2 Kings 23:24-27

G. AN APPRAISAL OF THE JOSIANIC REFORMATION 23:24-27

TRANSLATION

(24) Moreover those with familiar spirits, the wizards, the teraphim, the idols, and all the abominations. which were found in the land of Judah and in Jerusalem Josiah removed in order to fulfill the words of the Law which was written in the book which Hilkiah the priest had found in the house of the LORD. (25) Like him there was not before him a king who turned unto the LORD with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might according to the Law of Moses; and after him one did not arise like him. (26) Nevertheless, the LORD did not turn from the fierceness of His great anger with which He was angry against Judah because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked Him. (27) And the LORD said, Also Judah I will remove from before My face like I removed Israel, and I will reject this city which I have chosen, viz., Jerusalem, along with the house of which I have said, My name shall be there.

COMMENTS

Occult practices had flourished during the long reign of Manasseh. Josiah was determined to banish these devilish deeds from the land. Those with familiar spirits, i.e., mediums, and wizards who pretended to possess supernatural knowledge, were removed. The teraphim or household gods were destroyed whenever possible. Idols (gillulimshapeless, formless things) probably again refers to objects used in private, perhaps figures used as amulets. Private superstitious practicesabominationswere uncovered and banished. Josiah conscientiously tried to fulfill all of the precepts of the Law of Moses with regard to these matters (2 Kings 23:24). In his exact obedience to the Law, Josiah was without equal among the kings of Judah[656] (2 Kings 23:25).

[656] In 2 Kings 18:5 the writer makes a similar comment about Hezekiah. A close examination, however, indicates that Hezekiah is praised for his trust in God and Josiah for his obedience to the Lord.

In spite of Josiah's valiant efforts to reform the nation, the anger of the Lord was not turned aside from Judah. The king meant well; but it was too late for the nation to repent sincerely and heartily. At best, the reformation only gained a temporary reprieve for Judah. The wicked practices introduced by Manasseh provoked the Lord to wrath, and the corruption of that sin had not been removed from the hearts of the people. God was not about to punish one generation for the sins of another. The sinister shadow of Manasseh still hovered over the hearts of the men of Judah in spite of all that Josiah had attempted to do (2 Kings 23:26).[657] Therefore, God determined to remove Judah from His sight just as He earlier had removed Israel. Jerusalem, the city chosen by God as the residence of His ark and His Temple, would be abandoned (2 Kings 23:27)[658]

[657] See especially Jeremiah 5.

[658] God chose Jerusalem when he led David to bring the ark there. He confirmed the choice of Jerusalem when at the Temple dedication fire came down and consumed the burnt offering and the glory of the Lord filled the house (2 Chronicles 7:1).