2 Chronicles 34:4 — English ERV 2006 - Only For Website
The people broke down the altars for the Baal gods. They did this in front of Josiah. Then he cut down the incense altars that stood high above the people. He broke the idols that were carved and the idols that were made from molds. He beat the idols into powder and sprinkled the powder on the graves of the people who had offered sacrifices to the Baal gods.
What Does This Mean?
This verse describes King Josiah's actions to remove all the idols and altars of false gods in the land of Israel. He had the altars broken down, the idols destroyed, and the remains scattered on the graves of those who worshipped them. This shows his commitment to following the one true God.
Explained for Children
Imagine if your friend had a toy that made them do bad things. You would want to break that toy to keep them safe, right? That's what King Josiah did. He got rid of all the bad toys (idols) that were making people do wrong things, to help everyone follow God better.
Historical Background
The Book of 2 Chronicles was written by a group of priests or scribes during the post-exilic period, possibly between 400 and 300 BCE. It was written for the people of Judah returning from exile to Jerusalem to remind them of their history and God's faithfulness.
Living It Out Today
Today, we can apply this by removing anything in our lives that distracts us from God. It could be as simple as deleting a distracting app on your phone or as big as ending a harmful friendship. The key is to be intentional about what you allow to influence you.
