The process of bringing religious practices and beliefs back into line with the word of God. The OT portrays Israel as requiring reformation at several points in her history. God's people continue to need to review their beliefs and practices in the light of God's word.
The continual need to turn from idolatry
1 Samuel 7:3 Idolatry was the besetting sin of Israel and the point at which all reforms had to begin. See also Genesis 35:2; Joshua 24:14–24; Judges 6:25–27; 2 Kings 10:18–27, 2 Kings 11:17–18 parallel 2 Chronicles 23:16–17; 2 Chronicles 19:3, 2 Chronicles 33:15; 1 Corinthians 10:14; 1 John 5:21
Then Samuel said to all the house of Israel, “If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the foreign gods and Ashtoreths among you, prepare your hearts for the LORD, and serve Him only. And He will deliver you from the hand of the Philistines.”
The reform of Asa
He removed idols
He repaired the altar of the temple
2 Chronicles 15:8, 2 Chronicles 15:18
As a result the people sought and found God
The reform of Hezekiah
He removed idols and even local shrines dedicated to God
2 Kings 18:4 parallel 2 Chronicles 31:1
He established worship in the renovated and consecrated temple
2 Chronicles 29:3–7, 2 Chronicles 29:15–28
The covenant between God and his people was renewed
2 Chronicles 29:10–11, 2 Chronicles 29:29–31, 2 Chronicles 30:1–27, 2 Chronicles 31:2–19
The reform of Josiah
He repaired the temple
2 Kings 22:3–7 parallel 2 Chronicles 34:8–13
He ended false worship
2 Kings 23:4–24 parallel 2 Chronicles 34:3–7; 2 Chronicles 34:33
The results of Josiah's reform
2 Kings 22:11–20 parallel 2 Chronicles 34:19–28 The prevailing attitude was that God would ensure that no disaster would befall his chosen people. Now the need to turn from sin and complacency was reiterated and repentance ensued; 2 Kings 23:1–3 parallel 2 Chronicles 34:29–32; 2 Kings 23:3 parallel 2 Chronicles 34:31–32; 2 Kings 23:21–23 parallel 2 Chronicles 35:1–19
The reforms of Ezra and Nehemiah
The problem of intermarriage was dealt with
Ezra 10:2–3 The objection to intermarriage was based on religious not racial grounds. It led to a corruption of the faith. See also Ezra 9:1–15, Ezra 10:5–17; Nehemiah 13:23–27
Then Shecaniah son of Jehiel, an Elamite, said to Ezra: “We have been unfaithful to our God by marrying foreign women from the people of the land, yet in spite of this, there is hope for Israel. So now let us make a covenant before our God to send away all the foreign wives and their children, according to the counsel of my lord and of those who tremble at the command of our God. Let it be done according to the Law.
The temple was purified
The Sabbath-rest was reaffirmed
Nehemiah 13:15 See also Nehemiah 13:16–22
In those days I saw people in Judah treading winepresses on the Sabbath and bringing in grain and loading it on donkeys, along with wine, grapes, and figs. All kinds of goods were being brought into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. So I warned them against selling food on that day.
Incomplete reforms
2 Kings 10:28–29 See also 1 Kings 15:14 parallel 2 Chronicles 15:17; 2 Kings 3:2–3, 2 Kings 12:2–3
Thus Jehu eradicated Baal from Israel, but he did not turn away from the sins that Jeroboam son of Nebat had caused Israel to commit— the worship of the golden calves at Bethel and Dan.
The call to reform
To Israel
Jeremiah 7:3 See also 2 Chronicles 7:14; Isaiah 1:16–17, Isaiah 55:6–7; Jeremiah 18:11, Jeremiah 26:13, Jeremiah 35:15; Zechariah 1:3; Acts 3:19–26
Thus says the LORD of Hosts, the God of Israel: Correct your ways and deeds, and I will let you live in this place.
To the church
Revelation 3:2–3 See also 1 Corinthians 5:1–13; Revelation 2:5, Revelation 3:15–20
Wake up and strengthen what remains, which is about to die; for I have found your deeds incomplete in the sight of My God. Remember, then, what you have received and heard. Keep it and repent. If you do not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know the hour when I will come upon you.
To individuals
James 1:21 See also Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1; Ephesians 4:22–24; Colossians 3:5–10; James 1:22–25, James 4:7–10
Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and every expression of evil, and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save your souls.
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.