The Covenant of Remembrance: A Glimpse into Josiah's Passover
"In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept." - 2 Chronicles 35:19
The events recorded in 2 Chronicles 35:19 say, "In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this Passover kept." This simple yet profound statement is a testament to the faith and dedication of King Josiah, who ruled over Judah during a time of spiritual decline and corruption. His reign is noted for one significant characteristic: a return to the worship of Yahweh and a recommitment to the covenant that had been established with God.
To truly appreciate the weight of this moment, we must understand the context of Josiah's reign. Josiah ascended to the throne at a young age—only eight years old—and faced a kingdom steeped in idolatry and moral decay. Previous kings had turned away from God's laws, leading the people astray; but Josiah, upon discovering the Book of the Law (likely the book of Deuteronomy) during the temple's restoration, was profoundly moved. He realized the urgent need for national repentance and renewal.
The eighteen years of Josiah’s reign, culminating in the observance of Passover, are marked by a transformative period for Judah. This Passover was not merely a festival; it was a powerful act of reclamation—a national acknowledgment of God's deliverance and covenant love. The Passover, rooted in the Exodus story, commemorates God’s gracious deliverance of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. For Josiah, this act was a call to remember who they were as God’s people and renew their commitment to live in relationship with Him.
By observing Passover, Josiah was leading his people to remember their history, their identity, and, most importantly, their God. It was a declaration that they were no longer to be defined by their past failures but by the covenant promises of God. In a sense, this was a national cleansing—a chance to reorient their lives around the God who had once delivered them and who continues to offer salvation and hope.
As we ponder this verse today, we find profound applications for our lives. Like the people of Judah, we often find ourselves caught up in the patterns of the world, forgetting the promises that God has made to us. The act of remembering is a significant theme in Scripture. In the New Testament, Jesus instructs His followers to partake in communion—the breaking of bread and sharing of wine—as a way to remember His sacrifice. This intentional act of remembrance is a reminder that we are part of a greater narrative that is not defined by our shortcomings, but by God’s redeeming love.
What does it mean for us to keep our own Passover? How can we create rituals in our lives that remind us of God’s faithfulness? Consider the moments of worship, prayer, and even family gatherings as times to invoke the memory of God’s goodness. We are not called to simply celebrate events; we are challenged to remember what they represent in our spiritual journey.
Additionally, Josiah didn’t keep the Passover alone. He called the people of Judah together, initiating a collective remembrance that encouraged unity and community. In the same way, our faith is not merely an individual endeavor; it is lived out in community. As we engage with one another in worship, study, and service, we reinforce the narrative of God’s faithfulness within our communities and allow His story to be shared with others.
In closing, let us reflect not only on what it means to have a ritual of remembrance but also let’s take the challenge to lead others toward the celebration of God’s faithfulness. May we, in our lifetimes, declare as Josiah did, that we remember and celebrate our Deliverer—to keep the Passover, both in our hearts and in the lives we lead.
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2 Chronicles 35:19 - "In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept."
"In the eighteenth year of the reign of Josiah was this passover kept." - 2 Chronicles 35:19
2 Chronicles 35:23
2 Chronicles 35:10
2 Chronicles 35:11
2 Chronicles 35:2 - "And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the service of the house of the LORD,"
2 Chronicles 6:35 - "Then hear thou from the heavens their prayer and their supplication, and maintain their cause."
2 Chronicles 35:27 - "And his deeds, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah."
2 Chronicles 35:10 - "So the service was prepared, and the priests stood in their place, and the Levites in their courses, according to the king's commandment."
2 Chronicles 35:26 - "Now the rest of the acts of Josiah, and his goodness, according to that which was written in the law of the LORD,"
2 Chronicles 35:17 - "And the children of Israel that were present kept the passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days."
1 Chronicles 2:35 - "And Sheshan gave his daughter to Jarha his servant to wife; and she bare him Attai."
2 Chronicles 34:19
2 Chronicles 34:19
2 Chronicles 35:1 - "Moreover Josiah kept a passover unto the LORD in Jerusalem: and they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the first month."
2 Chronicles 35:5 - "And stand in the holy place according to the divisions of the families of the fathers of your brethren the people, and after the division of the families of the Levites."
2 Chronicles 20:35 - "¶ And after this did Jehoshaphat king of Judah join himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who did very wickedly:"
2 Chronicles 35:6 - "So kill the passover, and sanctify yourselves, and prepare your brethren, that they may do according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses."
2 Chronicles 35:23 - "And the archers shot at king Josiah; and the king said to his servants, Have me away; for I am sore wounded."
"And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the service of the house of the LORD," - 2 Chronicles 35:2
2 Chronicles 11:19 - "Which bare him children; Jeush, and Shamariah, and Zaham."
2 Chronicles 10:19 - "And Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day."
2 Chronicles 35:4 - "And prepare yourselves by the houses of your fathers, after your courses, according to the writing of David king of Israel, and according to the writing of Solomon his son."
2 Chronicles 35:13 - "And they roasted the passover with fire according to the ordinance: but the other holy offerings sod they in pots, and in caldrons, and in pans, and divided them speedily among all the people."
2 Chronicles 35:12 - "And they removed the burnt offerings, that they might give according to the divisions of the families of the people, to offer unto the LORD, as it is written in the book of Moses. And so did they with the oxen."
Genesis 19-35
2 Chronicles 29:35 - "And also the burnt offerings were in abundance, with the fat of the peace offerings, and the drink offerings for every burnt offering. So the service of the house of the LORD was set in order."
2 Chronicles 15:19 - "And there was no more war unto the five and thirtieth year of the reign of Asa."
2 Chronicles 35:25 - "¶ And Jeremiah lamented for Josiah: and all the singing men and the singing women spake of Josiah in their lamentations to this day, and made them an ordinance in Israel: and, behold, they are written in the lamentations."
2 Chronicles 35:16 - "So all the service of the LORD was prepared the same day, to keep the passover, and to offer burnt offerings upon the altar of the LORD, according to the commandment of king Josiah."