The God of Israel works in patterns. The sages teach that historical events we read in the Bible can often serve as a prophetic blueprint for future events. “As it was for the fathers, so it shall be for their descendants.”
It is a little bit like a script to a play. The script remains the same, but the actors change over time.
When we look at the “Josiah Script” that unfolds in 2 Kings 22-23, we see remarkable connections to events that are happening today. It is as though the Josiah script is being played out all over again in our time: the actors are different, but the script remains the same.
Josiah begins a building program to repair the damage to the Temple. One day, one of the workers made a discovery: a Torah scroll was buried under the rubble and ruins of the Temple. The worker brings the Torah scroll to Hilkiah the High Priest, who, in turn, brings the Torah scroll to Shaphan the scribe, who, in turn, brings it to King Josiah (2 Kings 22:8)
What happens next is phenomenal:
Then Shaphan the scribe showed the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king. Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, that he tore his clothes. 2 Kings 22:10-11
Josiah reads the Word of God, and he rips his robes in repentance. (2 Kings 22:11). Next, he READS THE WORD OF GOD ALOUD to the people (2 Kings 23:2).
The king went up to the house of the LORD with all the men of Judah, and with him all the inhabitants of Jerusalem—the priests and the prophets and all the people, both small and great. And he read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant which had been found in the house of the LORD. 2 Kings 23:2
Not long after this, Josiah tears down the idols scarring the land of Israel.
Now before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him. 2 Kings 23:25
Recently, there was an “America Reads the Bible” Marathon hosted at the Museum of the Bible in Washington, DC, from April 19-25, 2026.
Even as King Josiah did this with his people during his time (2 Kings 23:2), so now our national leader is doing so in OUR TIME! Trump and many other national leaders participated in the “America Reads the Bible” marathon!
In Josiah’s time, we see these steps unfold: first, the reading of the word; then repentance; then RENEWING the covenant relationship with God. All of these steps laid the foundation for National REFORMATION in Israel. The nation turned back to God!
Here is another remarkable event in the unfolding modern-day “Josiah script.” Yesterday, Trump issued a proclamation from the White House calling for Jewish Americans to observe National Shabbat Day on Saturday, May 16.
In the proclamation, he states:
Throughout this historic year, we rejoice in the triumph of the American spirit and rededicate ourselves to the cause of liberty and justice for all. In special honor of 250 glorious years of American independence and on the weekend of Rededicate 250 — a national jubilee of prayer, praise, and thanksgiving — Jewish Americans are encouraged to observe a national Sabbath. From sundown on May 15 to nightfall on May 16, friends, families, and communities of all backgrounds may come together in gratitude for our great Nation. This day will recognize the sacred Jewish tradition of setting aside time for rest, reflection, and gratitude to the Almighty. I further call on all Americans to celebrate their faith and freedom throughout this year, during this month, and especially on Shabbat to celebrate our 250th year.
This is a call from the top leader of our land to return to our nation’s foundations, to return to our Judeo-Christian roots, which form the basis for Western civilization. Though he is calling on Jewish Americans to a National Shabbat on May 16, the invitation is for ALL, even non-Jews, who wish to participate to renew, refresh, and return to the God of Israel!
I wholeheartedly agree with what David Nekrutman said in his recent article, A National Shabbat: Why All Americans Should Mark the 250th.
“However, if we are to truly honor the essence of the Sabbath and the spirit of this milestone, that celebration must extend its reach. This Sabbath should not just be a Jewish event; it should be a clarion call to non-Jews across the nation.
“This inclusivity is not merely a historical footnote; it is a prophetic vision for the future. The prophet Isaiah took this further, envisioning a day when the Sabbath would transcend tribal boundaries. In Isaiah 66:23, he proclaims: “From New Moon to New Moon, from Shabbat to Shabbat, all flesh will worship Me, says The Eternal.” For a book that begins by rebuking Israel for a hollow observance of the Sabbath (1:13), it ends with a revolutionary, universal vision: Jews and non-Jews together celebrating the ultimate redemptive Shabbat.”
Tuly Weisz, founder of Israel365, made these comments in the article, Trump Makes History: First President to Call the Nation to Shabbat:
“It’s incredibly significant for the President of the United States to be encouraging Americans to observe Shabbat, especially at this time of great global insecurity and instability,” Rabbi Weisz said. “He is absolutely and unprecedentedly calling for Americans to look up to the heavens and reach out to our Father in heaven, and to honor God in the original way. The Bible first establishes the creation of the world and calls for rest on Shabbat, to remember the God of creation and the God of history. At this time, when America and Israel, Jews and Christians, are fighting together against radical Islam, the enemy of civilization, there could be no more appropriate spiritual response.
These two recent events, the America Reads the Bible marathon and now the call for a National Shabbat, are both following the pattern of the ancient “Josiah script”. First, a national reading of the word of God, and now a call from our President for a National Shabbat in honor of 250 years of our nation’s existence.
These two events set the stage for our nation to undergo what happened to Israel in the time of King Josiah.
Could it be that observing this “appointed time”, a National Shabbat, be a precursor to and set the stage for a national renewal?
It all depends on our hearts. Are we hungry enough to repent and return to the God of Israel and to His Word? Has our appetite for things in the world left a bad taste in our mouths? Are we weary enough of the ways of the world to turn our back on it and turn to the kingdom of God? Are we ready to repent of our pride, independence, and selfish ways and declare our DEPENDENCE on the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? Are we so heart-sick of seeing our prodigal kids who have lost their way that we will take time to weep for them in our prayer closets? Are we ready to allow God to shine His Holy light on the dark places in our souls and repent, ask for His forgiveness, and turn from our wicked ways?
We have a promise we can stand on:
“If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chron 7:14
I long for Him to pour out His spirit into our minds, hearts, and souls, on our high school and college campuses, into our local governments, courtrooms and classrooms.
Will we see a national reformation? Will we see even a remnant return? Will we see an outpouring of the Holy Spirit?
Time will tell. The stage has been set. The Josiah script is unfolding. Each one of us has our part to play. May we cry out for our nation and for our people to return to the God of Israel. And then, let’s see what He does!
