2 Kings 23:5 – “He did away with the idolatrous priests appointed by the kings of Judah to burn incense on the high places of the towns of Judah and on those around Jerusalem—those who burned incense to Baal, to the sun and moon, to the constellations and to all the starry hosts.”
Extended Explanation
In this verse, we see King Josiah continuing his aggressive reforms by removing the idolatrous priests who had been appointed by previous kings. These priests led the people in worshiping false gods, such as Baal and celestial bodies like the sun, moon, and stars. The “high places” mentioned were altars or temples built on elevated ground, often outside of Jerusalem, where unauthorized sacrifices and offerings were made. Josiah’s actions show his determination to eradicate all forms of idolatry, even those that had been legitimized by earlier kings. By removing these priests, Josiah was restoring the purity of worship in Judah and affirming that worship belonged to God alone.
Historical Context
The reign of King Josiah occurred during a time of significant spiritual decline in Judah. Prior kings, including Manasseh and Amon, had introduced and supported pagan worship, leading the people away from God. The priests mentioned in this verse had been officially appointed to oversee idolatrous practices that violated God’s commands. These practices had become deeply ingrained in the culture of Judah, reflecting the nation’s drift from the worship of God. Josiah, after discovering the Book of the Law in the temple, initiated a series of reforms to bring the people back to proper worship. His actions were radical and aimed at undoing the damage caused by generations of disobedience.
Theological Implications
This verse highlights the seriousness of idolatry and the need for godly leadership to confront it. Theologically, it shows that worship is not just about ritual but about allegiance—who or what we give our hearts and devotion to. Josiah’s removal of the idolatrous priests demonstrates that God will not tolerate the worship of false gods alongside His own. True worship demands exclusivity. This passage also shows the importance of rooting out sin and ungodliness from both personal and communal life. The priests who had led the people astray had to be removed for true worship to be restored. It underscores that leadership in worship must align with God’s standards.
Literary Analysis
The structure of the verse emphasizes Josiah’s thoroughness in reform. He doesn’t just stop with the objects of idolatry (like the previous verse) but goes after the people who led these practices. The mention of Baal, the sun, the moon, and the starry hosts shows the wide variety of false gods that the people had been worshiping. By calling out these different forms of idolatry, the text highlights how deeply Judah had been influenced by foreign religions. The listing of these objects serves to underline the extent of Judah’s apostasy and sets the stage for Josiah’s total reformation.
Biblical Cross-References
This verse echoes passages from earlier parts of the Old Testament where God explicitly forbade the worship of other gods. Exodus 20:3-5 is a foundational text, where God commands, “You shall have no other gods before me,” and forbids making idols. Deuteronomy 17:2-5 provides instructions on how to deal with those who turn to worship the sun, moon, or other heavenly bodies, which aligns with Josiah’s actions here. Another important reference is 1 Kings 18:40, where Elijah confronts the prophets of Baal, showing that the issue of idolatry had plagued Israel and Judah for generations.
What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian
For Christians today, this verse is a call to examine our own lives for anything that competes with our worship of God. While we may not have literal idols like Baal or the sun, we can still have things that take priority over God in our hearts. These could be money, success, relationships, or even personal comfort. Josiah’s removal of the idolatrous priests challenges us to be vigilant about who or what is leading us in our spiritual lives. We are reminded to align ourselves with leaders and influences that encourage true worship of God. This verse also teaches us that sometimes, removing negative influences from our lives is necessary for our spiritual health.
How This Verse Relates to a Loving God
This verse reveals God’s love for His people by showing His desire to bring them back into right relationship with Him. God did not abandon Judah to their idolatry but raised up a king like Josiah to lead them in repentance and reform. By eliminating the idolatrous priests, God was protecting His people from false worship that would lead them further away from Him. It’s a reminder that God’s call to exclusive worship is not about control, but about love—He knows that only in Him will we find true fulfillment and peace. His commands are for our good, and His desire is always to restore us to Himself.
How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ
Josiah’s removal of the idolatrous priests points forward to the ultimate cleansing of worship that Jesus would accomplish. In John 2:13-17, Jesus famously cleanses the temple, driving out those who were defiling it with commerce. Like Josiah, Jesus was passionate about restoring pure worship to God. Additionally, Jesus is described as our great High Priest in Hebrews 4:14-16, the one who leads us in perfect worship of God. Through His sacrifice, Jesus not only purifies our worship but also removes the barriers of sin that prevent us from fully experiencing a relationship with God.
Questions for Reflection and Discussion
- Are there any “idols” in your life—things that compete with or distract you from fully worshiping God? How can you remove them?
- How does Josiah’s boldness in confronting idolatry challenge you to take steps in your own spiritual life?
- What are some ways we can guard against false influences and ensure that our worship is directed solely to God?
- How does Jesus, as our High Priest, help us to live lives of pure and devoted worship?