Hilkiah Finds the Book of the Law (2 Kings 22:8-13)
While they were bringing out the money that had been taken into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the LORD given by Moses. And Hilkiah said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD!” And he gave it to Shaphan.
Then Shaphan brought the book to the king and reported, “Your servants are doing all that has been placed in their hands. They have paid out the money that was found in the house of the LORD and have put it into the hands of the supervisors and workers.”
Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it in the presence of the king.
When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes and commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the servant of the king: “Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for those remaining in Israel and Judah concerning the words in the book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the LORD that has been poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD by doing all that is written in this book.”
Huldah’s Prophecy (2 Kings 22:14-20)
So Hilkiah and those the king had designated went and spoke to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tokhath, the son of Hasrah, the keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the Second District.
And Huldah said to them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Tell the man who sent you that this is what the LORD says: I am about to bring calamity on this place and on its people, according to all the curses written in the book that has been read in the presence of the king of Judah, because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. My wrath will be poured out upon this place and will not be quenched.’
But as for the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the LORD, tell him that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘As for the words that you heard, because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its people, and because you have humbled yourself before Me and you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I have heard you,’ declares the LORD.
‘Now I will indeed gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the calamity that I will bring on this place and on its inhabitants.’” So they brought her answer back to the king.
Josiah Renews the Covenant (2 Kings 23:1-3)
Then the king summoned all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. And he went up to the house of the LORD with all the people of Judah and Jerusalem, as well as the priests and the Levites—all the people small and great—and in their hearing he read all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the LORD.
So the king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments, decrees, and statutes with all his heart and all his soul, and to carry out the words of this covenant that were written in this book. Then he had everyone in Jerusalem and Benjamin take a stand in agreement to it. So all the people of Jerusalem carried out the covenant of God, the God of their fathers.
And Josiah removed all the abominations from all the lands belonging to the Israelites, and he required everyone in Israel to serve the LORD their God. Throughout his reign they did not turn aside from following the LORD, the God of their fathers.”
The story is nearly incredible! The priests are bringing out the money that has been collected for temple repairs when they just “happen” to find the Book of the Law of Moses. WHAT? Throughout all generations, the priests have been charged with keeping the Law, especially as it regards temple worship. But somehow during the time all these pagan kings have been in power, the Book of the Law has gotten shoved into a dusty corner covered with cobwebs.
Perhaps a conscientious priest hid the Book of the Law during the first part of Manasseh’s reign when Manasseh was bringing graven images and additional altars into the temple. Perhaps the priests feared that if Manasseh ever got his hands on that book, he would burn it. But once something has been put away for safe keeping, it is easily forgotten. Now Hilkiah the priest gives the Book to Shaphan the scribe who then informs Josiah,
“Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” Why does Shaphan make such an off – handed remark about something so important? Previous kings killed anyone teaching the ways of the Lord. Even now, Shaphan still isn’t certain what kind of reception he will get.
When Shaphan reads the Law to King Josiah, Josiah is stunned! Here is the Word of the God whom Josiah has been worshiping, and his people have violated every single one of God’s commands for generations. Josiah sees clearly that unless his people repent immediately, they are bound for destruction. Josiah is no fool; he fully realizes that some of his subjects have merely given lip service to his reforms but continue to worship idols.
Realizing the perilous situation of the people of Judah, Josiah tears his garments in despair and then asks the priests to inquire of the Lord regarding the fate of his people. It is highly significant that the priests do not use the ephod and the Urim and Thummim to discern the will of the Lord but rather go to Huldah the prophetess. Amazingly, even in these uncertain times, there is still a woman hearing from the Lord.
Huldah’s message is a grim one: “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘Tell the man who sent you that this is what the LORD says: I am about to bring calamity on this place and on its people, according to all the curses written in the book that has been read in the presence of the king of Judah, because they have forsaken Me and burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke Me to anger with all the works of their hands. My wrath will be poured out upon this place and will not be quenched.’
But as for the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of the LORD, tell him that this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: ‘As for the words that you heard, because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard His words against this place and against its people, and because you have humbled yourself before Me and you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I have heard you,’ declares the LORD.
‘Now I will indeed gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the calamity that I will bring on this place and on its inhabitants.’”
Josiah is horrified, but he does what he can. Calling the elders of Jerusalem and Benjamin together, Josiah reads all the Law to them and then stands by the King’s Pillar in the temple and swears that he will follow the Lord and keep His commands, decrees, and statutes. Then all the leaders of Benjamin and Jerusalem also enter into a covenant to keep all of the Law.
APPLICATION: There is a famous novel by a Nigerian writer named Chinua Achebe entitled Things Fall Apart. Set in the 1890’s, the novel depicts the social upheaval brought by missionaries and the colonial government to a society previously governed by traditional rules. For King Josiah, reading the Book of the Law is just as earth – shaking as the events described in that novel. Josiah is emotionally shattered as he realizes that Judah is bound for destruction. Things are falling apart; what can Josiah do?
Fully aware of the sins of the people, Josiah now realizes that generations of disdain for God are about to bring disaster on Judah. The Assyrians have already conquered Israel, leaving it in tatters. Now the prophetess Huldah confirms Josiah’s worst fears: Judah is bound for destruction as well. Josiah tries to forestall this calamity by reading the Law to the leaders and getting them to swear oaths before God. Are these leaders really serious? Who knows? But at least they honor the Lord for the remainder of Josiah’s reign.
Any group will only be as righteous as a group as its leadership; however, individual members may continue to cherish pet sins and practice idolatry in private. Josiah’s reforms hold off destruction for a few decades. Sometimes we have to be content with doing what we can, realizing that others who succeed us may pursue less noble agendas. But God does not hold us responsible for the actions of our successors, only for our own responses to our situation. May we take courage from Josiah’s example and do everything we can in our homes, our schools, our churches, our businesses, and our society so that God will be honored as much as possible in our day!
PRAYER: Father God, thank You for loving us and for caring for us. Lord, help us to honor You in all aspects of our lives so that those around us will honor You also. In the mighty and precious Name of King Jesus. Amen.
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