2 Kings

2 Kings 23: Josiah removes the idols

Begin in prayer

Before we read about the covenant and the Passover, let us draw near to the Lord together. Ask Him to give us a heart that turns to Him, and to show us Jesus, the One the Scriptures point to.

I have called with my whole heart. Answer me, Yahweh! I will keep your statutes.

Psalm 119:145

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that Josiah turned to You with all his heart, and that Your word stands. Help us to turn from every idol and to trust Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Josiah gathers the elders and all the people, and reads the book of the covenant to them in the LORD's house. He makes a covenant to walk after the LORD and keep His commandments with all his heart, and the people agree. He burns the vessels made for Baal and the Asherah outside Jerusalem, and he breaks down the high places from Geba to Beersheba. He destroys the altar at Bethel. He keeps the Passover as the book commands, and no Passover like it had been kept since the days of the judges. Yet the LORD does not turn from His burning anger against Judah. Because of Manasseh's provocations, He says He will remove Judah from His sight.

As you read 2 Kings 23, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

Josiah turned to the LORD with all his heart, yet the LORD's word of judgment still stood.

Josiah read the book of the covenant to all the people in the LORD's house (verses 1 and 2). He made a covenant to walk after the LORD with all his heart, and the people agreed (verse 3). He burned the vessels made for Baal, broke down the high places, and destroyed the altar at Bethel (verses 4 to 15). The people kept a Passover like none since the days of the judges (verses 21 to 23). There was no king like Josiah, who turned to the LORD with all his heart, soul and might (verse 25). Yet the LORD did not turn from His great wrath against Judah, because of Manasseh's provocations (verse 26). He said He would remove Judah from His sight, as He had removed Israel (verse 27). Josiah was killed at Megiddo by Pharaoh Necoh of Egypt, and the kings after him did evil (verses 29 to 37). The best reform in Judah did not turn aside the LORD's word of judgment.

How does 2 Kings 23 show us that Josiah turned to the LORD with all his heart, yet the LORD's word of judgment still stood?

Josiah turned to the LORD with all his heart.

Josiah stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD (verse 3). He walked after the LORD, and kept His commandments, with all his heart and all his soul (verse 3). There was no king like him before him, and none like him after (verse 25).

The LORD's word stands, even when judgment comes.

The LORD did not turn from His great anger against Judah (verse 26). He said that He would remove Judah from His sight, as He had removed Israel (verse 27). Parents, you may want to explain verses 4 to 20 in your own words, without details.

Judah keeps the Passover as the book commands.

Josiah told the people to keep the Passover, as it was written in the book of the covenant (verse 21). No Passover like it had been kept since the days of the judges (verses 22 and 23). Christ our Passover has been sacrificed (1 Corinthians 5 verse 7).

Memorise

There was no king like him before him, who turned to Yahweh with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might

2 Kings 23:25

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, am I turning to the LORD with all my heart?

Josiah stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after Him with all his heart. He read the words of the book to all the people. Jesus is the Mediator of a better covenant.

No reform could carry away Judah's sin. Jesus died on the cross in His people's place, and He put away their sin once for all (Hebrews 9 verse 26). God raised Him from the dead on the third day.

Come to Him now, and turn from your sin with all your heart. Everyone who trusts Jesus receives forgiveness, and He gives His people a heart that turns to God.

Parent's note

Tell your children that Josiah turned to the LORD with all his heart. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Parents, you may want to explain verses 4 to 20 in your own words, without details. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God that His word stands, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

Zion shall be redeemed with justice, and her converts with righteousness.

Isaiah 1:27

Father, thank You that Your word stands forever. Thank You for Jesus, the true Son of David, who died for sinners and rose again. Give each child grace to turn from sin and trust Him, and to turn to You with all their heart. Help us to walk in Your ways this week. Amen.