2 Crônicas 34

2 Crônicas 34

MacArthur - During Josiah’s reign, power in the ancient Near East passed from Assyria to Babylon. Nineveh, the capital of Assyria, was destroyed by the Babylonians in 612 B.C. and the whole Assyrian empire fell in 609 B.C. Josiah was the last good king of the Davidic line prior to the Babylonian exile. Jeremiah (Jer 1:2), possibly Habakkuk, and Zephaniah (Zep 1:1) were prophets to Judah during the reign of Josiah. (See MacArthur Study Bible) James Barker: I read that at eight years of age, eighty percent of a person's character is formed. The apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, "And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus" (II Timothy 3:15). Josiah means “Yahweh supports” “Yahweh heals” or “Yahweh upholds” -- “Yo / Yah” (יֹ / יָהוּ) refers to Yahweh (the LORD). The root idea: ʾāšāh / šāh (support / sustain / heal) gives us the sense is to uphold, sustain, or restore. In short Josiah expresses the idea that “The LORD is the One who sustains and restores.” Josiah's name beautifully fits his life for he restored true worship (2 Kings 22–23), he repaired the temple, he brought at least temporary spiritual healing to Judah and he upheld the Law of the LORD. In short Josiah was not just a label but was almost his mission statement. Matthew Henry Notes: Chapter: 34 Summary During the reign of Josiah, Judah experienced a final opportunity for repentance before judgment. Though he became king at eight (2 Chronicles 34:1) and later “did right in the sight of the LORD” (2 Chronicles 34:2), seeking God from his youth (2 Chronicles 34:3), Josiah led a sweeping reform—destroying idolatry (2 Chronicles 34:3–7), repairing the temple, rediscovering the Law (2 Chronicles 34:14–19), and renewing the covenant (2 Chronicles 34:29–33). Yet despite this sincere revival, the people’s hearts were not fully changed, and after his reign, Judah quickly declined, leading to inevitable judgment (2 Kings 23:25–27). Before we see Judah and Jerusalem ruined we shall yet see some glorious years, while good Josiah sits at the helm. By his pious endeavours for reformation God tried them yet once more; if they had known in this their day, the day of their visitation, the things that belonged to their peace and improved them, their ruin might have been prevented. But after this reign they were hidden from their eyes, and the next reigns brought an utter desolation upon them. In this chapter we have, I. A general account of Josiah's character (2Ch 34:1, 2). II. His zeal to root out idolatry (2Ch 34:3-7). III. His care to repair the temple (2Ch 34:8-13). IV. The finding of the book of the law and the good use made of it (2Ch 34:14-28). V. The public reading of the law to the people and their renewing their covenant with God thereupon (2Ch 34:29-33). Much of this we had 2 Ki. 22. 2Ch 34:1-7 Concerning Josiah we are here told, 1. That he came to the crown when he was very young, only eight years old (yet his infancy did not debar him from his right), and he reigned thirty-one years (v. 1), a considerable time. I fear, however, that in the beginning of his reign things went much as they had done in his father's time, because, being a child, he must have left the management of them to others; so that it was not till his twelfth year, which goes far in the number of his years, that the reformation began, 2Ch 34:3. He could not, as Hezekiah did, fall about it immediately. 2. That he reigned very well (2Ch 34:2), approved himself to God, trod in the steps of David, and did not decline either to the right hand of to the left: for there are errors on both hands. 3. That while he was young, about sixteen years old, he began to seek after God, 2Ch 34:3. We have reason to think he had not so good an education as Manasseh had (it is well if those about him did not endeavour to corrupt and debauch him); yet he thus sought God when he was young. It is the duty and interest of young people, and will particularly be the honour of young gentlemen, as soon as they come to years of understanding, to begin to seek God; for those that seek him early shall find him. 4. That in the twelfth year of his reign, when it is probable he took the administration of the government entirely into his own hands, he began to purge his kingdom from the remains of idolatry; he destroyed the high places, groves, images, altars, all the utensils of idolatry, 2Ch 34:3, 4. He not only cast them out as Manasseh did, but broke them to pieces, and made dust of them. This destruction of idolatry is here said to be in his twelfth year, but it was said (2 Ki. 23:23) to be in his eighteenth year. Something was probably done towards it in his twelfth year; then he began to purge out idolatry, but that good work met with opposition, so that it was not thoroughly done till they had found the book of the law six years afterwards. But here the whole work is laid together briefly which was much more largely and particularly related in the Kings. His zeal carried him out to do this, not only in Judah and Jerusalem, but in the cities of Israel too, as far as he had any influence upon them. QUESTION - Who was King Josiah in the Bible? ANSWER - Josiah was the king of Judah from approximately 640 to 609 B.C. His reign in Jerusalem is discussed in 2 Kings 22–23 and 2 Chronicles 34–35. Josiah was the son of King Amon and the grandson of King Manasseh—both of them wicked kings of Judah. Yet Josiah was a godly king and known as one of the world’s youngest kings; he began his reign at age 8 after his father was assassinated. A highlight of Josiah’s reign was his rediscovery of the Law of the Lord. 2 Kings 22:2 introduces Josiah by saying, “And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.” In the eighteenth year of his reign, he raised money to repair the temple, and during the repairs the high priest Hilkiah found the Book of the Law. When Shapan the secretary read it to Josiah, the king tore his clothes, a sign of mourning and repentance (2 Kings 22:10–11). King Josiah called for a time of national repentance. The Law was read to the people of the land, and a covenant made between the people and the Lord: “The king stood by the pillar 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 this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people joined in the covenant” (2 Kings 23:3). Many reforms followed. The temple was cleansed from all objects of pagan worship, and the idolatrous high places in the land were demolished. Josiah restored the observance of the Passover (2 Kings 23:2–23) and removed mediums and witches from the land. 2 Kings 23:25 records, “Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him.” God’s wrath would later come upon Judah due to the evil King Manasseh had done (2 Kings 23:25), but the judgment was delayed because of Josiah’s godly life and leadership (2 Kings 22:20). Josiah died in battle against the Egyptian Pharaoh Necho at Megiddo. King Josiah was buried in Jerusalem in his own tomb, and his son Jehoahaz took the role of king. Much can be learned from Josiah’s life that is positive. First, Josiah shows the influence a person can have from a very young age. Even children have enormous potential to live for God and to have great impact. Second, Josiah lived a life fully committed and obedient to God and was blessed for it. Third, Josiah properly responded to God’s Word. By the time he became king, the Scriptures had long been neglected, and Josiah’s heart was smitten by the failure of his people to honor God’s Word. Josiah had Scripture read to the people and made a commitment to live by it. “‘Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I have spoken . . . I also have heard you,’ declares the Lord” (2 Kings 22:19).GotQuestions.org D A Carson - For the Love of God, Combined Edition, Volumes One and Two (BORROW) - IN THE MEDITATION FOR November 9, I briefly reflected on the reforming zeal of Josiah, who led the last attempt at large-scale reformation in Judah (2 Kings 22). About three-quarters of a century had passed since the death of Hezekiah, but much of this was presided over by Manasseh, whose reign of more than half a century was almost entirely devoted to pagan evil. Now we return to the same event, this time recorded in 2 Chronicles 34. Here we may pick up some additional and complementary lessons. (1) The rediscovery of the book of the Law (probably Deuteronomy) in the rubbish of the temple discloses to Josiah how dangerous is Judah’s position: the wrath of God hangs over her head. Josiah tears his clothes, repents, and orders reform. Moreover, he instructs his attendants to inquire of the prophetess Huldah (2Ch 34:22) as to how imminent these dangers are. God’s response is that disaster and judgment on Jerusalem are now inevitable—“all the curses written in the book that has been read in the presence of the king of Judah” (2Ch 34:24). The pattern of deliberate and repeated covenantal breach has become so sustained and horrific that judgment must come. However, the Lord adds, “Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you” (2Ch 34:27)—and Josiah is assured that the impending disaster will not occur during his lifetime. There are two obvious lessons here. First, we are afforded a glimpse of what God expects from us if we live in a time of cataclysmic declension: not philosophizing, but self-humbling, transparent repentance, tears, contrition. Second, as so often in the Bible, precisely because God is so slow to anger and so forbearing, he is more eager to suspend and delay the judgment that is the necessary correlative of his holiness than we are to beg him for mercy. (2) The picture of the king himself calling together the elders of Judah and solemnly reading to them the Scripture (2Ch 34:29–31) is enormously moving. There is nothing that our generation needs more than to hear the Word of God—and this at a time of biblical illiteracy rising at an astonishing rate. Moreover, it needs to hear Christian leaders personally submitting to Scripture, personally reading and teaching Scripture—not in veiled ways that merely assume some sort of heritage of Christian teaching while actually focusing on just about anything else, but in ways that are reverent, exemplary, comprehensive, insistent, persistent. Noth-ing, nothing at all, is more urgent. PAUL APPLE - BIG IDEA: THE RECOVERY OF THE WORD OF GOD MOTIVATES REFORMATION (Covenant Renewal and Passover) INTRODUCTION: Iain Duguid: Josiah is another example of faithfulness expressed in temple worship cleansed of idolatry and performed in accordance with the laws of Moses and the prescriptions of David (2Ch 35:4, 6, 12, 15). He can be compared with Joash (2Ch 24:1–27): both became king as a child, collected funds for temple renovations, and led in covenant renewal, but, unlike Joash, Josiah remained faithful “all his days” (2Ch 34:33). A closer association is with Hezekiah (2Ch 29:1–32:33): in Chronicles only these two kings are said to be like David in doing “what was right in the eyes of the Lord” (2Ch 29:2; 34:2), with their reigns characterized by “good deeds” (2Ch 32:32; 35:26; a form of Heb. hesed, “loyalty, kindness, steadfast love”); and both narratives focus on temple renovation leading to Passover celebration involving people from the whole land. Both kings showed some flaw late in their reign: Hezekiah’s led to his “humbl[ing] himself” and the averting of wrath (2Ch 32:25–26), but Josiah’s led to his death, which through consequent Egyptian control was the beginning of the road to exile (35:20–24). For Kings, Josiah is the greatest king (2 Kings 23:25), while for Chronicles the Passover celebration is the pinnacle, “kept by Josiah, and the priests and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem” (2 Chron. 35:18). August Konkel: In Chronicles, Josiah begins to seek the Lord in his eighth year, while still in his youth. His efforts to cleanse Jerusalem and Judah of idolatrous worship begin in his twelfth year, the earliest age at which he could officially carry out his duties as a king. Frederick Mabie: The looming demise of Assyria created a power vacuum in the ancient Near East that Egypt and Babylon were eager to fill, particularly with respect to control of the land bridge known as Israel. Moreover, as a result of the weakening of the Assyrian Empire during the reign of Josiah, Judah began to experience what might be described as “pseudo-independence.” This newfound freedom likely played a significant role in the wide array of reforms enacted by Josiah in both Judah and the former territory of the northern kingdom (2Ch 34:6-7). Josiah’s reforms took place in three periods: his eighth year (ca. 633 BC; 2Ch 34:3), his twelfth year (ca. 629 BC; 2Ch 34:3), and his eighteenth year (ca. 623 BC; 2Ch 34:8). Note that the prophetic ministries of Zephaniah and Jeremiah likely supported the reforms enacted by Josiah. J.A. Thompson: After a brief introduction (2Ch 34:1-2) the Chronicler’s narrative is presented in five sections spread over 2Ch 34-35: a) introduction (2Ch 34:1-2); b) the removal of pagan cults form Jerusalem, Judah, and Israel (2Ch 34:3-7); c) temple repairs and the discovery of the law book (2Ch 34:8-28); d) covenant renewal (2Ch 34:29-33); e) Josiah’s Passover (2Ch 35:1-19); and f) Josiah’s death (2Ch 35:20-27). 2 Chronicles 34:2 He did right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of his father David and did not turn aside to the right or to the left. right in the sight: 2Ch 14:2 17:3 29:2 1Ki 14:8 15:5 2Ki 22:2 did not turn aside to the right or to the left - De 5:32 17:11,20 28:14 Jos 1:7 23:6 Pr 4:27 Related Passages: 2 Kings 22:2+ He did right in the sight of the LORD and walked in all the way of his father David, nor did he turn aside to the right or to the left. A GOOD RHYME: DOING RIGHT IN GOD'S SIGHT! He did right (yashar) in the sight of the LORD (Pr 15:3), and walked in the ways of his father David and did not turn aside to the right or to the left - Note the writer uses 3 descriptions of his godly character - do right, walk right, walk straight! Josiah is notable in that not only did he walk in the ways of his father David, the writer adds a phrase not used of any of the other kings of Judah, not turning aside! Josiah is a living illustration of the truth of 2Ch 16:9+ "For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His." 🙏 THOUGHT- Oh, to have a heart that is completely His! Not only was that Josiah's heart but he followed the man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22+) giving us a great pattern to seek to imitate in the power of the Spirit! LORD, enable us to each be "imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises." In Jesus' Name. Amen. (Heb 6:12+) Right (03477)(yashar from the verb yashar = to be smooth, straight or right) is an adjective that means straight; reliable, level, pleasing; upright; righteous. Yashar only rarely is used literally of that which is straight (Ezek 1:7). Yashar can refer to something physical like a path, but even in those uses is often a metaphorical description of one's conduct or behavior (Ps 107:7). Most uses refer to that which is right in an ethical or an emotional sense, as agreeable or pleasing. It is fitting that God is the standard of yashar (what is "straight") (Ps 92:15, called the "Upright One" - Isa 26:7). God's Word is described as upright (right) (Ps 19:7) as are His judgments (Ps 119:137) and His way (Ps 107:7). "God made men upright (Ge 1:27), but they have sought out many devices." (Eccl 7:29) When God tore the kingdom from Solomon for his failure to obey (God had given him a promise conditioned on whether he would "do what is right [yashar]" in God's sight - 1Ki 11:38), he reminded him that he was not like David "who followed Me with all his heart, to do only that which was right (yashar) in My sight." (1Ki 14:8). Again we read "David did what was right (yashar) in the sight of the LORD, and had not turned aside from anything that He commanded him all the days of his life, except in the case of Uriah the Hittite." (1Ki 15:5). We see the phrase "did what was right (yashar) in the sight of the LORD" in the description of a number of the Kings of Judah (Asa - 1Ki 15:11, 2Chr 14:2, Asa's son Jehoshaphat - 1Ki22:43, 2Chr 20:32, Jehoash [Joash] = 2Ki 12:2, 2Chr 24:2, Amaziah = 2Ki 14:3, 2Chr 25:2, Azariah = 2Ki 15:3, Jotham = 2Ki 15:34, 2Chr 27:2, Hezekiah = 2Ki 18:3, 2Chr 29:2, 2Chr 31:20, Josiah = 2Ki 22:2, 2Chr 34:2, Uzziah = 2Chr 26:4) Ahaz "did not do what was right in the sight of the LORD." (2Ki 16:2, 2Chr 28:1) Invisible Observer [Josiah] did what was right in the sight of the Lord . . . ; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. --2 Chronicles 34:2 Some people are demanding that the high school football coach in their community be fired because the team doesn't have a winning record. According to the mother of one player, they object to his demand that his players "don't cheat, play dirty, or try to take out an opposing player by hurting him." I am told that some coaches expect their players to do whatever they think they can get away with to win a game. The primary concern is to escape the eyes of the referees. Personally, I like the emphasis of the coach who was being criticized for his high standards. He's a Christian, and he wants his players to know that they are being observed by a much higher authority--One who sees everything, including what the referees miss. The Bible tells us that Josiah "did what was right in the sight of the Lord" (2 Chr. 34:2). Undoubtedly, many people criticized him bitterly for tearing down their religious shrines, but that mattered little. He was more concerned about doing what was right in "the sight of the Lord." Thinking It Over Have you been tempted to cheat or lie to get what you want? How do you feel when you give in to temptation? How do you feel when you do what is right? Why? Doing right is never wrong. Right & Wrong: A Case For Moral Absolutes Why Would Anyone Want To Be Holy? Early Influences [Josiah] did what was right in the sight of the Lord. —2 Chronicles 34:2 Josiah, whose father and grandfather were extremely wicked, became one of the best kings in Judah's history. What made him so different? What made him so committed to doing what was right? Undoubtedly he was influenced by the people who were close to him in his early years. His mother most likely shaped and molded his life, as did the "people of the land" who secured the throne for him when he was only 8 years old (2 Chronicles 33:25-34:1). The people whose lives touch ours when we are young, or when we become believers, make a great impact on us. Looking back over my 80 years, I can see this clearly. My parents had the greatest influence in my decision to trust Christ at a tender age. My blind grandmother also touched my life when she talked about the goodness of the Lord and recited Bible passages from memory. Several faithful pastors, school teachers, and others have left an imprint on my life for God and for good. Thinking It Over What people are within my sphere of influence? Does my example impact others for good or for bad? Whose example must I follow? (1 Corinthians 11:1). Our best heritage is a godly example. How Can A Parent Find Peace Of Mind? 2 Chronicles 34:3 For in the eighth year of his reign while he was still a youth, he began to seek the God of his father David; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim, the carved images and the molten images. while he was still a youth 1Ch 22:5 29:1 Ps 119:9 Ec 12:1 2Ti 3:15 he began to seek the God of his father David: 2Ch 15:2 1Ch 28:9 Pr 8:17 Mt 6:33 purge: 2Ch 33:17,22 Lev 26:30 2Ki 23:4,14 the high places: 2Ch 30:14 Related Passages: 2 Chronicles 33:15 He (MANASSEH) also removed the foreign gods and the idol from the house of the LORD, as well as all the altars which he had built on the mountain of the house of the LORD and in Jerusalem, and he threw them outside the city. PURSUING GOD LEADS TO PURGING GODLESSNESS For in the eighth year of his reign while he was still a youth, he began to seek (darash; LXX - zeteo - investigate, try to find, look for) the God of his father David - Interesting he does not say the God of father Manasseh! 🙏 THOUGHT - Note that qualifying phrase "while he was still a youth." It is never too early to seek the LORD! But as an octagenarian I would add it is never too late to seek the LORD! "Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near." (Isaiah 55:6) "‘You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." (Jer 29:13) "Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be added to you." (Mt 6:33+) And - This "hinge word" connects the godly actions described below as the natural fruit of godly seeking. in the twelfth year he began to purge (taher; LXX - katharizo - literally thoroughly clean for sacred use!) Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, the Asherim (Asherah), the carved images and the molten images (massekah) - Josiah had been pursuing the holy God and what was unholy in the kingdom became clearer and clearer, prompting him to begin to take radical action to purge idolatry from the land. 🙏 THOUGHT - Is there not a profound and practical lesson in this passage? Observe the unmistakable pattern: seeking God leads to the purging of sin. This is not merely a historical observation from Josiah’s life—it is a timeless spiritual principle meant to be reproduced in every believer. When our heart is truly set on pursuing God, sin begins to lose its grip. What once attracted, entertained, or entangled gradually becomes distasteful and disentangling! The process is not forced legalism, but the natural outflow of a transformed affection one sees in progressive sanctification. As we draw nearer to Him, His holiness shines the light on our inner person and exposes what is unclean. His beauty eclipses and surpasses what once seemed desirable. Indeed, this is the divine pattern for sanctification: devotion precedes purification. We do not first cleanse ourselves in order to seek God; rather, as we seek Him, He cleanses us more and more. The more we behold His glory, the more the passing pleasures of sin fade into insignificance (Heb 11:25+). As the hymn so beautifully expresses, “the things of earth grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.” Thus, the call is clear: pursue Jesus earnestly, and trust that as you do, His Spirit and Word will faithfully and progressively refine your heart, reorder your desires, and empower you to turn from sin, including that sin that so easily entangles you (Heb 12:1+). Here is the chronology of King Josiah for context: 632 BC: 8th year (age 16) began to seek God 628 BC: 12th year (age 20) began reforms to purge Jerusalem even BEFORE he heard the Book of the Law! 627 BC: Word of the LORD came through Jeremiah in the thirteenth year of his reign 622 BC: 18th yr (age 26) discovery of the Book of the Law - Covenant Renewal & Passover (2Ki 23:23 2Ch 34:8, 35:19) 612 BC: Nineveh of Assyria falls 609 BC: Josiah falls asleep in Jesus. Final Assyrian forces were defeated at Battle of Carchemish Henry