 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. 2 And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.
Josiah Repairs the Temple3 In the eighteenth year of King Josiah, the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, son of Meshullam, the secretary, to the house of the Lord, saying, 4 “Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may count the money that has been brought into the house of the Lord, which the keepers of the threshold have collected from the people. 5 And let it be given into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the Lord, and let them give it to the workmen who are at the house of the Lord, repairing the house 6 (that is, to the carpenters, and to the builders, and to the masons), and let them use it for buying timber and quarried stone to repair the house. 7 But no accounting shall be asked from them for the money that is delivered into their hand, for they deal honestly.” Hilkiah Finds the Book of the Law8 And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. 9 And Shaphan the secretary came to the king, and reported to the king, “Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the Lord.” 10 Then Shaphan the secretary told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king. 11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes. 12 And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the secretary, and Asaiah the king's servant, saying, 13 “Go, inquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.” 14 So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter), and they talked with her. 15 And she said to them, “Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: ‘Tell the man who sent you to me, 16 Thus says the Lord, Behold, I will bring disaster upon this place and upon its inhabitants, all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read. 17 Because they have forsaken me and have made offerings to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore my wrath will be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched. 18 But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, thus shall you say to him, Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Regarding the words that you have heard, 19 because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the Lord, when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the Lord. 20 Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring upon this place.’” And they brought back word to the king. Meditation “God gives more grace,” proclaims James (James 4:6) before the apostle admonishes the Church to humble themselves before the Lord. James promises that when we, “humble ourselves before the Lord, He will exalt you” (James 4:6-10). Like you and me, Josiah needed more grace, sacred space to humble himself before the Lord. When Josiah was 26 years old (1-3) he sent a commission to clean and repair the temple (4-7). Hilkiah the high priest “found the book of the law in the house of the Lord” and sent it to the king (8-10). When king Josiah heard Moses’ words read he was convicted, tearing his clothes in repentance and humbling Himself before the Lord (11-14). The words of the law offered no hope for a wicked and rebellious people (15-17). God’s character offered some mercy to a soft heart humbled before His word (18-20). “Because your heart was penitent and you humbled yourself before the Lord… your eyes should not see disaster” said the Lord. A heart that hears God’s word and humbles itself before God’s authority experiences God’s grace and mercy. “God gives grace to the humble,” writes Peter (1 Peter 5:5-6). This promise is possible because Christ humbled Himself to take the penalty of our pride, sin that has stained our soul. Through the work of Jesus we can be forgiven and begin again, experiencing grace to find space to hear God’s word in our hearts and humble ourselves before Him. Richly Dwelling - Josiah heard God’s word in his heart and humbled himself before the Lord. Do you hear God’s word in your heart? Why or why not? -Are you more prideful or more humble? -Jesus humbled Himself so we can hear God’s word in our heart, receive God’s grace, and take space to humble ourselves before Him. Where in your life do you need more grace to humble yourself before God’s word? Be specific. Key Verse 11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes. Comments are closed.
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