Grasp the Gospel — Bible Comprehension Quizzes

2 Kings 23 Devotional

When Reform Is Not Enough

“Neither before nor after Josiah was there any king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, according to all the Law of Moses.”2 Kings 23:25 (BSB)

Josiah gathers the people and reads the Book of the Covenant aloud in the house of the LORD (23:2). He pledges to follow the LORD with all his heart and soul, and the people join the covenant (23:3). Then he clears the land of idols, burning what was made for Baal and tearing down altars, even at Bethel, as a man of God had foretold (23:4-16). No king before or after him turned to the LORD so completely (23:25).

And yet the next verse turns on the word nevertheless. The LORD did not turn from his burning anger over all that Manasseh had done (23:26). Josiah is killed at Megiddo, and the sons who follow him do evil (23:29-37). Even the best reform could not change a nation's heart. Through Jeremiah the LORD promised a new covenant, with his law written on his people's hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-33), a promise fulfilled in Jesus. Your hope rests not on reform finally succeeding, but on the God who changes hearts from within.

To think about: Where are you hoping that your own improvement will finally be enough, instead of trusting God to change your heart?

About 2 Kings 23: Josiah’s Covenant and Reform

Josiah reads the covenant book to all Judah, renews the covenant, and purges idolatry from the temple, the land and Bethel, fulfilling prophecy. He keeps a great Passover and is praised as unmatched, yet God’s anger over Manasseh stands. Josiah is killed at Megiddo, and Pharaoh Neco replaces Jehoahaz with Jehoiakim.

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