Cleaning Your Temple
Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the LORD...
King Josiah initiated a major religious reform in Judah - at this time, Israel had split into two kingdoms. Israel and Judah. This revival culminated in the cleansing and restoration of the Temple in Jerusalem.
Now in the eighteenth year of his reign, when he had cleansed the land and the house, he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, and Maaseiah the governor of the city, and Joah the son of Joahaz, the recorder, to repair the house of the LORD his God. - 2 Chronicles 34:8
The temple had been ignored because the people had turned to paganism. This effort was part of a broader campaign to purify the land and the temple from idolatry, following years of pagan worship under previous kings such as Manasseh and Amon.
While overseeing the repairs, the high priest Hilkiah discovered the Book of the Law (likely Deuteronomy) in the Temple. Upon hearing its contents, King Josiah tore his robes in repentance, recognizing Judah’s covenant violations (2 Kings 22:11). He then convened a national covenant renewal, committing himself and the people to follow God’s law (2 Kings 23:1–3). This led to the systematic removal of idols, Asherah poles, altars to Baal and the host of heaven, and the destruction of pagan priests and shrines throughout Judah and Israel (2 Kings 23:4–20).
The cleansing of the Temple was both a physical and spiritual restoration, echoing earlier reforms by King Hezekiah and foreshadowing Jesus’ later cleansing of the Temple (Matthew 21:12–13).
Josiah’s actions marked one of the most significant religious revivals in Judah’s history, emphasizing Scripture and covenant faithfulness.
Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people—that they would become a curse and be laid waste—and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I also have heard you, declares the LORD. - 2 Kings 22:19
Notice that the temple’s condition was the result of Israel’s spiritual condition. You and I may try, but we can’t hide it if we drift away from Jesus. We lose the shine of God’s light in us, and we become picky, legalistic, and harsh instead of seeing the world through our Father’s eyes.
Don’t get me wrong, God loves justice and has commanded us to be holy. But God does not want us to perish. That is why He continually calls us to repent, so we can be reconciled to Him and revel in His great love.
When King Josiah heard God’s Word, he was overcome with remorse. He repented and changed the direction of his kingdom. If we have fallen into spiritual disrepair, we can do as King Josiah did. We can repent and turn back to Jesus. If you feel a tug on your heart, you’re not too far gone. That tug is the Holy Spirit. Live for Jesus. That’s what matters.