2 Kings 22-25

Josiah was the last good king in Judah. At the age of 26 he had ruled over God's kingdom for 18 years. Something within him motivated his command to make repairs on the temple. in the process of temple's repair and cleaning the high priest reported that he had found the scroll of the Law (2 Kings 22:8). The king's scribe took the scroll back to Josiah and read it to him. Imagine not hearing God's word until the age of 26. Josiah's response to hearing the words let us know that he revered the LORD. But I wonder how he had been worshiping God before that time? What had instructed their worship?
Scripture is silent on what the people had done to worship. We find out later that the people had forgotten about Passover (2 Kings 23:22). Had they given up on all of the feasts? Did they even do any of the rituals that the Law instructed? The answer seems to be that they were led by tradition. The fact that the temple stood and the people were still bringing monetary gifts (2 Kings 22:4) are indicators that the people knew something about the LORD. But apparently he had become one of many gods in the pantheon of the kingdom of Judah. Traditions did not keep the people in line with God's will; only his scripture can do that. Traditions do not help believers fellowship with God;  only his scripture can do that. Traditions did not challenge them to reform their sin-filled lives;  only his scripture can do that. Traditions may be helpful, they did keep Judah from completely forgetting God, but they are no substitute for God's word.
Stuart