2 Chronicles 34-36: Until the Seventy Years

Josiah was only 8 years old when he became king, but by the time he was sixteen, he knew instinctively that something was wrong and began to seek God.  At the age of twenty, he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of high places, Asherah poles, carved idols and cast images. Under his direction the altars of the Baals were torn down; he cut to pieces the incense altars that were above them, and smashed the Asherah poles, the idols and the images. These he broke to pieces and scattered over the graves of those who had sacrificed to them. He burned the bones of the priests on their altars, and so he purged Judah and Jerusalem. - 2 Chronicles 34: 3-5 NIV

Josiah was even more contrite when the book of the law was discovered in the temple and he realized just how far the descendants of Abraham had wandered from God and his commandments.  But nothing Josiah or the people did would change the events already set in motion.  Judah, just like Israel, had to pay the price for their disobedience.as Jeremiah, the prophet during Josiah's time predicted:  This whole country will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years. - Jer. 25:11 NIV

The people would pay the price for their disobedience.  They would be carried off into captivity and none of their altars, idols or images would save them.  Only God could restore them and he would do that very thing when the time came.  In the meantime, peace and quiet, the rest prescribed by God, would settle upon the promised land.

The land enjoyed its sabbath rests; all the time of its desolation it rested, until the seventy years were completed in fulfillment of the word of the LORD spoken by Jeremiah. - 2 Chronicles 36:21 NIV

2010 Post - 2 Chronicles 34-36:  The People Have Spoken