2 Kings 22:1-20
Q.1. What were the circumstances surrounding the finding of the lost book of the law? – (2 Kgs.22:1-10)
The worst king of Judah was Manasseh. His son, Amon, wasn’t far behind him in wickedness (c.f. 2 Kgs.21:2-15; 20-22). It is astounding that Amon’s son; Josiah was arguably the godliest king after King David (2 Kgs.22:2). His mother, Jedidah, lived up to her name, ‘beloved’ (2 Kgs.22:1). When he was just eighteen, Josiah had it in his heart to renovate the Temple and have it functioning again. (2 Kgs.22:3-7). In the process Hilkiah, the High Priest, found the Book of the Law – which was almost certainly Deuteronomy, with its promises of blessing and warnings of judgment (2 Kgs.22:8-13 c.f. Dt. Chpts.27-30).
Q.2. How did King Josiah respond to the warnings in the Book of the Law? – (2 Kgs.22:11-14)
Shaphan, the Scribe, read the Book aloud in the presence of the king. The section that increased his fear of God and brought deep contrition, was the warnings. Josiah knew that almost all the sins highlighted in the Law, were regularly occurring in his kingdom. The king then commanded his chief advisers to seek God, via the prophetess, Huldah – Go, inquire of the Lord for me and the people and all Judah concerning the words of this book that has been found, for great is the wrath of the Lord that burns against us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us (2 Kgs.22:13). Josiah came to the conclusion that the nation was in deep trouble, and that the wrath of God would be burning against them.
Q.3. Why was God about to execute judgment on Judah? What message of comfort was delivered to Josiah? – (2 Kgs.22:14-20)
Huldah confirmed the worst fears of the king – 16 thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I bring evil on this place and on its inhabitants, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read. 17 Because they have forsaken Me and have burned incense to other gods that they might provoke Me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore My wrath burns against this place, and it shall not be quenched’ (2 Kgs.22:16-17). However, Josiah earned a gracious reprieve – 19 “because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants that they should become desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before Me, I truly have heard you,” declares the Lord. 20 “Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes will not see all the evil which I will bring on this place” (2 Kgs.22:19-20). God used one young humble man to change the fortunes of the nation (c.f. 1 Tim.4:12).