The breadth of Josiah's reformation was an evidence of Israel's spiritual condition. Time would prove that the hearts of the people were not given over to the Lord as even with Josiah's leadership and reforms the nations conformity was only to a form of godliness and external. Paganism and idolatry had totally and completely corrupted the nation.
Josiah spent six years implementing various reforms which included: 1. removing from the temple and destrolying the elements associated with pagan worship; 2. removing the idolatrous priests; 3. tearing down the houses of the male prostitutes; 4. defiling the idolatrous places of worship so they wouldn't be used; and 5. removing and destroying the 'high places' in both the northern & southern kingdoms.
Despite the reforms judgment was still forthcoming as the hearts of the people remained unchanged.
After Josiah's death, a quick succession of 3 of his sons, and then grandsons - all godless - followed on the throne.
The power of the Assyrians was diminishing while Babylon's was growing and spreading. The prophet Jeremiah had the difficult and unpleasant assignment of ministering God's message to the people at this time. But Israel had passed the point of no return in their provocation of God's anger under the reign of their previous ungodly king, Manasseh. Hence, Jeremiah's message was unwelcome and unheeded as now the southern kingdom quickly moved toward judgment.
Featuring a sermon puts it on the front page of the site and is the most effective way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands including all mobile platforms + newsletter.
Text-Featuring a sermon is a less expensive way to bring this sermon to the attention of thousands on the right bar with optional newsletter inclusion. As low as $30/day.
In the fall of 1969, Gil began a full-time teaching ministry as Senior Pastor of Indian Hills Community Church. He also earned his Ph.D. from the California Graduate School of Theology. The focus of Pastor Rugh’s ministry is systematic, verse-by-verse teaching of the Bible. As a...
