2 Kings 23:21-23
And the king commanded all the people, “Keep the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.” For no such Passover had been kept since the days of the judges who judged Israel, or during all the days of the kings of Israel or of the kings of Judah. But in the eighteenth year of King Josiah this Passover was kept to the LORD in Jerusalem.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Hezekiah isn't just calling for a celebration; he's demanding a return to the very specific instructions laid out in God's written Word. The phrase "as it is written in this Book of the Covenant" emphasizes that obedience isn't about vague good intentions, but about precisely following God's detailed commands found in Scripture. This highlights how vital it is for us, too, to ground our faith and practice in what God has clearly revealed.
King Josiah has just discovered a scroll of the Law, which had been lost for years, and the words profoundly convict him and the nation. In response to this powerful rediscovery and the sin it reveals, Josiah initiates a sweeping religious reform, cleansing the land of idolatry. This command to celebrate Passover is a pivotal moment, marking the people's return to obedience and God's prescribed worship after a long period of straying.
The Passover wasn't just a holiday meal; it was a powerful, repeated reminder of God's rescue. King Josiah calls for it, but why was it so important, and what does that mean for us today?
A Festival of Freedom
The Passover feast, instituted in Exodus, was a commemoration of God’s mighty deliverance of Israel from slavery in Egypt. It was marked by specific rituals: the sacrifice of a lamb, eating unleavened bread, and a solemn meal.
A Covenant Renewal
More than just remembering the past, Passover was a vital act of covenant renewal. Each time it was celebrated, the people reaffirmed their commitment to God and His promises, acknowledging His faithfulness and their dependence on Him. Josiah's command to keep it 'as it is written in this Book of the Covenant' highlights its connection to the foundational laws and agreements God had made with His people.
A Symbol of Ongoing Faith
For Josiah, this wasn't just a historical reenactment. It was a deliberate act to turn his nation back to the core of their faith, away from the idolatry and syncretism that had crept in. It was a call to return to the God who saves, making His deliverance a present reality.
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Josiah refers to 'this Book of the Covenant.' What was this specific book, and why was finding it such a monumental event for Israel?
A Rediscovered Treasure
During Josiah's extensive renovations of the Temple, the High Priest Hilkiah discovered a lost scroll – 'the Book of the Law' (or Covenant) – which is widely believed to be Deuteronomy or a compilation of its core laws. This wasn't just any old book; it contained God's direct commands and covenant stipulations for His people.
The Foundation of Obedience
The discovery and reading of this book had a profound impact on Josiah and the nation. It revealed how far they had strayed from God's intended path. The commands within—like observing the Passover correctly—served as the standard against which their current practices were measured and found wanting.
A Call to Alignment
Josiah's command to keep the Passover 'as it is written' shows that true worship and obedience aren't about tradition for tradition's sake, but about aligning with God's revealed will. This lost book became the blueprint for restoring authentic faith in Judah.
Understand the original words
pesach · Hebrew Noun
A festival commemorating the deliverance of Israel from bondage in Egypt, where the blood of a lamb on the doorposts caused the Lord to pass over the homes of the Israelites during the final plague. It came to symbolize God’s redemptive power and provision for His people.
berith · Hebrew Noun
A solemn, binding agreement or treaty between God and His people, often ratified by blood, establishing a relationship defined by divine obligations and blessings/curses. It characterizes God's gracious initiation of a covenantal relationship with Israel.
Josiah's command to celebrate Passover, as described in 2 Kings 23, was a pivotal moment of national repentance, directly inspired by the rediscovery of God's Law after a long period of neglect and idolatry.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquered the northern kingdom of Israel, scattering its people and leading to a decline in worship of the LORD in the region. Many Israelites were also exiled and replaced with foreign populations.
c. 640-609 BC
Reign of King Josiah
Josiah became king of Judah at a young age and is known for his zealous religious reforms aimed at restoring pure worship of the LORD.
c. 622 BC— this verse
Discovery of the Book of the Law
During renovations of the Temple, Hilkiah the priest discovered a scroll believed to be the Book of the Law (likely Deuteronomy). This discovery sparked Josiah's reforms.
c. 621 BC
Josiah's Passover Celebration
Following the discovery and the reading of the Book of the Law, King Josiah commanded a great Passover observance, the likes of which had not been seen since the days of the judges. This event marked a high point of national repentance and restoration.
605 BC
First Babylonian Deportation
Under Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian Empire began deporting prominent citizens and skilled workers from Judah to Babylon, signaling the beginning of the end for the kingdom.
586 BC
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem and its Temple, ending the Davidic monarchy and sending the majority of the remaining population into exile.
This is the original institution of the Passover, showing the commands and the context of liberation that King Josiah is seeking to reinstitute.
Deuteronomy 16:1-8This passage provides detailed instructions for observing the Passover and other feasts, highlighting the importance of centralization and remembering God's deliverance, which Josiah was enforcing.
2 Chronicles 35:1-19This offers a parallel account of Josiah's Passover celebration, emphasizing the joyful and thorough nature of the observance and its significance in unifying the people under renewed covenant.
Jeremiah 7:1-15Jeremiah's prophecy during Josiah's reign warns against outward religious observance without true heart change, providing a prophetic counterpoint to the king's reform efforts.
Hezekiah isn't just calling for a celebration; he's demanding a return to the very specific instructions laid out in God's written Word. The phrase "as it is written in this Book of the Covenant" emphasizes that obedience isn't about vague good intentions, but about precisely following God's detailed commands found in Scripture. This highlights how vital it is for us, too, to ground our faith and practice in what God has clearly revealed.
King Josiah has just discovered a scroll of the Law, which had been lost for years, and the words profoundly convict him and the nation. In response to this powerful rediscovery and the sin it reveals, Josiah initiates a sweeping religious reform, cleansing the land of idolatry. This command to celebrate Passover is a pivotal moment, marking the people's return to obedience and God's prescribed worship after a long period of straying.
King Josiah has just discovered a scroll of the Law, which had been lost for years, and the words profoundly convict him and the nation. In response to this powerful rediscovery and the sin it reveals, Josiah initiates a sweeping religious reform, cleansing the land of idolatry. This command to celebrate Passover is a pivotal moment, marking the people's return to obedience and God's prescribed worship after a long period of straying.
"And the king commanded all the people, “Keep the Passover to the LORD your God, as it is written in this Book of the Covenant.” For no such Passover had been kept since the days of the judges who judged Israel, or during all the days of th…" — Hezekiah isn't just calling for a celebration; he's demanding a return to the very specific instructions laid out in God's written Word. The phrase "as it is written in this Book of the Covenant" e…
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