The Reforms of Josiah

Josiah’s reforms represent one of the most important moments in the nation of Judah’s history. The major reforms of Josiah’s reign did not occur until the second half of his reign. It is likely that the nation’s spiritual condition during the first half of Josiah’s reign was similar to the previous reigns of Manasseh and Amon. Second Chronicles reports that “in the twelfth year he began to cleanse Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherahs, the idols, and the images” (2 Chr 34:3).

In 628 bc, Josiah resolved to worship Yahweh alone and began a systematic purge of the land. From Galilee to Judaea he removed the places of idolatrous worship. Most notably, he destroyed the altar and high places at Bethel—burning the bones of the priests who had officiated there during the reign of Jeroboam I.

A few years later, in 622 bc, he restored the temple in Jerusalem and reinstituted proper worship of Yahweh according to the regulations of Moses. This was made possible by the discovery of a copy of the “Book of the Law of Yahweh by the hand of Moses” by Hilkiah, the high priest (2 Chr 34:14). It is probable that nearly (or even all) other copies of this scroll had been destroyed during the reign of Manasseh.

When the book was read to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the people made a commitment to abide by the commandments of the covenant (2 Chr 34:29–33). The ceremony of covenant renewal was followed by a celebration of Passover (2 Chr 35:1–19). The reforms of Josiah would continue until his death in 609 bc, but were not continued by any of his successors. Josiah proved to be the final “good” king of Judah.

Israel P. Loken