So on that day the entire service of Adonai was prepared to keep the Passover and to offer burnt offerings upon the altar of Adonai according to the command of King Josiah. The Bnei-Yisrael present celebrated the Passover at that time and observed the Feast of Matzot for seven days. Passover had not been celebrated like that in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet, and none of the kings of Israel had ever celebrated such a Passover as Josiah did with the kohanim, the Levites, all Judah and Israel who were present and the inhabitants of Jerusalem. This Passover was celebrated in the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah.
-2 Chronicles 35:16-19
With Passover approaching, it is good to reread the account of King Josiah found in 2 Chronicles chapters 34 and 35. Josiah was a very young King whose father and grandfather had turned away from Adonai. He, however, sought to return to Adonai and repair the desecrated Temple. When an abandoned Torah scroll was discovered, he wept and grieved. Adonai heard his cries and spared him from the judgement of his fathers so that Josiah could reinstate Torah within Jerusalem, beginning with Passover. Many of us can relate to the feelings of discovery that King Josiah must have felt. Every year as we study Torah, we are shown more truth and given new understanding of Adonai and His ways. We may grieve or wish we had known sooner, but that sadness is quickly filled with joy. When King Josiah celebrated Passover, he gave his heart fully to glorify Adonai and thousands of animals offered for sacrifice came from the King's own possession. He observed the Passover as completely as possible with the new knowledge he had gained. May we too not hold back in our worship. When Adonai is gracious to reveal His truth to us, may we seek to humbly obey and joyfully pursue righteousness. As we learn and grow in Him, may we be changed more and more into the image of Messiah Yeshua. Let us always desire to learn more, serve more, and glorify His Holy Name more.
