Day 142 · Part 8: Two Kingdoms
The Book in the Temple
In the Story
In context
Josiah becomes king at eight, after his father Amon is killed, and “didn’t turn away to the right hand or to the left” (2 Kings 22:1–2). At sixteen he begins to seek God, and at twenty to clear the land of idols (2 Chronicles 34:3). In his thirteenth year the Lord calls Jeremiah, a priest’s son from Anathoth, who answers, “I am a child,” and is told, “Don’t be afraid” (Jeremiah 1:1–8).
In Josiah’s eighteenth year, while the temple is being repaired, the high priest Hilkiah finds “the book of the law” (2 Kings 22:3–8). When it is read to him, Josiah tears his clothes, and the prophetess Huldah sends word that because his heart was tender, he will go to his grave in peace (22:11–20). He reads the book to all the people, makes a covenant, and keeps a Passover like none since the judges (23:1–3, 21–22).
At Bethel he burns bones on Jeroboam’s altar, as the man of God from Judah had cried out some three hundred years before, even naming Josiah (23:15–16; 1 Kings 13:2). It is a hard reading in places: he kills the priests of the high places in Samaria’s towns on their altars (2 Kings 23:20). He dies at Megiddo fighting Pharaoh Necoh, and Jeremiah laments for him (23:29; 2 Chronicles 35:25).
Your word is a lamp to my feet, and a light for my path.
Psalms 119:105 · Josiah heard the book of the law read and made a covenant to walk after the Lord; the psalm says, “Your word is a lamp to my feet.”
In the Bible
World English Bible, as published by eBible.org (public domain).
2 Kings 22
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2 Kings 23:1–30
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2 Chronicles 34
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2 Chronicles 35
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Jeremiah 1
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Zephaniah 1:1
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Zephaniah 1:14–15
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Zephaniah 3:16–17
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A hymn for today
Trust and Obey · words by John H. Sammis
- When we walk with the LordIn the light of His word,What a glory He sheds on our way!While we do His good will,He abides with us still,And with all who will trust and obey.RefrainTrust and obey,For there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus,But to trust and obey.
- Not a shadow can rise,Not a cloud in the skies,But His smile quickly drives it away;Not a doubt nor a fear,Not a sigh nor a tear,Can abide while we trust and obey.RefrainTrust and obey,For there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus,But to trust and obey.
- Not a burden we bear,Not a sorrow we share,But our toil He doth richly repay;Not a grief nor a loss,Not a frown nor a cross,But is blest if we trust and obey.RefrainTrust and obey,For there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus,But to trust and obey.
- But we never can proveThe delights of His loveUntil all on the altar we lay;For the favor He shows,And the joy He bestows,Are for all who will trust and obey.RefrainTrust and obey,For there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus,But to trust and obey.
- Then in fellowship sweetWe will sit at His feet,Or we'll walk by His side in the way;What He says we will do,Where He sends we will go;Never fear, only trust and obey.RefrainTrust and obey,For there's no other wayTo be happy in Jesus,But to trust and obey.