening of that marvellous day, to serve the Lord and His people Israel. Get hold of that point. He charges the Levites that they were to serve Jehovah, and not His people Judah, but "His people Israel."

Did Elijah build on appearances when he built his altar of twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob? Did king Hezekiah build on appearances when he gave that fine command that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for all Israel? Did Josiah build on appearances when he carried his reforming work into all the countries that belonged to the children of Israel? Surely not. They built on the faithful Word of the God of Israel.

The King meant well, but he hardly understood how changeable the human heart is! Other godly kings before him had made the people utter good resolutions before God. But how soon they returned to wallowing in the mire… While Josiah lived the people's behaviour was outwardly correct. But outward correctness will not do for God; Jeremiah's sad pages tell us how little the people's hearts loved the will of God.

This illustrates what the devoted energy of faith on the part of one man can do. He was a leader whose influence was great, though the eventual results among the people were not good. In the days of Josiah the Lord told Jeremiah, "her treacherous sister Judah did not return to me with her whole heart, but in pretense" (Jer. 3:10). Josiah had turned to God with his whole heart, but not so with the people generally. They could — and did — easily go in the opposite direction when Josiah died.

Men serve the Lord as long as the power of God in His servants turns their hearts to Himself. This holds whether these are judges or kings — Moses, Joshua, or David… Once the leader is gone, the mass relapses into departure from the living God.

Time was running out for guilty Israel. Soon the righteous judgement of God would wipe out their "place and nation", and nothing would restore it until Christ appears. Yet before the blow fell, the remnant left in the land experienced one of the brightest moments Israel had ever known. As far as human instruments go, this came about through the faith of the king. The Word of God had reached his mind and heart, and he wanted both himself and his people to be fully obedient to it.

It teaches us very clearly what the darkest times cannot take away. Even then the faithful soul has the privilege of acting on divine principles and enjoying divine privileges. Suppose the spirit that seems to drive so many in our own day had influenced Josiah. Then he could never have attempted to celebrate the Passover at all. He would have folded his arms and said, "It is useless to think of keeping up our great national institutions any longer."

The king was right to feel that the LORD must be worshipped in pure surroundings. Every household in Israel had to search the house for any trace of leaven. Only then could they keep the Passover properly (Exodus 12:15). In Josiah's day the land was full of detestable things — not only the idols themselves, but also the filthy practices that always go with idolatry. It apparently took eight years of energetic action to clear all this away. Josiah's order of procedure is instructive. First he purged the land and the temple. Next he "repaired the house of the LORD his God." Then he felt ready to call the people together to keep the feast.

This was acting on the very highest principles of the institution. Hezekiah kept the Passover in the second month, taking advantage of the provision grace had made for a defiled state of things. But Josiah took the very highest ground, as simple faith always does. God's grace can meet us in the very lowest condition we may be found in. But He is always glorified and pleased when faith plants its foot on the highest ground that divine revelation sets out. Nothing so delights the heart of God as the fullest use faith makes of what He has given.

At the time of Hezekiah's revival, the Passover fell in the second month, not on the fourteenth day of the first. The Word allowed that later date for anyone unclean or away on a journey at the time of the feast. The priests were in the first of these situations. They lacked the zeal to sanctify themselves, so they were unclean, and Hezekiah acted on that. Josiah's Passover was celebrated on the appointed date of the first month. Far more people now felt the need to sanctify themselves for the Lord than under Hezekiah. They understood the Word of God better, and their desire to obey Him was more real.

It tells us that no age, no circumstances, no influence can ever change the truth of God or dim the vision of faith. Unbelief will find in the state of things around it an excuse to lower the standard, loosen the grip, slacken the pace, drop the tone. Faith says "No!" — emphatically and decidedly, "No!" Let us bow our heads in shame and sorrow over our sin and failure, but keep the standard up. The failure is ours: the standard is God's.

The Passover was the first of the yearly feasts to the LORD. It was kept on the fourteenth day of the first month — the month of Abib. The Passover brought back to memory every year the redemption and deliverance from Egypt. "For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed." The Passover lamb was a picture of Christ. Every time it was sacrificed, it pointed forward to Him who was to come — the Lamb of God, "in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins."

The order Josiah followed teaches us something. First he cleared the evil out of the land and the temple. Next he "repaired the house of Jehovah his God." Only then did he feel ready to call the people together to keep the feast. A hundred years earlier Hezekiah kept a great Passover in Jerusalem, but much of it was not done properly, and Hezekiah humbly asked Jehovah to pardon His people for it (2 Chron. 30:18-20). Josiah made sure the people did everything exactly as the written Word said.

Josiah prepared with care, so that everything would follow the written word of God… "He appointed the priests to their offices and encouraged them in the service of the house of the LORD." … All of it had to follow what was written. Josiah clearly took great care over this. So he became a beautiful example for all who long to please the Lord. Like this godly king, they want to follow Him and turn aside "neither to the right hand nor to the left." Some in the kingdom might think him too bound to the letter of these writings. But he would have God's approval, and that was quite enough. No one can say where one deliberate step aside, even by a hair's breadth, may lead in the end.

Nothing about this memorial should be done without the Word. They were to prepare it "according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon" (2 Chr. 35:4). They were to bring the sacrifice to the Lord "according to the word of Jehovah through Moses" (vv. 6, 12). They were to roast it with fire "according to the ordinance" (v. 13). Each man took his place in the singing and praising, keeping the right order, "according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer" (v. 15). And all was done "according to the commandment of king Josiah" (v. 16). That is, the man God used in this revival had the good sense to tell the people to do nothing except what agreed with Scripture.

How many different duties these humble servants carried out! Modest duties, yes, but without them the whole order of the Lord's service would have been interrupted, or even stopped altogether! Let us think about this. When the Lord entrusts a service to us, however unimportant it may seem, let us carry it out with zeal. It is needed for the order of the house of God.

What a picture! King, princes, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, all Israel, Judah, and the people of Jerusalem. All gathered together. All in their true place and at their appointed work, "according to the word of the Lord." And all this "in the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah," when the whole Jewish system was about to fall apart… It tells us that no age, no circumstances, no influence can ever change the truth of God or dim the vision of faith… Unbelief takes the state of things around us as an excuse to lower the standard, to loosen the grip, to slacken the pace, to lower the tone. Faith says "No!"… Let us bow our heads in shame and sorrow over our sin and failure, but keep the standard up. The failure is ours: the standard is God's.

The kings of Judah gave horses to the sun, and those horses are stabled at the entrance of the house of the Lord. Meanwhile the ark of the Lord has been thrown out of the sanctuary. It is at this point, an hour of all but total apostasy, that the son of Amon, a child eight years old, comes to the throne.

This command is startling to read! There has been no previous mention of the ark being displaced. Who did it? What king was evil enough to remove the sacred vessel from the Most Holy Place? And where was the ark during the years of its dishonour? It is true that the ark was only a chest of acacia wood, overlaid with gold. Its cover was made for the sprinkling of the atoning blood. But the ark spoke to God of Christ, and Josiah was right to call it "the holy ark."… The acacia wood pictures our Lord's incorruptible humanity. The gold that covered it pictures His Deity. The blood on the Mercy Seat, where the golden cherubim looked down, points to His finished sacrifice.

In the days of Josiah, the ark had left its resting place. The Levites were plainly carrying it on their shoulders again… How very sad that through all the ups and downs of Israel's history, the Lord's rest was broken. He could not rest where His people cared nothing for His claims and His holiness.

It appears that even the ark had been moved out of its place. But now the ark is back at rest, and the Levites give themselves to their service. They even make things ready for the priests, so that they might keep the feast. Those who taught all Israel no longer carried the ark, but they ministered to God and to His people.

When a Levite taught his brothers, it pleased God as much as burning incense before Him. Both were just as truly a divine exercise of his office. This is very important. We should never separate these two things.

2 Chronicles 35:3, 6 is an outstanding reference. It shows that the feast cannot be rightly kept unless Christ has His true place in the affections of His own… The ark was in its true place, and the people prepared and sanctified according to the word of God. That produced an occasion of which it is written, "There was no Passover like it kept in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet."

Here Josiah goes back to God's own standard for the great central feast of Israel. Everything had to be done "according to the word of the Lord by Moses." Nothing less, nothing lower, would do. Unbelief might raise a thousand difficulties. With things in such a state, aiming that high might look presumptuous. But Josiah was enabled to plant his foot on the highest ground. He took the widest possible range… nothing less than the whole Israel of God.

David divided the priests into 24 courses: 16 of them were from the house of Eleazar, and 8 from Ithamar. 1 Chronicles 24:6-19 lists them under the name of each head. David divided the Levites in a similar way (1 Chronicles 23).

Josiah also told the Levites to prepare themselves by the houses of their fathers (v. 4). Their fathers were Kohath, Gershon and Merari. Numbers 4:2, 24 and 42 record their distinct services. So, having prepared themselves, they were to "stand in the holy place according to the divisions of their families" (v. 5). There they kept an order according to God when they killed the Passover according to God's word by Moses (v. 6).

Nothing that belongs to this memorial should be done without the Word. They were to prepare it "according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon" (2 Chronicles 35:4). They were to present the sacrifice to the Lord (v. 12) "according to the word of Jehovah through Moses" (v. 6). They were to roast it with fire "according to the ordinance" (v. 13). Each man took his place in singing and praising "according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer" (v. 15), keeping the due order according to God. And all was done "according to the commandment of king Josiah" (v. 16). That is, the man God used in this revival had the good sense neither to pass on nor to order anything for the people except what agreed with Scripture.

What made this Passover different from all that had gone before it was the careful keeping of the Word of Jehovah by both king and people. God had spoken through Moses, David and Solomon about the ordinances of divine worship, and Josiah was determined to carry it all out. They did not let the failures and shortcomings of earlier days influence things now. Hezekiah kept the Passover in the second month; Josiah kept it in the first. In Hezekiah's day the purification of the people and the sanctuary was only partial. Josiah made sure it was thorough and complete.

It was all to be done according to what was written. Josiah clearly took great care about this. So he became a beautiful example for all who long to please the Lord. Like this godly king, they want to follow Him and turn aside "neither to the right hand nor to the left." Some in the kingdom might think him too tied to the letter of these writings, but he would have God's approval, which was quite enough. No one can say where a deliberate departure of a hair's breadth may eventually lead.

What a picture! King, princes, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, all Israel, Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem — all gathered together, all in their true place and at their appointed work, "according to the word of the Lord." All this happened "in the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah," when the whole Jewish order was on the very edge of collapse... It tells us that no age, no circumstances, no influence can ever change the truth of God or dim the vision of faith... The failure is ours; the standard is God's.

And Josiah was right. Israel's condition had changed for the worse, but no change had come over "the word of the Lord by Moses." The truth of God is always the same. Faith will always shape its way by that truth, and nothing else. God had not varied His instructions for the celebration of the Passover. There was not one way for Moses and another way for Josiah, but God's way for both. Josiah felt this, and he acted on it.

What made this Passover different from all that had gone before it was the careful observance of the word of Jehovah by both king and people. God had spoken through Moses, David and Solomon about the ordinances of divine worship. Josiah was determined to carry it all out. The failures and shortcomings of earlier days did not shape things now. Hezekiah kept the Passover in the second month; but Josiah kept it in the first. In Hezekiah's day the people and the sanctuary were only partly purified. Josiah made sure the purifying was thorough and complete. Jehovah graciously pardoned the irregularities in Hezekiah's reign. But since then the book of the law had come into fresh prominence, and Josiah wanted every rule in it carefully kept.

When Hezekiah revived the nation, the Passover fell in the second month, not the first. The Word allowed that later date for anyone who was unclean or away on a journey at the time of the feast (Numbers 9:11). The priests were in the first case: they had lacked the zeal to sanctify themselves, so they were unclean, and Hezekiah acted in view of that. Josiah's Passover was kept on the appointed date of the first month. Far more people felt the need of sanctifying themselves for the Lord than under Hezekiah, because the word of God was better understood, and the desire to obey Him was more real.

Here again is the order already mentioned, and it is most instructive. We may also learn that unless we have "purified" ourselves, it is useless to try to "purify" others. Scripture affirms this truth everywhere. For example, anyone whose own feet were not washed (John 13) could not wash the feet of fellow believers. And the Lord Himself taught that before we could take the speck out of our brother's eye, the log must come out of our own eye.

In speaking to the Levites, he charged them, at the opening of that marvellous day, to serve the Lord and His people Israel. Get hold of that point. He charges the Levites to serve Jehovah, and not His people Judah, but "His people Israel." He can only speak of the nation, and act toward it, by the revealed mind of God. He will not go by their practical condition.

The Levites were told also to prepare themselves by the houses of their fathers (v. 4). Their fathers were Kohath, Gershon and Merari, and Numbers 4:2, 24, 42 records their distinct services. Having prepared themselves, they were to "stand in the holy place according to the divisions of their families" (v. 5). They kept an order according to God when they killed the Passover according to God's word by Moses (v. 6).

Look at Josiah, just before the captivity. What do we see? A man simply taking the word as his guide. He judged himself and all around him by its light. He rejected all that was contrary to it. He sought, with earnest purpose of heart, to carry out what he found written there. And what was the result? The most blessed Passover that had been celebrated since the days of Samuel.

Josiah felt it was his high and holy privilege to match God's standard, despite all the errors and evils that had crept in over the generations. God's truth must stand forever. Faith accepts this precious fact, acts on it, and reaps the harvest that follows. Nothing could be lovelier than the scene we are looking at now. Josiah's strict obedience to the Word of the Lord deserves no more admiration than his large-hearted devotion and generosity.

Josiah's gift for the Passover far outnumbered the gifts of the princes and of the chief of the Levites. For the king pictures the Lord Jesus, whose giving far exceeds the willing-hearted giving of the most devoted servants. Josiah gave 30,000 lambs and kids and 3,000 bulls (v. 7). The rulers gave 2,600 small animals (sheep, etc.) and 300 oxen (v. 8). The chief of the Levites gave 5,000 small animals and 500 oxen. This was more than the rulers gave, but only one-sixth of Josiah's gift.

During Josiah's Passover week the rich helped the poor to provide all that was needed for the great feast. The singers led the praises of the people. The gatekeepers guarded the door against all intruders (2 Chron. 35:7-8, 15). When the hearts of the people are right with God they are generous, praiseful and watchful. May the Holy Spirit make all these things true of us at this time also.

The burnt offerings were kept separate from the Passover sacrifice, which was a peace offering that the offerers were to share. The burnt offerings were clearly gifts given to the people to offer. They were not to eat them, but to offer them all in fire to the Lord. This signifies the glory God receives from the value of the sacrifice of Christ.

The Passover gathering in Jerusalem in Josiah's day was a small affair compared with the gathering in Solomon's day to keep the feast of Tabernacles… In Josiah's day the nation was broken. Gentile powers had carried large numbers of the people out of the land. Only a remnant was left. But it was very precious to Jehovah to see them come together at that late moment in the nation's history. In their danger and need, they placed themselves once more under the shelter of the blood of the lamb. A precious lesson for us in this day!

Verses 7-10 show the provision for the Passover, before the killing itself. Josiah's gift for this far outnumbered the gifts of the princes and of the chief of the Levites. The king is a picture of the Lord Jesus. His giving far exceeds the willing hearts of the most devoted servants. Josiah gave 30,000 lambs and kids and 3,000 bulls (v.7). The rulers gave 2,600 small animals (sheep, etc.) and 300 oxen (v. 8). The chief of the Levites gave 5,000 small animals and 500 oxen. This was more than the rulers gave, but only one-sixth of Josiah's gift.

Prince, in Numbers 7:2, means liberality. "My people shall be willing" (Psalm 110). "Willing" and "liberal" are the same word. Again, in 2 Corinthians 8:5, the Gentiles had been made willing: "they gave themselves first to the Lord." The Lord recognised and owned them. Then comes the generosity. Grace produced it in them, and God calls it their own voluntary will.

Josiah felt it to be his high and holy privilege to conform to the divine standard, despite all the errors and evils which had crept in from age to age. God's truth must stand forever. Faith owns and acts on this precious fact, and reaps accordingly. Nothing can be more lovely than the scene enacted on the occasion we are now looking at. Josiah's strict adherence to the Word of the Lord is not more to be admired than his large-hearted devotedness and liberality.

During Josiah's Passover week the rich helped the poor to provide all that the great feast needed. The singers led the praises of the people. The gatekeepers guarded the door against all intruders (2 Chronicles 35:7-8, 15). When the hearts of the people are right with God they are generous, praiseful and watchful. May the Holy Spirit make all these things true of us at this time also.

Prince of Judah, and one of the rulers of the house of God. 2 Chronicles 35:8.

What a picture! King, princes, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, all Israel, Judah, and the people of Jerusalem — all gathered together, all in their true place and at their appointed work, "according to the word of the Lord." All this happened "in the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah," when the whole Jewish system was on the very eve of collapse. ... No age, no circumstances, no influence can ever change the truth of God or dim the vision of faith. ... Unbelief will draw a plea from the condition of things around to lower the standard, to relax the grasp, to slacken the pace, to lower the tone. Faith says "No!" The failure is ours: the standard is God's.

The Time (v. 1) — what Scripture had prescribed. The Centre (v. 3) — the ark, a picture of Christ, to whom the people were to gather. The Preparation (v. 4) — every house finding its place according to the instructions of David and Solomon. The Order (v. 5) — priests and Levites standing in their place to kill the Passover according to the word of the Lord by Moses. The Provision (vv. 7-9) — Josiah, the princes and the chief of the Levites willingly giving to the people the offerings needed for the Passover. The Death (v. 11) — the Passover killed, the blood sprinkled, with burnt offerings going along with the sacrifice. The Roasting (v. 13) — speaking of the severe judgment of the Lord Jesus, exposed directly to the flame of God's wrath.

Josiah's gift for this far outnumbered the gifts of the princes and of the chief of the Levites. For the king is a picture of the Lord Jesus, whose giving far exceeds the willingness of the most devoted servants. Josiah gave 30,000 lambs and kids and 3,000 bulls (v. 7). The rulers gave 2,600 small animals (sheep, etc.) and 300 oxen (v. 8). The chief of the Levites gave 5,000 small animals and 500 oxen. This was more than the rulers gave, but only one sixth of Josiah's gift.

Look through the history of Israel. Whenever things were in anything like a healthy condition, the people cared well for the altar of God. As a result, the priests and Levites were well supplied. If Jehovah had His portion, His servants were sure to have theirs. If He was neglected, so were they. They were bound up together. The people were to bring their offerings to God, and He shared them with His servants. The priests and the Levites were not to demand anything of the people. Instead, the people had the privilege of bringing their gifts to the altar of God. And He allowed His servants to feed on the fruit of His people's devotion to Him.

Nothing could be lovelier than the scene we are looking at here. Josiah held strictly to the Word of the Lord, and his large-hearted devotion and generosity deserve just as much admiration.

During Josiah's Passover week the rich helped the poor to provide everything the great feast needed. The singers led the praises of the congregation. The gatekeepers guarded the door against all intruders (2 Chron. 35:7-8, 15). When the hearts of the people are right with God they are generous, praiseful and watchful. May the Holy Spirit make all these things true of us at this time also.

Nothing that belongs to this memorial should be done without the Word. It was "according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon" that they were to prepare it (2 Chr. 35:4). It was "according to the word of Jehovah through Moses" (v. 6) that they were to present the sacrifice to the Lord (v. 12). It was "according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer" that each took his place to keep the order God wanted in singing and praising (v. 15). And all of it followed "the commandment of king Josiah" (v. 16). That is, the man God used in this revival had the wisdom to command nothing except what agreed with Scripture.

It was all to be done according to what was written. Josiah took great care over this. So he became a beautiful example for everyone who longs to please the Lord and wants to turn aside "neither to the right hand nor to the left" from following Him, as this godly king did. Some in the kingdom might think him too tied to the letter of these writings. But he would have God's approval, and that was quite enough. No one can say where a deliberate departure of a hair's breadth may eventually lead.

What a picture! King, princes, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, all Israel, Judah, and the people of Jerusalem — all gathered together, all in their true place and at their appointed work, "according to the word of the Lord." And all this happened "in the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah," when the whole Jewish system stood on the very edge of collapse. Surely this must speak to the heart of the thoughtful reader… It tells us that no age, no circumstances, no influence can ever change the truth of God or dim the vision of faith.

Before the actual killing of the Passover, verses 7-10 show the provision for it. Josiah's gift for this far outweighed the gifts of the princes and of the chief of the Levites. For the king is a picture of the Lord Jesus. His giving goes far beyond the willingness of the most devoted servants.

During Josiah's Passover week the rich helped the poor to provide everything needed for the great feast. The singers led the praises of the congregation. The gatekeepers guarded the door against all intruders. When the hearts of the people are right with God they are generous, full of praise, and watchful.

Josiah has a "Thus says the Lord" for everything he does. What a wonderfully lovely picture!… A backslidden people came back to God and His word. They were the ones left to keep such a remembrance of that unforgettable night, when the blood of the "lamb" was under His holy eye for His Israel — a Passover that even Solomon in all his glory never kept.

What made this Passover different from all that had gone before it was the careful keeping of the Word of Jehovah by both king and people. God had spoken through Moses, David and Solomon about the rules for worship. Josiah was determined to carry all of it out. The failures and shortcomings of earlier days were not allowed to influence things now. Hezekiah kept the Passover in the second month; but Josiah kept it in the first. In Hezekiah's day the purification of the people and the sanctuary was only partial. Josiah made sure it was thorough and complete.

If, as they naturally would, they kept it as they had in Egypt, every house killed the lamb for itself... At any rate that Passover in Hezekiah's day, and Josiah's Passover, when the priest did sprinkle the blood of the Passover lamb, were special exceptional cases. There were plenty of priests and Levites attending in their places. As far as the New Testament goes, it would seem each prepared it for himself.

The blood of the slain lamb on the Passover night was sprinkled outside, not inside. It went on the lintel and doorposts, not for Israel to see, but for God. "When I see the blood, I will pass over you." So in the sacrifices the blood was put on the horns of God's altar, presented to God, never to man.

From Leviticus 1 it would appear that the offerer also skinned it, cut it in pieces, and washed the inward parts and legs in water. But the expressions can also be read as "Let it be skinned." So the priests or the Levites may have done these acts. (The Levites skinned the sacrifices in 2 Chronicles 29:34, when there were too few priests.) ... It was typical of Christ's perfect offering up of Himself, being tested in His inmost parts by the searching fire of divine judgement.

The burnt offerings were removed from the Passover sacrifice, which was a peace offering that the offerers were to share. But the burnt offerings were evidently gifts given to the people to offer — not to eat, but to offer all in fire to the Lord. This stands for the glory that God receives from the value of the sacrifice of Christ.

King, princes, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, all Israel, Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem — all gathered together. All in their true place and at their appointed work, "according to the word of the Lord." And all this "in the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah," when the whole Jewish order was about to collapse... It tells us that no age, no circumstances, no influence can ever change the truth of God or dim the vision of faith.

The Levites afterwards prepared portions for themselves and for the priests, all of whom had been unselfishly occupied with caring for the people (v. 14). What a lovely example for the Church of God! Those who are prominent are to remember they are servants to the need of others, not masters who demand first consideration.

Let us return now to Josiah's Passover. The account in our book, though very brief, is marked by an important expression: "As it is written in this book of the covenant" (v. 21). Under Hezekiah the people had also kept it according to "the word of Jehovah" and "the law of Moses" (2 Chron. 30:12, 16). But under Josiah the written Word, wonderfully preserved and rediscovered in the temple, takes on a much greater importance. Nothing that belongs to this memorial should be done without the Word. They were to prepare it "according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon" (2 Chron. 35:4). They were to present the sacrifice to the Lord (v. 12) "according to the word of Jehovah through Moses" (v. 6). They were to roast it with fire "according to the ordinance" (v. 13).

The Levites were told also to prepare themselves by the houses of their fathers (v. 4). Their fathers were Kohath, Gershon and Merari, whose distinct services are recorded in Numbers 4:2,24,42. So, having prepared themselves, they were to "stand in the holy place according to the divisions of their families" (v. 5). This kept an order according to God when they killed the Passover according to God's word by Moses (v. 6).

Verse 12 records the killing of the Passover, the priests sprinkling the blood and the Levites skinning the animals. The burnt offerings were however removed from the Passover sacrifice, which was a peace offering of which the offerers were to share. But the burnt offerings were evidently gifts given to the people to offer — not to eat, but to offer all in fire to the Lord, signifying the glory that God receives from the value of the sacrifice of Christ.

Josiah's strict obedience to the Word of the Lord deserves no more admiration than his large-hearted devotion and generosity. "He gave to the people of the flock, lambs and kids, all for the Passover-offerings, for all that were present, to the number of thirty thousand, and three thousand bullocks: these were of the king's substance. And his princes gave willingly to the people, to the priests, and to the Levites…"

There had never been such a Passover as the one kept by Josiah at the very close of the nation's history. What is the meaning of that?... It is God's answer to the faith of His servant. Josiah took his stand upon faith in God, and God answered the faith. There had not been such a Passover kept during all the days of the kings. Just think of that! There had been all the glories of Solomon's reign, and all the victories of David's reign. Yet the Holy Spirit testifies that there never had been such a Passover as the one kept in Josiah's reign.

What moved Josiah was due preparation "according to the law of Moses." What occupied and filled Hezekiah, it seems, was the mercy of God beyond law. So when Hezekiah heard that some had taken the Passover without having cleansed themselves, he looks higher than the law, to the sovereign mercy of God, and prays, "the good Lord pardon every one." Josiah cleaves to the law, and acts rightly in cleaving. But it did not bring him the joy and gladness that came to Hezekiah and the people with him.

The Passover is roasted, "according to the ordinance." The singers, the sons of Asaph, stand in their places, "according to the commandment of David." Josiah has a "Thus says the Lord" for all he does. What a wonderfully lovely picture!

First, roasted with fire, not boiled with water. To boil is to apply the heat indirectly, through water. To roast is to put the body of the lamb under the direct fierceness of the flame, and flame always pictures the searching judgment of God. If the precious blood of Christ shelters us from judgment, we are always to take to heart, as applying to ourselves, the fierceness of that judgment which He endured to bring about our deliverance.

Roast with fire signifies the inflicted judgment of God, and the lamb roast with fire brings before us the Lord Jesus as the One who came under the judgment of God on our behalf. More and more this is being denied. Many talk of the sacrifice of Christ, but they use the term in the sense of giving up something, or denying oneself for the benefit of others. They will not admit that we deserved the judgment of God, or that it fell on Jesus when He suffered for us on the cross as our Substitute. Naturally we would shrink from the thought of the judgment of God, and we would find no food in that. Death is what we shrink from. But here the lamb roast with fire, the death of Christ, in this special character under the judgment of God, becomes our food.

After being killed, the Passover offering was roasted as prescribed in Exodus 12:8. Other offerings were made at the same time, some boiled in pots or cauldrons, some baked in pans. These were divided among the people, which shows they were peace offerings (see Leviticus 7:11-16).

Afterward the Levites prepared portions for themselves and for the priests. All of them had been busy caring for the people, with no thought for themselves. What a lovely example for the Church of God! Those who are prominent are to remember that they serve the needs of others. They are not masters who demand to be considered first.

King, priests, Levites, singers, all Israel and Judah — all gathered, each in their true place and at their appointed work, "according to the word of the Lord." And all this in the eighteenth year of Josiah's reign, when the whole Jewish nation was about to collapse. It tells us that no age, no circumstances, no influence can ever change the truth of God or dim the vision of faith. "The word of the Lord endures forever." Faith grasps that Word and holds it fast in the face of everything… Unbelief looks at the state of things around and makes it an excuse to lower the standard, loosen the grasp, slow the pace, drop the tone. Faith says "No!" — emphatically and decidedly, "No!" Let us bow our heads in shame and sorrow because of our sin and failure, but keep the standard up. The failure is ours: the standard is God's.

The Levites afterward prepared portions for themselves and for the priests, who had all been busy caring for the people and thinking nothing of themselves (v. 14). How lovely an example for the Church of God! Those who are prominent must remember that they serve the needs of others. They are not masters who demand first place.

The priests were so busy serving at the altar until night that the Levites prepared for them. Clearly they did not eat the Passover meal until the fifteenth day of the month Nisan had begun. At that Passover everything was done in order… Nothing out of order, we may be sure, would have been allowed on that occasion.

The Levites were therefore servants of the priests, who were Aaron's family. In one very real sense all believers today are both priests and Levites. As priests they present acceptable sacrifices to God. As Levites they serve the needs of people. As the priests are worshipers, so the Levites have the privilege of ministry, but the two functions are distinct.

We are strange creatures. It is astonishing how selfish we can be despite the grace of God that has saved us… We often speak of the Twelve, who argued on the road to Jerusalem, and at the supper table itself, about which of them should be the greatest. We wonder how they could do this in the company of the Lord. But who wonders when we do exactly the same, we who have the Holy Spirit living in us?… If the Levites had been of that spirit there would have been strife and bitterness in the courts instead of harmony and happy fellowship in the work of God. We need a pattern, a standard, and the Lord Himself has given us one. "I am among you as the one who serves," said He, and we are told that even Christ did not please Himself.

The Levites get ready by their family groups, in their divisions, "according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son." They kill the Passover lamb, sanctify themselves, prepare their brothers, and the priests sprinkle the blood from their hand… The Passover is roasted, "according to the ordinance." The singers, the sons of Asaph, stand in their places, "according to the commandment of David." Josiah has a "Thus says the Lord" for all he does. What a wonderfully lovely picture!

What a picture! King, princes, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, all Israel, Judah, and the people of Jerusalem — all gathered together. All were in their true place and at their appointed work, "according to the word of the LORD." And all this "in the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah," when the whole Jewish nation was about to fall apart. Surely this must speak to the heart of the thoughtful reader. It tells us that no age, no circumstances, no influence, can ever change the truth of God or dim the vision of faith.

Nothing about this memorial should be done without the Word. They were to prepare it "according to the writing of David king of Israel, and the writing of Solomon." They were to present the sacrifice to the Lord "according to the word of the LORD by Moses." They were to roast it with fire "according to the rule." And each man took his place, keeping the order God wanted in singing and praising, "according to the command of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer."

Son of Berechiah, a Levite, and one of David's chief musicians; he is also called the king's seer.

We see the singers in their place, for the occasion was one of real joy in praising the Lord. The death of the animals is of course a symbol of the death of the Lord Jesus, and this does fill believers with deep sorrow. Yet the results of that matchless death are so great and wonderful that we should be filled with joy beyond words in the very face of the greatest sorrow. Is this not true when we remember the Lord in the breaking of bread?

The Guarding — gatekeepers were needed at every gate, to let in what should be in and keep out all that should be out.

The singers gave the Lord His portion. Only the redeemed can sing the songs of Zion. So the gatekeepers must carry out their duty faithfully, if the Lord is to have His portion. To let in those without divine qualifications is to admit those who cannot sing. Slackness in the gatekeepers will mean loss to the singers. Worship is lost where the gatekeepers are slack. When an assembly of God's people loses its worship today, that usually goes together with careless reception.

During Josiah's Passover week the rich helped the poor to provide all that was needed for the great feast. The singers led the praises of the people. The gatekeepers guarded the door against all intruders. When the hearts of the people are right with God they are generous, praiseful and watchful. May the Holy Spirit make all these things true of us at this time also.

What a picture! King, princes, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, all Israel, Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem — all gathered together. All in their true place and at their appointed work, "according to the word of the LORD." And all this "in the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah," when the entire Jewish system was on the very eve of collapse. This must speak to the heart of the thoughtful reader. It tells its own story and teaches its own lesson. It tells us that no age, no circumstances, and no influence can ever change the truth of God or dim the vision of faith.

The burnt offerings were separate from the Passover sacrifice. The Passover was a peace offering, and the offerers were to share in it. The burnt offerings were clearly gifts given to the people to offer. They were not to eat them, but to offer them all in fire to the Lord. This signifies the glory that God receives from the value of the sacrifice of Christ.

Nothing that belongs to this memorial should be done without the Word. It was "according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon" that they were to prepare it (2 Chr. 35:4). It was "according to the word of the LORD by Moses" (v. 6) that one should present the sacrifice to the Lord (v. 12). Each man took his place in singing and praising, keeping the order God had set, "according to the commandment of David, and Asaph, and Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer" (v. 15). And all was done "according to the commandment of king Josiah" (v. 16). That is to say, the man God used in this revival was wise enough to pass on and command nothing except what agreed with Scripture.

At the appointed time, on the fourteenth day of the first month, they kept the memorial feast — the last one before the house of Judah was carried into captivity. And all was done by the godly king "according to the word of the LORD" — "as it is written in the Book of Moses." It was obedience to the Word. And such obedience is needed in the days of decline in the professing Church. It is this which pleases God.

The prerequisite of revival in any day must be a whole-hearted acceptance of that Word, shown in an unqualified obedience to it. We can only affect others in the measure in which we ourselves are recovered to God. The measure of our obedience to the Word of God will be the measure of our moral power with others.

Look at the days of Josiah, when the whole Jewish system was on the very eve of collapse. Is it not magnificent to see a Passover kept then, greater in its blessedness than any kept since the days of Samuel the prophet? Does it not prove to our poor, narrow, unbelieving hearts that there is no limit to the grace of God, and no limit to the range of faith?

Josiah made sure that this Passover kept every detail of order. Today this reminds us that for centuries people ignored the simple service of breaking of bread in remembrance of the Lord Jesus. As we come near His coming, He would surely desire us to give Him honour in this simple way.

In Josiah's day the nation was broken. Gentile powers had carried large numbers of the people away from the land. Only a remnant was left. But it was very precious to the Lord to see them come together at that late moment in the nation's history. In their danger and need, they placed themselves once more under the shelter of the blood of the lamb. Precious lesson for us in this day!

He acted according to the unchanging truth of God, and not according to the practical state of God's people... He charges the Levites to serve the Lord — and not His people Judah, but "His people Israel." He can only speak of the nation, and act toward it, according to the revealed mind of God. He does not go by their practical condition... It is the Israel of God as faith sees it.

What made this Passover different from all that had gone before was the careful observance of the Word of the Lord by both king and people. God had spoken through Moses, David and Solomon about the ordinances of divine worship. Josiah was determined to carry all of it out. The failures and shortcomings of earlier days had no influence now. Hezekiah kept the Passover in the second month, but Josiah kept it in the first. In Hezekiah's day the purification of the people and the sanctuary was only partial. Josiah made sure that this purification was thorough and complete.

Israel's condition had changed for the worse, but no change had come over "the Word of the Lord by Moses." The truth of God is always the same. Faith shapes its way by that truth, and by nothing else... There was not one way for Moses and another way for Josiah, but God's way for both.

No work and no leaven were the divine rules for the week of the Passover. No work, because the great work of Calvary was in view (as a picture), and no human effort may stand alongside it. Christ is not a mere helper of sinners who makes up for what they lack. He is Saviour, and He does all that is needed to save us from eternal ruin.

No leaven, because all through the Scriptures leaven suggests evil. In 1 Corinthians 5 the apostle applies these instructions to Christians, and he has in mind the whole life of believers in Jesus. Israel's seven days of unleavened bread picture the whole period of our "sojourning here" (1 Peter 1:17). We are to keep ourselves free from everything that leaven suggests, not only on the first day of the week, but every day in every week in every year. All that is hateful to God, and which cost His beloved Son His precious life, must have no place at all in our lives.

What threw such a halo of glory around Josiah's Passover? We believe it was the fruit of holy and reverent obedience to the Word of God in the middle of abounding ruin and corruption, error and confusion. The dark background of the nation's condition threw into relief the activity of faith in an obedient and devoted heart.

It was a dark day in Israel's history when Hezekiah kept his Passover. But to find a parallel to Hezekiah's revival we have to go back two hundred and fifty years to the days of Solomon. It was a yet darker day when Josiah kept his Passover. Yet his revival was so bright that even the glorious days of Solomon offered no such testimony. To find a parallel we have to go back five hundred years, to the days of Samuel the prophet.

This Passover differed from all that had gone before because both king and people carefully observed the Word of the Lord. God had spoken through Moses, David and Solomon about the ordinances of divine worship. Josiah was determined to carry all of it out. He did not let the failures and shortcomings of earlier days influence things now. Hezekiah kept the Passover in the second month; but Josiah kept it in the first. In Hezekiah's day the purification of the people and the sanctuary was only partial. Josiah made sure the purification was thorough and complete.

What threw such a halo of glory around Josiah's Passover? We believe it was the fruit of holy and reverent obedience to the Word of God, in the middle of abounding ruin and corruption, error and confusion. The dark background of the nation's condition threw into relief the activities of faith in an obedient and devoted heart.

What a picture! King, princes, priests, Levites, singers, gatekeepers, all Israel, Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem — all gathered together, all in their true place and at their appointed work, "according to the word of the Lord." And all this "in the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah." The entire Jewish system was then on the very edge of collapse… Unbelief will draw an excuse from the condition of things around it to lower the standard, to loosen the grip, to slacken the pace, to lower the tone. Faith says "No!"… The failure is ours: the standard is God's.

In Josiah's day the nation was broken. Gentile powers had carried large numbers of the people away from the land. Only a remnant was left. But it was very precious to the Lord to see them coming together at that late moment in the nation's history. They came to place themselves once more, in their danger and need, under the shelter of the blood of the lamb.

Is it not perfectly magnificent to see, in the days of Josiah, when the whole Jewish system was on the very edge of collapse, the celebration of a Passover exceeding in its blessedness any that had ever been kept from the days of Samuel the prophet? Does it not prove to our poor, narrow, unbelieving hearts that there is no limit to the grace of God, and no limit to the range of faith?

The reformation, therefore, was remarkably complete in appearance. Sadly, what was beneath the surface was corrupt and vile. That was not true of Josiah, nor of certain godly ones who gathered in sympathy around the king, but of the mass of the people. And Josiah himself shows, after this, the usual failure of man, for he goes out unbidden against the king of Egypt.

This year was one of the most memorable, not only in the history of Josiah, but in the annals of Israel. It was marked by two great facts: the discovery of the book of the law, and the celebration of the feast of the Passover.

The purging of the land and of the temple took a considerable time. The king was right to feel that people must worship Jehovah in pure surroundings... In Josiah's day the land was full of detestable things. There were the idols themselves, and also the filthy practices that always go with idolatry. It seems it took eight years of energetic action to clear all this away. Josiah let no evil pass if he could prevent it. But he could not look into the hearts of the people. Sadly, many of them still loved these evils. The order Josiah followed teaches us. First he purged the land and the temple. Next he "repaired the house of the LORD his God." Then he felt ready to call the people together to keep the feast.

One thing made this Passover different from all that had gone before it. Both king and people carefully obeyed the Word of Jehovah. God had spoken through Moses, David and Solomon about the ordinances of divine worship. Josiah was determined to carry it all out. He did not let the failures and shortcomings of earlier days shape what he did now. Hezekiah kept the Passover in the second month; but Josiah kept it in the first. In Hezekiah's day the purifying of the people and the sanctuary went only part of the way. Josiah made sure it was thorough and complete.

In the eighteenth year of his reign, Josiah, like his great-grandfather Hezekiah, kept the Passover. No doubt the reading of the law had made this feast an urgent necessity once more... So at the appointed time, on the fourteenth day of the first month, they kept the memorial feast. It was the last one before the house of Judah was carried into captivity. The godly king did it all "according to the word of the LORD" — "as it is written in the Book of Moses." It was obedience to the Word. And such obedience is needed in the days of decline in the professing Church. It is this which pleases God.

It was a dark day in Israel's history when Hezekiah kept his Passover. But to find a parallel to Hezekiah's revival we have to go back two hundred and fifty years to the days of Solomon (2 Chron. 30:26). It was a still darker day when Josiah kept his Passover. Yet his revival was so bright that even the best days of Solomon offered no such testimony. To find a parallel we have to go back five hundred years, to the days of Samuel the prophet (2 Chron. 35:18).

As the darkness increases, so does the blessing of the soul that is faithful to God... the Passover kept in the days of Josiah surpassed any since the days of Samuel. And what of the feast in Nehemiah's day, which the returned captives held after they finished the wall of the city? It excelled any since the days of Joshua, the son of Nun; "and there was very great gladness"... So, whatever the difficulty, the believer who does God's will in the days of decline has joy as deep as in the first days, when all was as God set it up.

Thirteen years passed between the Passover Josiah kept and this closing incident of his life. The divine record passes over them in complete silence. Yet the words "After all this" bring the two events together and set them in moral contrast. We may well ask the reason. He was born to do this great reforming work, and it reached its highest point of success in the eighteenth year of his reign. The disaster that closed his life seems to have overshadowed it, if not undone it.

These words mark an epoch in the inspired record of the life of Josiah, king of Judah. They show the close of a career of brilliant usefulness. They also show the start of a course of self-will leading to defeat, disaster and death.

Thirteen years pass without any mention made of them. They speak of the long quiet years when principles are being tested. No great work of idol-breaking. No excitement from new discoveries of truth. No great spiritual crises to stir the emotions, such as the wonderful Passover and the service of voluntary self-dedication. Only a calm period, a testing time — the long and eventful years of maintenance, of holding fast to known truth and position.

The nations of the earth are like broken pieces of pottery, and they are quarrelling among themselves. Why is the Lord's anointed mixing himself up in their quarrel, unless he has a word from the Lord telling him to? Does he have such a word? No; but the very opposite.

It was a fair warning, and Josiah should certainly have heeded it. Necho came against Assyria, and had no quarrel with Josiah. He came by sea on this expedition, and landed at Accho. So he was not even on Josiah's territory when that king marched his forces against him — and the blame was his own.

The rule of the Gentile nations soon began, and will only end when the Lord appears. But Josiah, in this matter, did not enquire of the Lord. It was his own eagerness that led him to stand against Pharaoh Necho. He disguised himself, as if he sensed that he would die. Faith in God would have made that disguise needless. He did not even have the faith of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat was helping Ahab, yet he would not go into battle without enquiring of the prophet of the Lord, and he went in his royal robes. Jehoshaphat was preserved; Josiah was slain. The God of battles, Who guided the arrow that gave Ahab his death-wound, controlled the archers that killed Josiah. Mercy took him away from the evil to come.

How solemnly instructive this is. How does it happen that the ear that was so attentive a moment ago is now deaf to the voice of God? We are told about another godly king, Uzziah, that "he was marvelously helped, till he was strong. But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction" (ESV; an older translation reads "his heart was lifted up"). We may see Josiah's case as something like it. In a believer who stops watching, the flesh grows fat on the very blessings God gives. A lifted-up heart both deafens and blinds. We may refuse to listen to the voice of God. But no disguise can get us out from under His eye, and no shelter will help us.

It is a serious thing for a child of God to persist in doing his own will. Josiah went to Megiddo when he ought to have stayed at Jerusalem, and the archers shot him, and he died. Jonah went to Tarshish when he ought to have gone to Nineveh, and he was thrown into the deep. Paul persisted in going to Jerusalem though the Spirit told him not to, and he fell into the hands of the Romans. Now, all these were true, earnest, devoted servants of God. But they failed in these things. God overruled their failure for blessing, and yet they still had to reap the fruit of their failure.

Josiah had a remarkable warning addressed to him — by the king of Egypt himself! ... Amazing words! Does it seem strange to Christian readers that God would speak through a pagan king to one of His own best servants? The Holy Spirit adds His own comment to Pharaoh's message: "Josiah ... did not listen to the words of Neco from the mouth of God." Here is a remarkable example of the sovereignty of God: He works and speaks through whomever He pleases.

God may speak to believers through any agency, and we should be awake to discern whether it may be God speaking even through an unbeliever. At the very least, Neco's words ought to have made Josiah pause and consider what God's will was in this matter.

The sense there is not at all "stop leaning on God." As our English version rightly puts it, the sense is "stop meddling with God." It is a question of context, not of Hebrew.

The believer who acts on his own, apart from the will of the Lord, meddles with God. He leaves the place of true usefulness — perhaps thinking he is doing good work — and, like king Josiah, he is bound to disguise himself. "Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall."

Did Josiah ask counsel of the LORD? Was the good man guided by the LORD when he went out against Neco, who did not intend to attack Judah? The evidence is conclusive that Josiah acted of himself and was not directed by the LORD. The Egyptian king rebuked him. Neco had not come against Judah. God had commanded him to hurry and fight against Assyria. Josiah should have known what the prophets had announced about Assyria and its overthrow ... Perhaps pride played an important part here too. It would have greatly humbled him to give up his uncalled-for warfare.

"He disguised himself." Why do this, if he was sure he was acting for God? Why wear a mask, if he was walking the path God appointed? ... Josiah had no command to fight at Megiddo, and so he could not count on divine protection. "He disguised himself," but that did not shield him from the enemy's arrow.

We are told about another godly king, Uzziah, that "he was marvelously helped, till he was strong. But when he was strong, he grew proud, to his destruction," and we may regard Josiah's case as somewhat parallel. Through a lack of watchfulness, the flesh in a believer will grow fat on the very blessings God gives. And a lifted-up heart both deafens and blinds.

It is true that there are voices around us that lure us. Even in religious circles men tell lies while pretending to be sincere, and "many false prophets have gone out into the world" ... But the soul that walks humbly with God, with a heart subject to His Word, will readily tell the difference between His voice and the voice of the deceiver.

Josiah had been set apart from all the course of this world to serve the Lord, he and his people, and we see him meddling in politics! He does not have to wait long for the result: the world punishes us for intervening in its affairs. ... From the moment he entered on this path, Josiah lost his ability to discern the mind of the Lord, and he could no longer recognize the word of His mouth.

Most gladly would we linger over the brilliant and stirring scene in the opening verses of 2 Chronicles 35, but we must bring this paper to an end, and we shall only glance very quickly at the solemn and warning close of Josiah's history. It stands in sad and painful contrast with all the rest of his most interesting career, and sounds a note of warning in our ears that we are bound to take seriously.

Amazing words! Does it strike Christian readers as strange that God should speak through a pagan king to one of His own choicest servants? The Holy Spirit adds His own comment to Pharaoh's message: "Josiah … did not listen to the words of Necho from the mouth of God." This is a remarkable example of the sovereignty of God. He works and speaks through whomever He pleases.

God may speak to believers through any agency. We should be awake to discern whether it may be God speaking even through an unbeliever. At the very least, Necho's words should have made Josiah pause. He ought to have weighed God's will in this matter.

Josiah a few years earlier had a sensitive conscience about the will of God. When the book of the law was read before him, he quietly recognised the divine voice and obeyed it. Why did he not recognise the same voice speaking to him through Pharaoh Necho? How easy it is for any of us to fall into a state of spiritual dullness! Then the voice of God fails to move us, even when it sounds out clearly through some chosen instrument or passage of Scripture.

As long as Josiah walked in the light of God's revelation, his path was lit by the bright beams of God's face. But then he tried to act for himself, and to travel off the straight and narrow way of simple obedience. At that moment dark and heavy clouds gathered around him, and the course that had opened in sunshine ended in gloom. … "He disguised himself." Why do this, if he was conscious of acting for God? Why wear a mask, if he was walking the path God appointed? … We can count on God to the fullest extent if we are walking in His way. But we have no security at all if we try to travel off the line God has drawn. Josiah had no command to fight at Megiddo, and so he could not count on divine protection. "He disguised himself," but that did not shield him from the enemy's arrow.

Josiah takes the Assyrian's side against Pharaoh, something God had in no way commanded him to do. What did he have to do with propping up the tottering structure of this power, Israel's cruel enemy? … Was he commissioned by God to correct world affairs or to lend his support in them? … Josiah had been set apart from all the course of this world to serve the Lord, he and his people. Yet we see him meddling in politics! He does not have to wait long for the result: the world punishes us for interfering in its affairs.

It is a serious thing for a child of God to persist in doing his own will. Josiah went to Megiddo when he should have stayed at Jerusalem, and the archers shot him, and he died. Jonah went to Tarshish when he should have gone to Nineveh, and he was thrown into the sea. Paul insisted on going to Jerusalem though the Spirit told him not to, and he fell into the hands of the Romans. Now, all these were true, earnest, devoted servants of God. But they failed in these things. God overruled their failure for blessing, yet they still had to reap the fruit of it.

The people were completely unworthy of such a godly ruler. Despite the outward reformation, their wickedness called loudly for judgment. So the righteous was taken away from the evil to come. Seen from this angle it was a mercy to the man himself; but to the nation, humanly speaking, it was a terrible disaster.

"He disguised himself." Why do this, if he was conscious of acting for God? Why wear a mask, if walking the path God has appointed? ... We can count on God to the fullest extent if we are walking in His way. But we have no security at all if we try to travel off the line God has appointed. Josiah had no command to fight at Megiddo, and so he could not count on divine protection. "He disguised himself," but that did not shield him from the enemy's arrow.

But Josiah, in this matter, did not enquire of the Lord: it was his own eagerness that led him to stand against Pharaoh Necho. And as if he had a feeling that he would die, he disguised himself, which was not needed if he had faith in God. He did not even have the faith of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat was supporting and helping Ahab. Even so, he would not go to battle without asking the prophet of the Lord. And he went into battle wearing his royal robes. Jehoshaphat was preserved; Josiah was slain. The God of battles, who guided the arrow that gave Ahab his death-wound, controlled the archers that slew Josiah.

A chance arrow struck Ahab despite his disguise, guided no doubt by the God of Judgement. Something similar happened to Josiah. "And the archers shot King Josiah. And the king said to his servants, 'Take me away, for I am badly wounded'" (2 Chron. 35:23). His servants lifted him out of his fighting chariot and put him into another; but sadly, he was soon dead! Megiddo was the scene of a great victory when Barak and Deborah moved in faith against the Canaanites, for God was with them (Judges 5:19). Now Megiddo was the scene of a crushing defeat, for God was not with Josiah in his foolish venture.

Necho came against Assyria, and had no quarrel with Josiah. ... Josiah should also have known a proverb "copied by the men of Hezekiah." It says: "Whoever meddles in a quarrel not his own is like one who takes a passing dog by the ears" (Prov. 26:17). ... It was not of faith — otherwise why "disguise" himself? There is no record of any prayer before the battle. The records of so many of his godly ancestors do show such prayer. This rash act of Josiah seems hard to explain. ... And God, who is the God of peace and righteousness, would not preserve him, as He had Jehoshaphat.

There is another way, too, to look at Josiah's early end. The people were completely unworthy of such a godly ruler. Their wickedness, despite outward reform, cried out for judgment. So the righteous was taken away from the evil to come. Seen this way, it was a mercy to the man himself. For the nation, humanly speaking, it was a terrible disaster.

It is a serious thing for a child of God to persist in doing his own will. Josiah went to Megiddo when he ought to have stayed at Jerusalem, and the archers shot him, and he died. Jonah went to Tarshish when he ought to have gone to Nineveh, and he was thrown into the deep. Paul insisted on going to Jerusalem though the Spirit told him not to, and he fell into the hands of the Romans. Now, all these were true, earnest, devoted servants of God. But they failed in these things. God overruled their failure for blessing, yet they still had to reap the fruit of their failure, for "our God is a consuming fire" (Heb. 12:29).

The Holy Spirit does not expand on it, but He has recorded it for our learning. It is always His way to give us men as they were. He writes the history of their "deeds, first and last" — good and bad — one as well as another. He tells us of Josiah's piety at the "first," and of his wilfulness at the "last." He shows us that as long as Josiah walked in the light of divine revelation, his path was lit up by the bright beams of God's face. But then he tried to act for himself — to walk by the light of his own eyes, off the straight and narrow way of simple obedience. At that moment dark and heavy clouds gathered around him, and the course that had opened in sunshine ended in gloom. Josiah went against Necho without any command from God. Indeed, he went in direct opposition to words spoken "from the mouth of God." He meddled with strife that did not belong to him, and he reaped the consequences.

He disguised himself, which proves that he had no good conscience about the matter. We are not surprised that Ahab wore a disguise on the battlefield, while shamefully urging his friend Jehoshaphat to expose himself in his royal robes. Ahab knew that God's sentence of judgement hung over his head (1 Kings 22:30), and he would escape it if he could. But Josiah should have known better. The God who has revealed Himself so fully to us in the person of His Son is not served by underhand methods at any time. In everything we do, whether in the world or in the church, let everything bear the full light of day.

He had not even the faith of Jehoshaphat. Jehoshaphat supported and helped Ahab, yet he would not go into battle without enquiring of the prophet of the Lord, and he went wearing his royal robes. Jehoshaphat was preserved; Josiah was slain. The God of battles guided the arrow that gave Ahab his death-wound. That same God controlled the archers who killed Josiah. Mercy took him away from the evil to come (Isa. 57:1); but there was judgment in the way it happened, and that judgment fell on the guilty city unmixed.

A striking example of this was seen somewhat later when God-fearing Josiah was taken away so that his eyes might not see the disasters that were coming. It could then be said of him that "he shall enter into peace."

In truth the death of this king was the sunset of the kingdom of Judah. A few gleams of light may have lingered afterwards in Jehovah's mercy. But these soon faded into utter night, for both kings and people were deaf to the pleadings of the prophets. It seems the people grasped at once what Josiah's death meant… It was therefore a true national sorrow. The Holy Spirit here points back to it, to illustrate the mourning that will follow when their crucified and glorified Messiah is revealed to their hearts.

Josiah set himself with his whole heart and soul to bring worshippers of carved images back to the living and true God. He was a bright and shining light, and the people were willing for a time to walk in his light. "All his days" they did not turn away from following the Lord. Yet at heart, according to the Lord's own declaration, they were still idolaters. They walked in the light of Josiah, not in the light of the Lord. They lived on the breath of Josiah, not on the words that came out of the mouth of God. They thought to live under the shadow of Josiah, not under the shadow of the Almighty.

"All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah" (2 Chron. 35:24). They might well mourn, for the disaster in the valley of Megiddo was the end of the Kingdom of Judah. The crash had to come, for Jehovah had spoken of it years before. But it is sad that the folly of one of the brightest saints who ever lived should have hastened it! This thought should take every last trace of self-confidence out of us. We are poor stewards of God at best! Only His grace can keep us right for a single hour.

Josiah's death hit Jeremiah and all the people hard, and they lamented greatly. Well they might. His reign had been like a shining light in the middle of Israel's darkness, and that darkness closed in again fast after his death. In fact, the laments of the singing men and women became a regular memorial of Josiah (v. 25).

Do not confuse these "lamentations" with Jeremiah's book "Lamentations." That book was written over the fall of Jerusalem, and so it came after it.

The death of the godly Josiah (2 Chron. 35:24-25) was what directly prompted these songs of unmatched feeling, for Israel's last hope died with this godly king.

Real mourning grows out of sympathy for a neighbour, but it became twisted into shallow professionalism. Lamenting sank into an art, and some won a reputation for their skill (Amos 5:16). Mourning women stood ready to come and take up a wailing for the dead (Jer. 9:17-18), sometimes in songs of mourning (2 Chron. 35:25). The Lord was always tender and gracious to the distressed and afflicted, yet He rebuked this show of hollow grief at the house of the ruler whose daughter had died. He said to the hired mourners, "Why are you making a commotion and weeping? The child is not dead but sleeping."

It was with his whole heart and soul that Josiah set himself to work to bring worshippers of carved images back to the living and true God. He was a bright and shining light, and the people were willing for a season to walk in his light. "All his days" they did not turn away from following the Lord. Yet at heart, according to the Lord's own declaration, they were idolaters still. They walked in the light of Josiah, not in the light of the Lord. They lived on the breath of Josiah, not on the words that came out of the mouth of God. They thought to live under the shadow of Josiah, not under the shadow of the Almighty.

The death of this monarch was the sunset of the kingdom of Judah… The people seem to have sensed at once what Josiah's death meant. We read that "all Judah and Jerusalem mourned for Josiah… and made them an ordinance in Israel." So it was a true national sorrow. The Holy Spirit points back to it here to illustrate the mourning that will follow when their crucified and glorified Messiah is revealed to their hearts.

It is always His way to give us men as they were — to write the history of their "deeds, first and last" — good and bad — one as well as another. He tells us of Josiah's piety at the "first," and of his willfulness at the "last." He shows us that as long as Josiah walked in the light of God's revelation, his path was lit by the bright light of God's face. But the moment he tried to act for himself — to walk by the light of his own eyes, to step off the straight and narrow way of simple obedience — dark and heavy clouds gathered around him. The course that had opened in sunshine ended in gloom. Josiah went against Necho without any command from God; indeed, he went in direct opposition to words spoken "from the mouth of God." He meddled with a quarrel that was not his, and he reaped the consequences.

The Book is a record — a history of things as they are. Scripture describes its characters with no effort at what might be called "dressing up" for appearances. In this the absolute truthfulness of God's word stands in striking contrast with ordinary biography. In those books, the subject appears only at his best. Judging from the narrative, you would gather there were no faults to record. But when we come to the Scriptures, the very men whose faith is our example appear as they were. Noah's faith in building the ark is not allowed to hide his drunkenness after he came out of it. Again and again we are told of Abraham's faith, and his acts of unbelief are not passed over either. David, the king, the man after God's heart, had the same passions we do, and Scripture records his sins in the same detail as his acts of faith.

"First and last" — Is there not a division here between the earlier and the later part of his reign? And is the dividing line the point where he turned away from the Lord?

At the judgement seat of Christ everything will come out in the light of God. God records our goodness as well as our badness. No unfortunate last deeds will blot out our first deeds, done when love was fresh and warm. God will remember everything and weigh it. "The LORD is a God of knowledge, and by him actions are weighed" (1 Sam. 2:3). Not "counted," as if quantity were everything with God, but "weighed"; quality is the chief thing with Him.

It is a serious thing for a child of God to persist in doing his own will. Josiah went to Megiddo when he should have stayed at Jerusalem, and the archers shot him, and he died. Jonah went to Tarshish when he should have gone to Nineveh, and he was thrown into the deep. Paul persisted in going to Jerusalem though the Spirit told him not to, and he fell into the hands of the Romans. Now all these were true, earnest, devoted servants of God, but they failed in these things. God overruled their failure for blessing, yet they still had to reap the fruit of it.

Josiah was the last good king to sit on the throne of David, "till HE come whose right it is." He was also the last whose body found a resting place among the kings, in "the tombs of his fathers."

Poor Josiah! He finished badly, but despite his sorry blunder, he is "away from the body and at home with the Lord" (2 Cor. 5:8). We shall meet him in the presence of the Lord Jesus at His coming. No blunders there; each saved one will bear the image of the First-born Son for ever. It is all of grace.