seekeroftruth
Well-Known Member
2 Kings 23:17 The king asked, “What is that tombstone I see?”
The people of the city said, “It marks the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and pronounced against the altar of Bethel the very things you have done to it.”
18 “Leave it alone,” he said. “Don’t let anyone disturb his bones.” So they spared his bones and those of the prophet who had come from Samaria.
19 Just as he had done at Bethel, Josiah removed all the shrines at the high places that the kings of Israel had built in the towns of Samaria and that had aroused the Lord’s anger. 20 Josiah slaughtered all the priests of those high places on the altars and burned human bones on them. Then he went back to Jerusalem.
The people of the city said, “It marks the tomb of the man of God who came from Judah and pronounced against the altar of Bethel the very things you have done to it.”
18 “Leave it alone,” he said. “Don’t let anyone disturb his bones.” So they spared his bones and those of the prophet who had come from Samaria.
19 Just as he had done at Bethel, Josiah removed all the shrines at the high places that the kings of Israel had built in the towns of Samaria and that had aroused the Lord’s anger. 20 Josiah slaughtered all the priests of those high places on the altars and burned human bones on them. Then he went back to Jerusalem.
Most kings discuss construction of Temples. Josiah discusses deconstruction of temples. Notice.... it takes human bones to desecrate the alters of the other little gods.... how odd...
This is from enduringword.com.
What gravestone is this that I see: This is the remarkable fulfillment of a prophecy made hundreds of years earlier. The words of this anonymous prophet are recorded in 1 Kings 13:1-2: Behold, a child, Josiah by name, shall be born to the house of David; and on you he shall sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you. Josiah was careful to honor the gravestone of this anonymous prophet.
The easy English site clarifies a thing or two.
People still remembered the story about that prophet. It was 300 years since that prophet came to Bethel. Another prophet had given him an impressive grave near the altar that he opposed. And that other prophet’s grave was next to it (1 Kings 13:31). When Josiah saw those graves, he asked about them. And the local inhabitants told him the astonishing story in 1 Kings chapter 13. It would have surprised Josiah to hear about this. Long before Josiah’s birth, God had declared what Josiah would do. And God even mentioned Josiah by name in that ancient prophecy (1 Kings 13:2).
Of course, when Josiah heard about the prophecy, he did not destroy the graves of either prophet. He respected these holy men who, so long before, had spoken God’s message.
Then Josiah destroyed all the places where people worshipped in Samaria’s towns. Those were the ones that the kings of Israel had built. Josiah killed all the priests that used those altars for worship. Those priests belonged to wicked religions. If Josiah had allowed them to live, they would re-establish their religions. And then the people would continue to follow those religions, which had caused so much trouble.
Long afterwards, Paul explained how such religions cause wicked behaviour. First, people refuse to worship the real God. Then they start to worship the images of things that God created. Then people begin to care only about themselves, their emotions and their desires. So, people prefer to carry on behaviour that is very wicked. Their wicked desires control them. And in the end, they love to do every wicked thing (Romans 1:21-31). The religion in Judah and Israel had become this most wicked sort of religion. Josiah had to act in a powerful manner to stop it.
But although Josiah killed the priests in verse 20, he did not kill the ones in verse 9. That is because the priests in verse 9 worshipped the real God. They did not worship at the correct place, however. They worshipped on the hills, instead of at the temple in Jerusalem. Josiah did not allow them to continue to worship on the hills. But they were from Levi’s tribe, like the priests in the temple. And Josiah allowed them to eat the sacred food with the other priests.
Of course, when Josiah heard about the prophecy, he did not destroy the graves of either prophet. He respected these holy men who, so long before, had spoken God’s message.
Then Josiah destroyed all the places where people worshipped in Samaria’s towns. Those were the ones that the kings of Israel had built. Josiah killed all the priests that used those altars for worship. Those priests belonged to wicked religions. If Josiah had allowed them to live, they would re-establish their religions. And then the people would continue to follow those religions, which had caused so much trouble.
Long afterwards, Paul explained how such religions cause wicked behaviour. First, people refuse to worship the real God. Then they start to worship the images of things that God created. Then people begin to care only about themselves, their emotions and their desires. So, people prefer to carry on behaviour that is very wicked. Their wicked desires control them. And in the end, they love to do every wicked thing (Romans 1:21-31). The religion in Judah and Israel had become this most wicked sort of religion. Josiah had to act in a powerful manner to stop it.
But although Josiah killed the priests in verse 20, he did not kill the ones in verse 9. That is because the priests in verse 9 worshipped the real God. They did not worship at the correct place, however. They worshipped on the hills, instead of at the temple in Jerusalem. Josiah did not allow them to continue to worship on the hills. But they were from Levi’s tribe, like the priests in the temple. And Josiah allowed them to eat the sacred food with the other priests.
I'm always harping on a few things... but it seems I harp on God's control of time the most.
God knows how everyone's everything will turn out.
By the time stupid humans figure out that they have to make a decision.... God has already heard the decision, cringed if necessary, and gone on to fix the mess we made. God knows how it all turns out because God controls time.
He proved it here.... God named Josiah back in the days of Jeroboam. Jeroboam probably didn't know he was going to be great great whatever grandfather to a man named Josiah, who would clean up religion so the stupid humans could go back to worshiping the God of Abraham as they promised.
Of course... Josiah had to completely destroy the garbage in the whole area.... both in Judah and Israel to the north.
Bones.... left alone... they are respected..... pulverized and poured on an alter... they are disrespect.
