May 30, 2024

Josiah was eight years old when he became king of Judah. He was a good king. In the eighteenth year of his reign, he had his men go to Hilkiah, the priest, and gather the silver collected at the temple door to give to workers to make repairs. The workers were honest men who could be trusted with the money. When the work was started, Hilkiah found the book of the law that must have been hidden in a remote place in the temple. He gave the book to Shaphan, the scribe, and he took it to King Josiah and read it to him. Josiah was overcome with fear and despair and tore his clothes. He sent his men to inquire of the Lord through Huldah, the prophetess, because great was the wrath of God that was written in the book of the law, and they had neglected to follow what was written. She told them that God's wrath would be brought upon them, but because Josiah the king was sincere and overcome with grief over his people's neglect of God and His word, he would be spared of living through the torment of his wrath and would die in peace. 

How will you know that you are following God's Word if your Bible is sitting on the shelf collecting dust like the Law of Moses hidden away in the temple? You may not understand every word, but learning is a process, and wisdom comes from being diligent in your efforts to understand. Not only will it help your relationship with God, but it will also guide you in your daily life to do what is right and help you understand His ways. 

I cannot overlook that the king's men received a word from God through a woman, Huldah, the prophetess, much like their ancestors did when Deborah was their judge. 

Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD. 2 Kings 22:19