The reforms of man

The first part of 2 Chronicles 34 details Josiah's attempts to purify the land and the temple. We see Judah and Jerusalem purged of high places, Asherah poles, carved idols, and cast images. We also see Josiah destroy the altars of Baal. He did the things that he believed to be right. He was genuinely seeking to do good in the eyes of the Lord. Upon their finding of the Book of the Law of the Lord, though, Josiah found out that his "sweeping reforms" didn't go nearly far enough. Hearing the words read aloud even made Josiah tear his robes. I believe that he mourned because of his misconception of what good and right really were. He had done the best he could, but he saw that his best was lacking.

We make the same mistake even today. Even when our motivations are pure and our intentions are good, when the word of God is not our guide we will surely fall short in our attempts to do what is right.