33 Josiah removed all the detestable idols from all the territory belonging to the Israelites, and he had all who were present in Israel serve the Lord their God. As long as he lived, (JOSIAH WAS A BULWARK FOR THE WORSHIP OF HIS GOD!) they did not fail to follow the Lord, the God of their fathers. 2 Chronicles 34

34 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. 2 Chronicles 34

As a result of the assassination of Amon, by his officials and in his own palace, Judah had another boy king, a figurehead only until he reached maturity. Josiah, his name means, ‘God supports and heals’, WAS THE LAST TRUE KING OF JUDAH. Several others succeeded him for brief periods, but the Bible says very little about any of them. Josiah was the last ruler who showed any fear or respect before the God of his fathers. He postponed God’s retribution during his lifetime, but eventually the exile to Babylon happened.

The account of Josiah, shows similarities with that of Samuel and even the Lord. They grew, ‘in wisdom and stature and in favour with God (First) and man’. 1 Samuel 2:26

³ In the EIGHTH YEAR of his reign, while he was still young, HE BEGAN TO SEEK THE GOD of his father David. In his TWELFTH YEAR HE BEGAN TO PURGE JUDAH AND JERUSALEM of high places, Asherah poles and idols. 2 Chronicles 34

⁸ In the EIGHTEENTH YEAR of Josiah’s reign, to purify the land and the temple, he sent Shaphan son of Azaliah and Maaseiah the ruler of the city, with Joah son of Joahaz, the recorder, to repair the temple of the Lord his God.

As Josiah grew so did his impact for the Kingdom of God, he removed the false from the land of his people. A lot of times the removal of distractions, opportunities to indulge the flesh, are key steps on the road to restoration. The good kings of Judah kept the wickedness out of their kingdoms.

³³ Josiah removed all the detestable idols from all the territory belonging to the Israelites, and he had all who were present in Israel serve the Lord their God. AS LONG AS HE LIVED, (JOSIAH WAS A  BULWARK FOR THE WORSHIP OF HIS GOD!) they did not fail to follow the Lord, the God of their fathers.

That’s probably as good a place as any to conclude the history of the kings of Judah. Some were bad and some good, but Josiah stood in his time as a bulwark against evil and the protection of his people. God help us to be the same and more in our days!

God bless and keep you today. Immanuel, God is with us.