WAEC Christian Religious Studies 2004 Theory question 103

Theory question 103

Religious Reforms

(a) How did Josiah react to the contents of the Book of the Law found in the house of the Lord by Hilkiah?
(b) State any four of Josiah's reforms.

Show the model answer
Model answer

(a) When Shaphan read the book to the king, Josiah tore his clothes (2 Kings 22:10-11).
He sent Hilkiah, Shaphan and others to inquire of the Lord, for great was God's wrath because their fathers had not obeyed the book (2 Kings 22:12-13).
They consulted Huldah the prophetess (2 Kings 22:14-20).
He gathered the elders and all the people and read the book of the covenant to them in the temple (2 Kings 23:1-2).
He made a covenant before the Lord to keep His commandments with all his heart, and all the people joined (2 Kings 23:3).
(b) Any four: removed from the temple all vessels made for Baal, Asherah and the host of heaven and burnt them (2 Kings 23:4); deposed the idolatrous priests (23:5); burnt the Asherah (23:6); broke down the houses of the male cult prostitutes (23:7); defiled the high places (23:8); defiled Topheth so none could sacrifice children to Molech (23:10); removed the horses and chariots of the sun (23:11); destroyed the altar at Bethel (23:15); put away mediums and wizards (23:24); kept the Passover (23:21-23).

Explanation

Describe his reaction, then four reforms with references.