Having rediscovered “the book of the law,” Josiah quickly learned what God had been expecting of His covenant people, and how far they had fallen short of His demands. But Josiah does more than mourn over their sin. Now fully conscious of the terrible threat of wrath hanging over the nation, the godly king resolves to do whatever he can to effect change. On every front, Josiah seeks to bring the people into accord with the Law of God. 2 Kings 23 begins with all of Judah entering into a new commitment to follow the LORD and wholeheartedly keep His commandments (v 1-3). This renewal of the covenant is followed by a thorough ongoing reform program, designed to purge the land of Manasseh’s lingering influence. Pagan vessels are removed from the temple and pagan clergy are deposed. Pagan idols are demolished, along with pagan altars. Everything related to the worship of Baal or Asherah or the sun and moon is not only removed, but desecrated, so as to prevent any future restoration to religious usage (v 4-14). At Bethel, Josiah fulfills a 300-year-old prophecy (1 Kings 13:2) by pulling down Jeroboam’s high place, reducing it to dust, & defiling it by burning human bones on it (v 15-20). Furthermore, a Scriptural Passover is observed for the first time since the days of the judges who ruled Israel. In celebrating this festival then, Josiah’s faithfulness to God not only exceeded Hezekiah, but even David (v 21-23). He got rid of mediums, psychics, and other God-substitutes (v 24). Here was a unique king. There was no one like Josiah for wholeheartedly shaping his life after God’s law. Not only outwardly, but inwardly, he was all God’s (v 25). And yet, none of it seemed to do any good. “Still the LORD did not turn from the burning of His great wrath.” As we have seen already, Manasseh had put Judah beyond any hope. At this point, no amount of repentance or reform could dampen the righteous anger of the LORD. Judgment is coming (v 26-27). But Josiah already knew this from Huldah’s prophecy in the previous chapter (22:16-17, 20). So why did he press on in his zeal to promote faithfulness to God if it wouldn’t save the nation, cool divine wrath, or make any eventual difference? Because God is worthy of our absolute loyalty, with or without incentives. Those who love God as Josiah did will keep His commandments even if it does not increase economic prosperity, resolve personal problems, or relieve emotional distress. Whatever challenges we face today, may we simply do what is right in God’s eyes, and leave the outcome with Him. For further meditation: