Day 21: Josiah

In the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David. — 2 Chronicles 34:3

King Josiah was a descendant of the famous King Hezekiah. He led one of the greatest revivals among God’s people since King Solomon’s days despite facing significant challenges and coming to power at age eight. At that time, the northern kingdom of Israel had been destroyed by Assyria, and the southern kingdom faced threats from Egypt. His grandfather, King Manasseh, did much evil in the eyes of the Lord and had aroused the Lord’s anger by introducing idols and sacrificing children. His father, Amon, also served idols and ruled for only two years before his death (2 Chronicles 33:2–6, 21–23).

How could Josiah remain unaffected in such a chaotic world? Surrounded by pagan influences, what brought the dramatic change? Josiah chose to seek the Lord. The Bible tells us that “while he was still young, he began to seek the God of his father David.” It seems that, as he did so, he came to love the Lord and value the things the Lord values. Ultimately, he was willing to lead all of Israel back to the Lord, paying the price to establish the Lord’s kingdom.

This should not surprise us. It’s a principle we see throughout the Scriptures, from King David’s experience reflected in Psalm 34 to Isaiah’s great invitation in Isaiah 55 (esp. verse 6) and Jesus’s instruction in the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 6:33). When we seek the Lord and value the things of the Lord, we find Him, He helps us and He brings about the goodness of His kingdom as is His desire.

However, patience and perseverance are often required as we seek the Lord and try to advance His kingdom, as Josiah’s story demonstrates. It wasn’t until the twelfth year of his reign that he began to take action. At that time, “he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles, and idols” (2 Chronicles 34:3). Why didn’t Josiah take immediate action to cleanse Jerusalem? Why wait twelve years? We don’t know for sure. It may be that at age twenty Josiah was considered an adult and thus afforded more credibility. It is also likely that he faced significant opposition. Under Manasseh, Judah had practised idol worship for eighty years. During that time, society became familiar with these customs, and festivals were established around them. The habits of idol worship were deeply intertwined with the political, economic and social fabric of the nation. Therefore, reform required great courage, which undoubtedly grew as Josiah diligently sought the Lord.

Indeed, Josiah’s courage is shown in that his reformation did not limit itself to Jerusalem. He extended his influence to “the towns of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon, as far as Naphtali, and in the ruins around them” (2 Chronicles 34:6–7). This was a risky move that could have offended Assyria. Yet Josiah boldly pursued the Lord’s will and the honour of the Lord he was seeking.

Many of us find ourselves in similarly challenging circumstances – facing family pressure because of our faith, hoping to change workplace culture or confronting corruption in our city. In Hong Kong, conflicts over differing perspectives on social issues divide families and churches. Increased migration in recent years also challenges our churches as they struggle to retain young people and to convey gospel hope that resonates in the lives of those who choose to stay. In such situations, we feel powerless and yearn for God’s intervention. The story of King Josiah encourages us that his success stemmed from a simple heart seeking the Lord. Through actively participating in God’s work, we, too, gain a deeper understanding of Him and the strength to face our challenges. Josiah may not have envisioned the extent of his influence at eight, but God worked through him, resulting in an impact beyond imagination.

This Advent, let us all cultivate a heart focused on seeking the Lord and trust in the words of the psalmist: “My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me” (Psalm 63:8 ESV).