Josiah-Reaching the Finish Line

By Mary Vee
II Kings 23, II Chronicles 35

From the Journals of Josiah

I felt like I was running a race and would not touch the finish line until every idol in Judah and Israel had been destroyed and every priest who taught the people to worships these idols removed.

And when my men and I found no more to destroy, I went home--to Jerusalem.

At last my kingdom could freely worship God and not be distracted by evil idols. 

We celebrated the passover feast. What a huge gathering. All the people came and gave their offerings to the Lord. I appointed godly men as priests and encouraged them in their duties.

I then called the Levites together, the priestly tribe of Israel and told them to put the sacred ark in the temple that Solomon, son of David, king of Israel built. I then called the rest of the people to join us. "Prepare yourselves by gathering into families according to the directions written by David king of Israel and his son Solomon."

They stood in the holy place, each tribe with a group of Levites nearby. The offerings were given to the priests and the people did what the Lord commanded through Moses. 

I provided a total of thirty thousand sheep and goats, three thousand cattle, all from my personal possessions for all the working people who were there.

My officials also gave to the people and the priests twenty six hundred sheep and goats and three hundred cattle. Others freely gave as well. 

The priests stood in their places with the Levites in their divisions as I had ordered and offered the gifts to the Lord as was written in the Book of Moses. The priests worked until nightfall.

At this time the entire service of the Lord was carried out for the celebration of the Passover and the offerings on the altar as I had ordered. We welcomed our Israelite brothers.

The Passover had not been done like this in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel. None of the kings of Israel had ever celebrated such a Passover like we did today having the priest, the Levites, and all Judah and Israel. This Passover was celebrated in this, my eighteenth year of reign. 

I don't think I have experienced a more wonderful time than this celebration of what God has done for us. I can't wait to celebrate again next year.

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1. What did Josiah insist on finishing before he went home?
2. Where was his home?
3. Who is Josiah?
4. What special celebration did Josiah lead the people in having?
5. What special group of people came to the celebration?