Family History of Josiah’s Parents
Josiah was the son of King Amaziah and a mother whose name is unknown. King Amaziah was the ninth king of the kingdom of Judah and is mentioned in 2 Chronicles 25:1, saying that he ruled from 776-745 B.C. He was a strong and powerful ruler and is thought to have expanded Judah’s territory by invading Philistia, which was the land to the east of Judah. He also set up an armament at Mount Latam to guard the southeastern border of Judah from enemies. He ruled for thirty one years and is believed to have reigned with justice. He was also a worshiper of the one true God.
Josiah’s mother name is unknown, but his father’s chosen successor was his son Uziah, who died without any children, leaving the kingdom without an heir. This came as a shock to Amaziah and his people, who had long expected Uziah to succeed his father as king. Amaziah looked to the younger son of his wife, Josiah, to take up the duties of the throne.
Josiah was the youngest of his brothers, his older brothers being Shallum, Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim, all of whom died at an early age. Josiah, however, grew up to become an exceptional king and his father’s chosen successor to the throne. He was already a devoted believer in the Lord at a very young age, and as soon as he was declared king, he immediately focused on restoring the kingdom of Judah to its former glory.
Reign of Josiah
At the young age of 8, Josiah took his throne in Judah and began his reign in 649 B.C. He immediately began to make sweeping reforms in the kingdom, restoring the land after decades of idol worship and neglect. Josiah is likely the most beloved king of Judah, as he put much of his energy into restoring the temple and rebuilding the city of Jerusalem under the reforms of the reformer Levites. He was an extraordinary leader who put the spiritual well-being of his kingdom before his own.
Josiah had a great respect for the law of the Lord, and was determined to follow it, even when it disagreed with his own desires. He devoted his reign to following the laws and commands of God, which he found in the Scriptures. He ordered the centralization of worship to the temple in Jerusalem, destroyed all idols and pagan altars, and removed all the foreign gods and goddesses from the temple. He then ordered a comprehensive reading of the law in the temple precincts and made a covenant with the Lord and His people before his death.
Under his reign, the kingdom of Judah was prosperous and its people were content. Josiah also ordered a great synchronization of religious law, which was reflected in the rebuilding of the temple and city of Jerusalem. He even ordered a grand celebration of the Passover to celebrate the first time the law was ever obeyed in full.
During the reign of Josiah, many reforms were done, one of which was the restoration of the land when it had been subjected to idolatry and neglect. He did this by restoring the laws of God, which he ordered to be inscribed on stone and buried beneath the temple. He also ordered the temple to be free from foreign gods and goddesses.
Josiah’s Legacy
The legacy of Josiah is perhaps unmatched among all of the kings of Judah. His reign was considered a period of national reconciliation and contentment, and he is remembered in Scripture as one of the greatest kings of all time. He was generous and gracious, and he devoted his reign to serving God. His legacy lives on in the books of the Bible, where he is remembered as an exemplary ruler who obeyed the Law of God and sought to serve Him.
Josiah was seen as an indication of the Lord’s favor. He was considered a righteous and just ruler and a herald of the coming Messianic age. He is an example of a wise and just ruler who upheld the laws of God and sought to provide security and safety to his people. Due to his faithfulness, the kingdom of Judah was able to survive the Babylonian Exiles and the hardships of exile, eventually restoring itself. Though his reign was brief and tragedy struck at the end of his life, Josiah remains one of the most beloved and celebrated kings in the Bible.
Evaluation of Josiah
Josiah was an amazing leader who brought stability and security to the kingdom of Judah. He followed the law of God with great dedication and respect, and was seen as an example of justice and righteousness. He devoted much of his reign to restoring the temple and rebuilding the city of Jerusalem. His legacy lives on in the books of the Bible, where he is remembered for his devotion to God and his up-holding of the Law.
Josiah’s reforms and his commitment to the law of God had a lasting effect on the people of Judah, which can still be seen today in the way that Judean’s revere the law and strive to live righteous and faithful lives. His legacy will continue to be remembered for generations to come, due to the great impact he had on the kingdom of Judah in its darkest hour.
Josiah’s Death
Josiah’s end came in 609/608 B.C. while leading a campaign against the Egyptian Pharaoh Neco. Despite protests from his closest advisors, Josiah insisted on going into battle personally, where he was killed by a spear in the chest. This caused great grief and dismay among the people of Judah, who mourned the loss of their beloved king.
Though Josiah’s life was cut short, his legacy lives on through the books of the Bible, where he is remembered as a great and faithful king who obeyed the law of God and sought to protect and serve his people. In his death, Josiah became a martyr and symbol of justice and faithfulness to future generations.
Josiah’s Religion
Josiah was well known for his faith and devotion to the one true God, and was remembered as an exemplary believer in the Lord. He was determined to follow the laws of God, as seen in his reforms and relocation of pagan idols. He showed great respect for the Scriptures, which he had read in the temple, and ordered a grand celebration of the Passover in the temple courts. His faithfulness was a beacon of hope for a suffering people and is remembered even today.
Josiah was a great believer and servant of God and a devoted leader to his people. His obedience to the Lord’s law and his dedication to the faith of Judea set him apart from the other kings of his time. He was a devout worshiper of the Lord, whose legacy and example still inspire people to this day.
Josiah’s Influence on History
The influence of Josiah can be seen in many areas of Judean history. His reforms brought the kingdom of Judah into a new era of reform and progress, and the reforms he put in place were the catalyst for the kingdom’s survival through the Babylonian exile. He is remembered as an inspiration of justice and piety to future generations, and his example continues to be seen in Judean law and customs.
Josiah’s reforms in the kingdom of Judah also created a new age of prosperity, justice and spirituality. His understanding of the law of God and assurance in following it brought the people security and contentment. He is an example of the good that a devoted ruler can bring to a nation, and his influence is still seen today in the devotion and reverence for the law among the people of Judah.
