There’s no doubt Jeremiah’s prophecies had a positive effect on King Josiah of Judah, especially Jeremiah’s prophetic words reminding the Israelites of God’s covenant with them:
Cursed be the man who does not hear the words of this covenant that I commanded your fathers when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Listen to my voice, and do all that I command you. So shall you be my people, and I will be your God…” (Jeremiah 11:3-5)
Jeremiah first spoke this prophecy in Jerusalem sometime during 622 BC. The prophet then traveled from town to town throughout the land speaking the prophecy to the whole nation. Everyone heard the prophecy.
The priests went to a prophetess named Huldah who confirmed the words of Zephaniah and Jeremiah that God’s wrath would be poured out on Jerusalem, destroying the city. Huldah also added:
“Because your [Josiah’s] heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the LORD, when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants…Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace…” (2 Kings 35:27-28)
King Josiah renewed the covenant with the Lord and removed all of the abominations that belonged to the children of Israel.
A revival then broke out and continued for twelve years. Judah observed all of the Lord’s feasts and followed the Lord.
Now, wouldn’t you think that everyone would have been happy with Jeremiah’s covenant prophecy and his other prophetic words? Because after all they were confirmed and helped restore Judah’s position before God’s throne.
(Continued in Part 9…if you’re interested, the full series to date may be seen here.)
Larry Who 