Josiah’s Reformation, conclusion

JOSIAH’S REFORMATION, CONCLUSIONTEXT: 2 Kings 23:1-20; 2 Chron. 34:8 — 35:19 SUMMARY: The religious reformation inaugurated by Josiah is one of the boldest in the history of national Israel, and it falls into two major areas, which are parallel to the work of sanctification or conversion in the Christian life: (1) the rooting out of idolatry, and (2) the restoration of proper worship.I. THE ROOTING OUT OF IDOLATRY.A. Josiah’s Early Reforms (2 Chr. 34:1-7), twelfth year of his reign.B. Josiah’s Later Reforms (2 Kings 23:1-20), eighteenth year of his reign, when Josiah determined to purge from the land:1. pagan idols in the temple,2. the personnel of pagan worship.3. the worship of the heavens.4. the abominations of previous kings. —the rooftop altars, —the idols of Solomon, —the altar at Bethel.5. icons of idolatry in the northern territories.II. THE RESTORATION OF PROPER WORSHIP (2 Chr. 34:8 — 35:19).A. The Repair of the Temple (34:8-13), the center and gathering place of proper worship.B. The Restoration of the Book of God’s Law (34:14-18). The only right religion is revealed religion.C. The Solemn National Observance of Passover, (35:1-19). If the gospel is lost, all is lost.