Josiah’s religious conviction

II Chronicles 34:3
Ptr. John Mark Montano

2 Chronicles 34:1-3
1
Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years. 2
And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and
declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left. 3 For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet
young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge
Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten
images.

Intro:
Josiah was one of the best kings of the nation of Judah. He was, in fact, the last good king they had; for
after he died, the kings that followed him were not worth much, and they helped cause the demise of
the kingdom of Judah. But Josiah performed gallantly. In our verse we have a record of some of his royal
performance, namely, his pursuing of God and his purifying for God.

1. Pursuing of God.
v3 For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of
David his father.
Josiah’s pursuit of God was done in spite of the fact that he was just sixteen (he was eight when
he became king and the pursuit began when he had reigned eight years), and that he was a
sovereign.
Both youth and high position are often used as excuses for not seeking God. Young people say
they have plenty of time to seek God and so do not pursue spiritual things. And a person in high
position in government often claims they are too busy to seek God. Politicians are not known for
being religious. But Josiah was different. Though sixteen and a sovereign, he earnestly sought
after God. Youth and high position are no excuse for not seeking God.

2. Purifying for God.

and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the
groves, and the carved images, and the molten images.
Josiah engaged in spiritual reform which was desperately needed in Judah. It is instructive to
note that this reform occurred after Josiah first sought the Lord himself. If you are going to lead
others on the right path, you must first get on the right path yourself. If you are going to purify
the land, you must first purify yourself.
You must get right with God if you are going to get others right with God. A corrupt government
will not improve the nation’s character. Corrupt politicians will only corrupt the character of a
nation, not improve it.

Further study:
Daily Bible Reading: Sermonettes #1.