Life Lessons From Josiah, Mary And DinahSample

JOSIAH

In spite of his evil heritage, Josiah remembered his Creator in the days of his youth (Ecclesiastes 12:1). He surrounded himself with positive influences. God testified to his good life and moral standards. l 5, 440). Josiah’s grandfather was the notorious king Manasseh (2 Kings 21:1-16) who was responsible for loosening all restraints on morality and idolatry.  Josiah’s father was Amon who continued the evil practices of Manasseh (v.19-23). 

Josiah became a king when he was 8 years old. When he was 16 years old, he began to demonstrate a genuine commitment to God (2 Chronicles 34:3a). At 20, he began a purge of idolatry in Judah (v.3b). When he was 26 years old, Josiah launched an aggressive reformation by which true worship to Jehovah was restored (v.8).  Like Jesus cleaning the temple with a whip, King Josiah cleaned the Temple in Jerusalem that had been defiled. He reformed the community from all evils. 

What was the reason that Josiah could be a revivalist in spite of his questionable background? There were people who influenced Josiah for good, like Hilkiah, the priest, Shaphan, the scribe and Huldah, the prophetess. Hilkiah was the one who found the Law Book and initiated the reformation movement (v.14-15). Shaphan’s inspiring speech would have helped Josiah to spur the reformation (v. 16-19). Huldah was the prophetess who interpreted the word of God to the young king. They took prominent roles in the life of Josiah. The encouraging lesson here is that one can be raised in the worst possible environment yet choose to follow God and also be a reviving and reforming tool in His hands! Josiah responded to the positive influencers in his life. 

Jeremiah, Josiah’s contemporary and also a man called by God at a young age, has recorded the testimony of God regarding the king: "Josiah did what was right and just, so all went well with him.  He defended the cause of the poor and needy, and so all went well. Is that not what it means to know me?” (Jeremiah 22:15-16) This sums up Josiah’s life.

In spite of his evil heritage, Josiah remembered his Creator in the days of his youth (Ecclesiastes 12:1). He surrounded himself with positive influencers. God testified to his good life and moral standards.