Restorationism is a movement within Christianity that seeks to restore authentic Christianity and live it out today. King Josiah serves as a premium example of someone who discovered his beliefs and practices diverged significantly from scripture. He initiated reforms to restore true worship. Should we be content with our received traditions and comfortable beliefs or courageously unleash the Bible on them?
Deuteronomy 5:6-10 In the Ten Commandments, God told his people not to worship other gods or carved images. He told them that he desires exclusivity in their relationship.
2 Kings 21:3-7 Over time, God’s people turned to idolatry. Manasseh devoted himself to worshipping these other gods and installing facilities for their worship in Yahweh’s temple.
2 Kings 22:3-10 Manasseh’s grandson, Josiah, began to clean out and repair the temple of God. In the process of restoring Yahweh’s house, the high priest found the book of the law, which probably refers to the book of Deuteronomy.
Deuteronomy 13:1-18 God explicitly and repeatedly forbade his people from worshipping other gods. In fact, he instituted the death penalty for those who attempted to persuade others to join them in worshipping idols.
2 Kings 22:11-20 After learning how far from the correct belief and practice the people had veered, Josiah tore his clothes and inquired what to do from Huldah, a prophetess of Yahweh. She told him that destruction was coming, but not in his lifetime.
2 Kings 23:4-15 Not content to rest on his laurels, Josiah initiated wide sweeping reforms throughout the land, including destroying the high places and cleaning out foreign worship elements from Yahweh’s house.
2 Kings 23:25 The author of the book of Kings remembered Josiah for his efforts as one of the best kings of all time.
King Josiah challenged the establishment based on The Scriptures. He did the right things with focus, and was not “politically correct”. He humbled himself and Yahweh gave him peace. Good example for us all.