In the days of King Josiah of Judah, a great and solemn Passover was celebrated in Jerusalem, a feast unlike any that had been observed since the days of the prophet Samuel. The land was filled with a sense of reverence and anticipation, for Josiah was a king who sought the Lord with all his heart, soul, and strength. He had purged Judah and Jerusalem of idolatry, tearing down the high places, smashing the sacred pillars, and cutting down the Asherah poles. He had restored the Temple of the Lord, which had fallen into disrepair during the reigns of his wicked predecessors. Now, in the eighteenth year of his reign, Josiah resolved to celebrate the Passover in accordance with the Law of Moses, as it was written in the Book of the Covenant.
The king summoned all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem, along with the priests and Levites, to the Temple. The Levites, who were consecrated to the Lord, stood before the king, their robes gleaming white, their faces set with determination. Josiah addressed them, saying, “Consecrate yourselves to the Lord and prepare your brethren, that they may do according to the word of the Lord by the hand of Moses.” The Levites obeyed without delay, purifying themselves and assisting the people in their preparations. They slaughtered the Passover lambs, sprinkled the blood on the altar, and divided the burnt offerings among the families of Israel.
The scene in Jerusalem was one of bustling activity and solemn joy. The streets were filled with the sound of singing and the aroma of roasting meat. Families gathered in their homes, their tables laden with unleavened bread, bitter herbs, and the flesh of the Passover lamb. The Levites moved among the people, ensuring that every detail of the feast was carried out according to the Law. They sang psalms of praise and thanksgiving, their voices rising in harmony as they recounted the mighty deeds of the Lord, who had delivered Israel from bondage in Egypt.
Josiah himself set an example of devotion and generosity. He provided from his own possessions thirty thousand lambs and young goats for the Passover offerings, as well as three thousand cattle. The leaders of the Levites—Conaniah, Shemaiah, Nethanel, and their brothers—contributed five thousand lambs and five hundred cattle. The priests and Levites worked tirelessly, roasting the Passover offerings with fire, boiling the holy offerings in pots, caldrons, and pans, and distributing them quickly to all the people.
The celebration lasted for seven days, during which the people ate the Passover meal, offered sacrifices, and gave thanks to the Lord. There was great rejoicing in Jerusalem, for nothing like this Passover had been celebrated since the days of Samuel the prophet. The hearts of the people were turned toward the Lord, and they remembered His covenant and His faithfulness.
Yet, even in the midst of this great celebration, there was a shadow over Josiah’s reign. The prophetess Huldah had foretold that the wrath of the Lord would not be turned away from Judah, for the sins of Manasseh and the people’s idolatry had provoked Him to anger. Josiah, however, remained steadfast in his devotion. He continued to lead the people in righteousness, removing all the mediums and spiritists from the land and ensuring that the Law of the Lord was read and obeyed.
In the days that followed, Josiah led his army to confront Pharaoh Neco of Egypt, who was marching through the land to assist the king of Assyria. Despite Neco’s warning that he had no quarrel with Judah and that God had commanded him to hurry, Josiah disguised himself and went out to battle. In the plain of Megiddo, the archers struck him down. Mortally wounded, Josiah was carried back to Jerusalem, where he died and was buried in the tombs of his fathers. All Judah and Jerusalem mourned for him, for they had lost a king who had sought the Lord with all his heart.
Thus ended the reign of Josiah, a king who had brought revival to Judah and celebrated the Passover with unparalleled devotion. His legacy was one of faithfulness and zeal for the Lord, a light that shone brightly in a time of great darkness. Yet, the people’s hearts soon turned away, and the judgment foretold by the prophets came to pass. But in the days of Josiah, the Lord was honored, and His name was glorified in the land.
