The Green Forest tribune., 1917-08-10
LESSON FOR AUGUST 12
JoSlAH's GOOD REIGN.

12:1
 The reign of Josiah is In striking and pleasing contrast with that of many of his predecessors, especially that of his father, Anon, and grand father. Manasseh
 l. Time of Beginning (v. D. He as cended the throne when only eight years of age. At this tender age he evidently had a sense of the import of the service of Gods house. This sense must have been strong to en- able him to withstand the corrupt in- fluences of his surroundings. The pre- vailing idolatry influenced this boy, but influenced him in the opposite way in which boys are usually influenced. It aroused his hatred for 1t. This serves to demonstrate the fact that circumstances do not necessarily de- termine the direction life may go. Each individual has the ability to de- termine the course of his life; and moreover, his responsibility so to do. It is a most perilous thing to be thrust into such a prominent position while so young. However, sometimes such responsibility has sobering eff feet, calling forth ones latent powers. That his aspiration for God and the right was genuine Is proven by the fact that he persisted therein for thir- ty-one years, the entire length of his reign.
 II. The Character of His Reign (v. 9. He did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand nor to the left" He not only maintained outward order and decorum as to the worship of God, but doubtless at heart desired to please God. Though ten der youth in a position of honor and trust, he was not ashamed of his fa- thers. He did not regard their ways as too antiquated for him. The fact that he did not decline to the right hand nor to the left shows that he was acting from a heart purpose and not through the influences of his surround ings. It is to be noted that he did
 
 God, not merely his fellowmen. Doubt less many could have been found who could have pointed out mistakes of his life. He definitely and positively ad- dressed himself to seeking after God (y. 3. He did this while yet young. He did not belong to that class who think they can live for self while ,x,11 H after and serve. the Lord He did this while he could give God the benefit of his unimpaired strength of body and mind Much can be expected of such youths.
 III. Josiah's Reformation in the Kingdom (vv. 3-D. He first set out to root out idolatry from the land. This was prodigious task, requiring great courage and skill. He did this with q strong hand. Without pity he swept out from the land these abominations. In the execution of this task he
 l. Broke down the altarS of Baalim (v. D. This form of idolatry was first brought into the land by Jezebel when she married Al ab. The images seem to have been such as would appeal to the sensual nature of men; therefore it was but natural that the grossest licentious practices should be asso- ciated with this worship.
 ?. He broke in pieces the groves, carved images, and molten images (v. 4). He even made dust of them and strewed 1t upon the graves of those who had been offering unto them.
 3. He burned the bones of the priests on their altars (v. ). He not only showed no pity for them, but he manifested a decided fierceness in the execution of his task. He also dis played his contempt for them, for no greater brand of infamy could be im- posed than the digging up of the bones of the unfaithful priests and burning them upon the very altars which had been used for this idolatrous worship.
 f. He extended this destruction to certain districts in the northern king dom. It was not until all this was done that he returned to Jerusalem (vv. 6, D. His reformation thus be- gan at home, but was extended to the widest extent of his kingdom.
 W. Josiah Repaired the Temple (vv. S-13). Having rid the land of its idolatry, he set himself to the repair ing of the temple which had been so long neglected. This neglect, coupled with gross abuses at times, made it to be sadly in need of attention.
 l. His deputies (v. S). This work he intrusted to a committee of three Shaphan, the royal secretary OI Kings 22 :3) Masseiah, mayor of Jerusalem and Joah, the recorder, the historian of the nation. In the matter of ridding the city and country of idolatry Josiah took the lead in per son, but now the work had gone far enough forward that he could work by deputy. He chose his deputies from among "laymen" instead of the priests.
 2. Method of procedure (vv. 9-13). (a) Collection of money (v. %. It would seem that for some time collec- tion of money for temple repairs had been going on. Perhaps it was begun in connection with the destruction of tdolatry some six years before. Tho agents in this work were the Levites. They collected 1t from all over the kingdom. even giving the remnant of Israel an opportunity for fellowship in this matter. This shows us that religious interests of the people should be sustained by all the people adhering thereto.