Unexpected Failure Of Josiah's Reform
Scrupulous in observance of Passover
The Scriptural writers give us scarcely any information of importance about the period of twelve years from the discovery of the Book of the Law (621) to the death of Josiah on the battlefield at Megiddo (609). They refer us to 'The Book of the Annals of the Kings of Yahudah' (2 Melechim 23:28) or to 'The Book of the Melechim of Yisrael and Yahudah' (2 Divre Hayamim 35:27). Neither of these books has survived.
They inform us however of the important spiritual reorganization of the ke- hunnah- (priesthood). At the Passover which followed the first reading of the Law a great festival took place: No Passover like this one had ever been celebrated in Yisrael since the days of the prophet Schmu'el, the chronicler notes with admiration. From that day onward, and following the prescriptions laid down in the Book of the Law, Yacob's descendants were to be scrupulous in their observance of the Passover and, for seven days, the feast of unleavened bread.
With what we know of the fine reform effected by Josiah we might expect to notice a profound spiritual transformation taking place in the nation. But this did not occur.
At the beginning of this spiritual campaign the prophet YermeYah was loud in his enthusiasm. He was full of hope for the return of Yahudah to its tutelary deity. In addition, when the new Law had to be proclaimed to the people of the cities and the countryside, it appears that YermeYah took his place among the fervent missionaries who were to preach it. 23
Confined to observance of external forms
But soon the prophet noticed that this reform had effected very little change in the soul of the Judaeans and Yisraelites. They confined themselves generally to observance of the external forms, especially the centralization of worship in Yerusalem. And without even trying to reform themselves morally they imagined that their relations with YAHWEH were perfect.
According to YermeYah, the people ought not to have confined themselves to this outward transformation. In the belief of YAHWEH what was principally important was to practice obedience to the Law of Mosheh, that is, spiritual fidelity. And so we find the forceful images in the 'oracle of YAHWEH' proclaimed by YermeYah in the name of YAHWEH.
Circumcise yourselves for YAHWEH
Off with the foreskin of your hearts. (Jer. 4:4)
Plainly their ears are uncircumcised. (Jer. 6:10)
The whole House of Yisrael is uncircumcised at heart. (Jer. 9:25)
Conversion to YAHWEH meant 'circumcision of the heart', that is, the spiritual life of the soul. All the rest was hypocrisy. At a later date Sha'ul was to return to this image: real circumcision, what marks YAHWEH's faithful servant, is circumcision of the heart.
Quite obviously the Judaeans were a long way from so lofty a moral standard: 'Yahudah, her (Yisrael's) faithless sister, has not come back to ME in sincerity, but only in pretence -it is YAHWEH who speaks' (Jer. 3:10).
And so YermeYah began to proclaim publicly the terrible catastrophe which was shortly to befall the unfaithful city:
...MY wrath (will) leap out like a fire,
and burn with no one to quench it,
in return for the wickedness of your deeds.' (Jer 4:4)
As a matter of fact very shortly we shall see this anger fall on the optimistic and self-satisfied people who, with the help of a few ritual observances, believed that they were under the protection of YAHWEH their Sovereign Ruler.
Thus despite his good will and his courage, Josiah did not succeed in bringing back the Chosen People to the path of their traditional belief.
23 Proclaim all this in the towns of Yahudah and in the streets of Yerusalem 'Listen to the words of this covenant and obey them' (Jer. 11:6)
The Destruction of the Kingdom by YAHWEH Destruction Sitemap Scripture History Through the Ages