1. Manasseh to Josiah

2. His Wickedness Bookending verses 2 & 9 Rebuilt the high places
Built altars for Baal and made Asherah
Worshipped “all the host of heaven”
Built altars for pagan gods in the temple court
Made his son “pass through the fire”
Practiced augury, used enchantments, dealt with mediums and wizards
Placed an Asherah idol in the temple.
vs. 16 Shed much innocent blood

3. God’s Wrath Plurality of prophets gave this warning
Punishment so severe it would burn the ears of those who hear of it.
Wipe Jerusalem out like a bowl.
The people to become a prey and spoil for their enemies
2 Chron. 33:11 Manasseh taken captive by Assyrians in chains

4. Manasseh’s Repentance
Incredible mercy of God
Paul? 1 Tim. 1:15
Mt. 18:33
Acts of repentance
Refortified Jerusalem; re-manned fortified cities
Removed the idols and altars from Temple
Repaired God’s altar and offered peace offerings
Commanded all Judah to serve Jehovah only.

5. Josiah 8 years when made king
In eighth year began to seek God of David (15 years old)
In 12th year (19 years old!) began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of high places, idols, etc.
In 18th year (25 years old) ordered priests to use collected monies to repair the Temple

6. Josiah and the Book of the Law
Book read before Josiah
He rends his clothes and weeps
Sends officials to prophetess to ask God
God’s answer
Yes, punishment is coming
Josiah to die before seeing the punishment

7. Josiah’s reforms Read the Law to the people; renews the covenant
Completes purging of idols from land
Clean out the Temple
Deposed idolatrous priests
Rousted the sodomites and temple prostitutes
Defiled and broke down the high places
Defiled Molech’s altar
Burned chariots of the sun, appropriated the horses
Destroyed Royal pagan altars
Destroyed Solomon’s high places (on Mt. of Olives)

8. Josiah’s reforms Purging the land
Destroyed the Bethel altar built by Jeroboam the son of Nebat
Burned the bones of the priests on it
Honored the tomb of the prophet who prophesied it.
Throughout all Israel, killed the priests of the high places, defiled the altars, destroyed the high places
Banished all wizards, witches, etc.

9. Josiah’s Passover 2 Chron. 35
Priests and Levites all doing their jobs as designed
Josiah, noblemen, and priests all gave generously
Levites worked to ensure that all got their portion
Vs. 18

10. Josiah
2 Kings 23:25 Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him.
2 Kings 23:26 Still the Lord did not turn from the burning of his great wrath, by which his anger was kindled against Judah because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had provoked him.