What Josiah would have attempted next we'll never know, for his future course was set by the discovery of the scroll of the Law in the temple. Previous to this, for an unknown period of time, the people had been without a copy of the Law. Imagine, Josiah sought the LORD without having personally read the Scriptures, with only second-hand knowledge of God. The reforms of Josiah appear even more amazing given this limitation. When the Scriptures were read in his presence, however, far from being reassured because of his personal faithfulness, Josiah was moved tear his robes in mourning as he realized just how far his nation had been, for generations, from the standard of God's holiness as outlined in the Law of Moses.
Knowing his people's sinfulness, Josiah humbly sought the LORD's forgiveness on their behalf, only to learn that the day of God's wrath in judgment could not be diverted. God granted Josiah the mercy of peace during his day, because of his faithfulness, but assured him that soon judgment would come. In response, Josiah gathered the people of Judah and Israel, from least to greatest, to rededicate themselves to the Covenant publicly. This act of devotion to the LORD, knowing that the future held judgment, not blessings, was a further example of how thoroughly Josiah's generation sought the LORD.
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