Then the king summoned all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. And the king went up to the Temple of the LORD with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, along with the priests and the prophets—all the people from the least to the greatest. There the king read to them the entire Book of the Covenant that had been found in the LORD’s Temple. [2 Kings 23.1-2]
This short passage and the story that follows tell of an amazing transformation in Judah. Josiah took the Law of God seriously. So seriously did he take the Law that he read it to all his people!
What followed this reading of the Law in Judah was a thorough cleansing of Judah. Josiah got rid of everything that was not of God. Everything. Not a king before or after Josiah was like him.
The list of Josiah's efforts to cleanse Judah is not a short one. It is surprising to learn some of the practices that the people of Judah had included in their worship of God that Josiah put an end to.
What is the point of this story though?
It is to show that true dedication to God is revealed in action. True repentance will require subsequent purging to confirm its validity and sincerity.
I mean, Josiah had to remove both male and female Temple prostitutes (yes, from the Temple of God)!
This tells me that sin knows no boundaries. This tells me that God's people today need to be willing (and even anxious) to seek out and remove pagan, Godless things from our lives, devotion, and places of worship! Call it a "witch hunt" if you will, but be sure of this, God is pleased with pure devotion - holiness.
The list will grow long in our day just as it did in Josiah's day - but the junk must go.
Father, help us to get the junk out. Help us to rid ourselves, our homes, and our land of everything that does not please You.
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