2 Kings 23:21
“And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the LORD your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant.”
This verse is part of a larger passage describing the reforms enacted by King Josiah of Judah. King Josiah was a righteous king who sought to restore the worship of the Lord and purge the land of idolatry. He ordered the repair and purification of the temple in Jerusalem, and during this process, the Book of the Law (believed to be the Book of Deuteronomy) was found (2 Kings 22:8).
Upon hearing the words of the Book of the Law, Josiah was deeply moved and recognised how far the nation had strayed from the commandments of God. He tore his clothes in distress and sent messengers to consult Huldah the prophetess to seek guidance from the Lord (2 Kings 22:11-14).
In response to Josiah’s sincere repentance and desire to follow God’s commands, Huldah delivered a message from the Lord, affirming the impending judgment for the nation’s idolatry but also granting Josiah personal favour and mercy because of his humility and repentance (2 Kings 22:15-20).
2 Kings 23:21 records one of the specific actions that Josiah took as a result of his desire to obey God’s commandments. He commanded the people to celebrate the Passover as prescribed in the book of the covenant. The Passover was a significant annual festival commemorating the deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12:1-28). It was a time of remembrance, thanksgiving, and dedication to the Lord.
By reinstating the celebration of the Passover, Josiah aimed to reinforce the importance of the covenant between God and His people. He desired to bring the nation back to a place of faithful obedience and to restore their relationship with God.
This verse highlights Josiah’s commitment to follow the written Word of God. He recognised the importance of adhering to the instructions given in the book of the covenant, which likely referred to the Book of Deuteronomy and other Mosaic laws. Josiah’s actions serve as a model for leaders and individuals alike, emphasising the significance of submitting to God’s revealed truth and living according to His commandments.
