Definition: And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that [pertained] to the children of Israel, and made all that were present in Israel to serve, [even] to serve the LORD their God. [And] all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 2 Chronicles 34:33. It’s a really important and significant passage about Judah’s repentance and commitment to God. Here's a simple explanation: The Basic Story: This verse comes after Josiah, the king of Judah, made a huge decision – he decided to completely stop the practice of idolatry (worshiping other gods) that was happening in his kingdom. He took action to remove these practices and make people work for God. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that [pertained] to the children of Israel…” This means Josiah was actively stopping the practice of evil rituals, sacrifices, and other things that were considered idolatrous. He was essentially saying "stop this!" “…and made all that were present in Israel to serve, [even] to serve the LORD their God.” This is the crucial part. He didn't just stop the practices; he made people work for God. He put them under a system where they had to dedicate themselves to serving Him. “[And] all his days they departed not from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.” This is the most important part. It says that after this removal of the abominations, the people permanently stopped worshiping other gods and started worshipping only God. They didn't just stop for a while; they vowed to stay devoted to Him forever. What does it mean? This verse speaks about a fundamental shift in Judah’s relationship with God. It shows that Josiah understood the seriousness of the idolatry he was dealing with, and he took decisive action to address it. It's a powerful statement about commitment, obedience, and unwavering faith – all leading back to worshipping God. In short: Josiah stopped the practices of idolatry and made his people work for God permanently, demonstrating a deep commitment to worshiping Him above all else. Does that make sense? Do you want me to explain any part in more detail or perhaps relate it to a specific biblical story?