The Teenage King Who Changed Everything

Welcome to Saints and Sinners, where I delve into the lives of bible characters! 

I hope to write not only about the well known bible heroes and villains, but also about the ones that get looked over. 

Today, I want to talk about a Bible character who's actually pretty relatable. His name is Josiah, and he became the king of Judah when he was just eight years old. Think about that for a second. While most of us were in elementary school, figuring out our times tables, Josiah was in charge of an entire country.

Life for Josiah wasn't easy. His dad, the previous king, was assassinated, and his grandfather was one of the most wicked kings Judah ever had. Josiah could have easily followed in their footsteps, but he chose a different path. The Bible says he did what was right in God's eyes and didn't stray from the right way. This is a huge deal. It tells us that your past or your family history doesn't define who you become. You get to choose your own path.

The most incredible part of his story happens when he's around 26 years old. While the temple was being repaired, a high priest found a book—the "Book of the Law." When Josiah heard the words of the book read aloud, he was devastated. He realized how much his people had forgotten God and how far they had strayed from the right way. He ripped his clothes as a sign of his sorrow, a powerful moment of humility and regret.

Instead of just feeling bad, Josiah took action. He launched a massive cleanup project across the entire country. He got rid of all the statues of fake gods, smashed their altars, and made sure people worshipped God the way they were supposed to. He didn't just tell people to change; he led by example and made it happen. It's a great lesson in standing up for what's right, even when it’s not popular.

Here are a few lesser-known facts about Josiah that make his story even cooler:

• He Had Prophet Friends: Josiah wasn't alone in his mission. He was supported by famous prophets like Jeremiah and Zephaniah. It’s a good reminder that even a king needs a good team and people to guide him.

• His Grandfather Was a Mess: His grandfather, Manasseh, was considered one of the worst kings in history. He built altars to false gods and even sacrificed his own children. Yet, Josiah turned out to be one of the best. This really shows that you can break a cycle and forge your own identity.

• His Death Was a Bit of a Mystery: A prophetess named Huldah told Josiah that he would die in peace. But he actually died in battle, trying to stop the Egyptian Pharaoh Nero. This tragic ending has puzzled scholars for centuries and shows that even good people can face a challenging end.

If you have any bible characters you would like to see a post on email your suggestions to kaileighpost@gmail.com