SWHW Bible Reading Plan: June 2021Sample

Top Takeaway from Malinda Fuller:

King Josiah. His name is familiar. We've heard it before.

However, if all you read is 2 Chronicles 35, it's easy to be caught up in awe of his wealth, leadership, and devotion to the Lord: 

"He appointed the priests to their offices and encouraged them in the service of the house of the Lord. And he said to the Levites... ‘Now serve the Lord your God and his people Israel. Prepare yourselves ... as prescribed in the writing of David king of Israel and the document of Solomon his son.’" 2 Chronicles 35:2-4

"Then Josiah contributed to the lay-people, as Passover offerings for all present, lambs and young goats from the flock to the number of 30,000 and 3,000 bulls; these were from the king's possessions." 2 Chronicles 35:7

"No Passover like it had been kept in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet. None of the kings of Israel had kept such a Passover as was kept by Josiah, and the priests and the Levites, and all Judah and Israel who were present, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem." 2 Chronicles 35:18

The details in Chapter 35 are numerous: the specifications of how the Levites prepared for and then observed Passover and the 7-day Feast of Unleavened Bread. And the most remarkable detail is an easy one to skim over. In verse 19, it says, "in the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah, this Passover was kept."

This statement seems insignificant unless you know how old Josiah was at the time. For that, we have to go back to Chapter 34 (or to 2 Kings Chapter 22), where his story begins: "Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem" (verse 1). 

So, if he was only eight when he became king, and during the 18th year of his reign this monumental Passover was observed, that would have made him 26 years old. Not exactly the typical age for exceptional world leaders, especially when you consider that Passover had been forgotten for almost 400 years (since the days of Samuel).

After 18 years as the king, of walking "in the ways of the Lord like his father David" (2 Kings 22), we know that Josiah decided to restore the temple. During this time, the Book of the Law was found, which led to the epic Passover celebration that we read about in 2 Chronicles 35.

What happened between year one and eight of his reign we don't know. The only detail of that time in his life is the name of his mother, Jedidah. (His father had died after only two years on the throne, and he had been an evil king; see 2 Chronicles 33:22 and 2 Kings 22:1).

We know that Josiah's love for the Lord started as a young child. He was sixteen when he began seeking the Lord and twenty when he decided to purge his kingdom of idolatry and lead his people back to true devotion to God. Talk about every parent's dream: to see their child earnestly running after God and fulfilling his purpose--especially at such a young age! 

There must have been some godly influence: 

• Prayers offered on his behalf. 


• Lessons taught, and then perhaps taught again. 


• Words prophetically declared over his life and reign.

There must have been someone who was encouraging him at 16 when he became passionate about following the Lord. Perhaps God handpicked leaders who surrounded Josiah during this tender age of his life. We can be sure he had teachers and advisors who offered wisdom and guided the young king, those who also ran with God’s commands and carried out His instructions. There was a great crowd of people who made the Passover celebration as incredible as it was.

We all want to be like Josiah, to be the one who does something unlike what has ever happened before. But we sometimes forget that Josiah didn't act alone. Are you?

What young person are you sowing into? Is there someone that you are mentoring and leading, praying for, and affirming?

Who are you serving? Are there people you are running with who are also pursuing God and carrying out the things He instructs you to do together? Who is celebrating with you?

Father, we know that Your plan for us is to be in relationship with others; we are better together. Show us those You've placed in our lives to run with, mentor, and cheer on. Please help us to see what's inside of others and call it out as well as serve well those You've called us to serve.