Good News Rekindled

You know that feeling when something goes missing? We’ve all experienced something similar. The situation can be very frustrating, but sometimes the lost item is unexpectedly found down the road. After a brief history review, we’ll look at this very circumstance.

From 930-586 BC, the Southern Kingdom of Israel called Judah, was ruled by 20 different Kings. After 55 years under the leadership of King Manasseh, Judah was in total disarray. Idolatry, temple desecration, and child sacrifices were just some of the detestable happenings.

King Manasseh changed his stance toward the end of his life while imprisoned. This shift was too late to be embraced by his son Amon who succeeded as king. Amon’s leadership mimicked his father’s dishonorable guidance. His officials had him assassinated before he finished two years of kingship.

The next heir in line to become king was Amon’s eight-year-old son Josiah. Since Josiah was so young, it’s believed that the High Priest Hilkiah, the secretary Shaphan, and the prophets Jeremiah and Zephaniah all played a role in guiding the king. Josiah desired to follow the ways of God and in his twelfth year as king, he ordered the temple to be cleaned out and repaired. The High Priest Hilkiah found the Book of the Law in the temple. This could have been Deuteronomy or the first five books referred to as the Pentateuch. Shaphan began reading the words to the king. All of the scrolls containing the Pentateuch had been destroyed under Manasseh’s kingship. Josiah, perhaps hearing for the first time the consequences of disobedience (Deuteronomy 28) responded humbly and tore his clothes in an act of despair and grief.

During the period of kings, wise men and women were called upon to share what God revealed to them. These people were referred to as a prophet or prophetess. Upon hearing the word read, Josiah sensed an urgency to know what these consequences meant for Judah. Therefore, he sent the High Priest and four other officials to the prophetess Huldah.

The Lord’s Promise: Through the prophetess Huldah, God said, “Regarding the words which you have heard because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I spoke against this place and its inhabitants that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I truly have heard you.” [emphasis added] 2 Kings 22:18-19 NASB1995

Promise Reinforced: “Behold, I will gather you to your fathers and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, [emphasis added] so your eyes will not see all the evil which I will bring on this place and on its inhabitants.” 2 Chronicles 34:28 NASB1995

For You Today: Josiah the king commenced reading the words to the people, providing the direction that had long been missing. King Josiah led a revival, encouraging the people to live with honor, make good choices, and show love to one another and God. He didn't recreate or alter the words that had been recorded. Rather he embraced what was already written and found. He rekindled the good news so the people of Judah could live the way they were instructed. Let’s pay attention to Josiah’s example. Doing the right thing offers an opportunity for peace and protection in your life.