II Chronicles 34
Josiah did right in sight of the LORDverses 1-2
Josiah was eight years old [8 years old] when he began to reign
and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years
and he did that which was RIGHT in the sight of the LORD
and he WALKED in the ways of David his father
and he declined neither to the right hand
nor to the left
Josiah purifies Jerusalem and Judahverses 3-5
For in the eighth year of his reign [16 years old]
which he was yet young
he began to SEEK after the God of David his father
And in the twelfth year [20 years old] he began to PURGE Judah
and Jerusalem from the high places – groves
carved images – molten images
and they broke down the altars of Baalim in his presence
and the images – that were on high above them
he cut down
and the groves – carved images – molten images
he brake in pieces – and made dust of them
and strewed it upon the graves of them that had
sacrificed unto them
and he burnt the bones of the priests on their altars
and CLEANSED Judah and Jerusalem
Josiah purifies Israelverses 6-7
And so did he in the cities of Manasseh and Ephraim and Simeon
even unto Naphtali – with their mattocks round about
and when he had broken down the altars and the groves
and had beaten the graven images into powder
and cut down all the idols throughout
all the land of Israel
HE RETURNED TO JERUSALEM
Josiah gathers money for repair of Templeverses 8-9
Now in the eighteenth year [26 years old] of his reign
when he had PURGED the land – and the house
he sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah
Maaseiah the governor of the city
Joah the son of Joahaz the recorder
to REPAIR the house of the
LORD his God
And when they came to Hilkiah the high priest
they delivered the money that was brought
into the house of God
which the Levites that kept the doors had gathered of the
hand of Manasseh – Ephraim all the remnant of Israel
and of all Judah and Benjamin
And they returned to Jerusalem
Workers restored the Templeverses 10-13
And they put it in the hand of the workmen
that had the oversight of the house of the LORD
And they gave it to the workmen that
wrought in the house of the LORD
to REPAIR and AMEND the house
even to the artificers and builders gave they it
to BUY hewn stone – timber for couplings
to floor the houses which the kings of Judah
had destroyed
And the men did the work FAITHFULLY
and the overseers of them were Jahath and Obadiah – the Levites
of the sons of Merari
and Zechariah and Meshullam – of the sons of the Kohathites
to set it forward – and other of the Levites
all that could skill of instruments of music
also they were over the bearers of burdens
and were overseers of all that wrought the work in any manner
of service – and of the Levites them were
scribes and officers and porters
Book of the Law found in the Templeverses 14-15
And when they brought out the money that was brought into the
house of the LORD – Hilkiah the priest FOUND a
book of the law of the LORD given by Moses
And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe
I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD
And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan
Book of the Law read to the kingverses 16-18
And Shaphan carried the book to the king
and brought the king word back again
saying
All that was committed to your servants – they do it
And they have gathered together the money
that was found in the house of the LORD
and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers
and to the hand of the workmen
Then Shaphan the scribe told the king
saying
Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book
And Shaphan READ it before the king
Josiah sends priest to inquire of the LORDverses 19-21
And it came to pass – when the king had heard the words of the law
that he RENT his clothes
And the king commanded Hilkiah – and Ahikam the son of Shaphan
Abdon the son of Micah – Shaphan the scribe
Asaiah a servant of the king’s
saying
Go – INQUIRE of the LORD for me
and for them that are left in Israel and in Judah
concerning the words of the book
that is found – for great is the wrath of the LORD
that is poured out upon us because our fathers
have not kept the word of the LORD
to do after all that is written in this book
LORD sends message through Hilkiahverses 22-28
And Hilkiah – and they that the king had appointed
went to Huldah the prophetess – the wife of Shallum
the son of Tikvath
the son of Hasrah – keeper of the wardrobe
(now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college)
and they spoke to her that effect
And she answered them
Thus says the LORD God of Israel
Tell you the man that sent you to me
Thus says the LORD
BEHOLD – I will bring evil on this place
and on the inhabitants thereof
even all the curses that are written in the book
which they have read before the king of Judah
BECAUSE they have forsaken ME
and have burned incense to other gods
that they might provoke ME to anger with all the
works of their hands
THEREFORE, MY wrath shall be poured out on this place
and shall not be quenched
AND as for the king of Judah – who sent you to INQUIRE of the LORD
so shall you say unto him
Thus says the LORD God of Israel
concerning the words which you hast heard
BECAUSE your heart was tender
and you did HUMBLE yourself before God
when you heard HIS words against this place
against the inhabitants thereof
and HUMBLED yourself before ME
and did REND your clothes and WEEP before ME
I have even heard you also – says the LORD
BEHOLD – I will gather you to your fathers
and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace
neither shall your eyes see all the evil
that I will bring upon this place
on the inhabitants of the same
So they brought the king word again
Josiah renews covenant with the LORDverses 29-32
Then the king sent and gathered
together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem
And the king went up into the house of the LORD
and all the men of Judah – and the inhabitants of Jerusalem
and the priests – and the Levites – and all the people
great and small
And he READ in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant
that was FOUND in the house of the LORD
And the king stood in his place – and made a covenant before the LORD
to WALK after the LORD – to KEEP HIS commandments
testimonies – statutes – with all his heart with all his soul
to PERFORM the words of the covenant
which are written in this book
And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin
to stand to it and the inhabitants of Jerusalem
did according to the covenant of God
the God of their fathers
Josiah departed not from serving the LORDverse 33
And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that
pertained to the children of Israel – and made all that were
present in Israel to serve even to serve the LORD their God
And all his days they departed not from following the LORD
the God of their fathers
COMMENTARY:
DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers
: 1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years. (8141“years” [shana] means a period of 12 lunar months, as a division of time, as measure of time, as indication of age, a lifetime (of years of life) or unit of time involving a complete cycle of all seasons)
DEVOTION: Can you imagine if you were eight years old and began to reign over a nation? I have grandchildren this age at this writing who would not be able to reign well without help. If he were to go to the throne of America today what would he be able to do? Or even on the throne of any country as their king.
There would be individuals who would try to influence for good and others who would try to influence him for bad. He would have to have direction from someone he could trust that loved the LORD. His decisions would be final.
So the LORD was allowing young kings to come to the throne who had good advisors and bad advisors. In the case of Josiah apparently, he had good advices at a young age. He was a good king. He reformed the land. All the false gods were removed and he made a covenant to follow the LORD with all his heart and soul.
It is said that children form over eighty percent of their habits by six years of age. So as parents we have an awesome responsibility to make sure the beginning years are good training years. Some parents don’t have their children have any responsibilities when they are young. Other parents put too much responsibility on their children at young ages. The balance is hard for any parent.
However, with the help of the LORD parents can hit a balance in the training of their children at a young age. Each parent has to realize the seriousness of proper training even before the first child is born. There has to be agreement in the marriage as to who is going to do what and what type of discipline is going to be given if the children are not doing what they are capable of doing.
Many homes have very lazy children. It is because they were given not enough responsibility as they were growing up and parents find out too late that they were not training them properly. It is sad but true.
We can start at any age but it is harder the older they are to retrain them in proper work in the home and in school. Apparently, Josiah received good training young and was faithful to that training as he went on to do what was right in the sight of the LORD.
CHALLENGE: Starting life with training in the LORD is an advantage if it goes to the heart of the individual who is trying to follow the LORD.
DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers
: 3 For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images. (2891 “purge” [taher] means clean, purify, to cleanse, to clean physically, as ceremonially, to perform the ceremony of cleaning, sweep clean, or be restored)
DEVOTION: First we find that he sought the LORD as he had been taught regarding how his ancestor David lived. Then at the age of twenty he began to purify Judah and Jerusalem. So for the first eleven years of his reign he was learning what it meant to personally follow the LORD. Then he used his power to cause the rest of the nation to realize what it meant to serve the LORD.
One of the first things that he did at the age of twenty was to destroy all the pagan shrines, false god places of worship, images of false gods that were throughout the land.
Once he destroyed them he also made sure that the land was clears of all places of worship of false gods. He didn’t just do it in the land of Judah but also in the land of the Northern kingdom, because there was no one to stop there.
He had a goal of service to the LORD that affected not only people but places where there was false worship going on. He had all the priests of these false gods killed, so that, people had no one to follow in the false religions.
Josiah wanted only the LORD to be worshiped in the Promised Land. We should want only the LORD to be worshiped in the country we live in but in our times we are not commanded to kill those who worship false gods but to show them how much the LORD loved them.
We are to present the Gospel to all those in our world with the prayer that they will make a commitment to HIM and follow HIM with the heart and soul like king Josiah followed the LORD. If they see that it is real in our life it will help them to realize that it can be done even today in our world.
Can people say of us that we are willing to follow the LORD with our whole heart and soul? Are we witnessing for the LORD to our neighbors and friends and family who are under our influence?
CHALLENGE: We will be kings one day when we reign with Christ. Our influence is important even today before we actually reign as kings in the future. Ask the LORD for strength to perform, like a king, while witnessing to others.
: 19 And it came to pass when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes. (7167 “rent” [qara’] means to tear away, to rip or cut or tear to pieces, to separate or cause to separate abruptly or violently, or cut)
DEVOTION: He heard the Word of God for the first time in his life and realized that he had a long way to go to live according to what was said. He could only show his reaction by tearing his clothes to pieces to show the LORD that he was serious about changing his life to please HIM.
He found out the first time what the LORD did to those who disobeyed HIM and he wanted to make sure that he was not one of those who disobeyed HIS instructions. He had never heard the instructions before this time.
Today we have many individuals who have never heard the instructions of the LORD that are found in the Word of God. Many parents today are not taking their children to a church that teaches the truth regarding what the LORD expects of those who are genuine followers of the LORD.
If our parents are not followers of the LORD, we have to learn about HIM from others. Each believer needs to be a witness to others that they meet and not only show them through their life the difference between those who follow the LORD but also to tell them what they act differently.
Witnessing is the responsibility of every genuine believer. We should be reaching our family, friends, co-workers with the message of the Word of God. This has to be done in a sensible way.
Let others see Christ in us in our actions, words and deeds.
CHALLENEGE: Do people around us know that we are genuine followers of the LORD by our thoughts, words and deeds?
DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers
: 22 And Hikiah, and they that the king had appointed, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college. (4932 “college” [mishneh] means second quarter or district in Jerusalem)
DEVOTION: Many pastors have commented to me that many of the members of their churches don’t bring their Bibles to church with them each Sunday. How are they going to mark their Bibles for further study, if they don’t bring them? It is sad to have believers who don’t bring their tools to church. Every believer is to be a student of the Word of God.
Here we find a time that the Word of God was lost in the Temple. One of the requirements of each king according to Deuteronomy was that they were to write out their own copy of the Word of God. This was to be done by every king. Should less be expected of the other leaders of God’s people? Especially the priests and Levites should have a working knowledge of the Word of God.
However, Judah as well as Israel didn’t have many kings who worshiped the LORD with their whole heart. Over time even the leaders of the Temple forgot to read the Word of God. Judah was in a sad state of affairs.
There were only four prophetesses mentioned in the Old Testament: Miriam, Deborah, Noadiah and Huldah. She was one that lived in Jerusalem in the second quarter. It is thought to be near the Fish Gate on the north side of the city. She was asked to inquire of the LORD for the king.
She gave the king the LORD’S answer. She was in tune with the LORD. Most of the time there are prophets available but this time it was a prophetess. Does the LORD have woman who are close to HIM? Can a woman receive a word of the LORD? The answer is YES!! God has created women to be a helpmate for men. She was not afraid of the people who came from the king to tell the truth of the message of the LORD.
The only reason the kingdom was not judged during the reign of Josiah was that he humbled himself before the LORD. In verse 27, we find a list of the reactions the king had to the reading of the Word of God. He tore his clothes. He humbled himself before the LORD. He sent messengers to find out what the LORD wanted him to do. He served the LORD with his whole heart. He served the LORD with his whole soul. He made a covenant with the LORD.
What is our response to the reading of the Word of God? It should be the same. God still speaks to us through HIS word. We need to listen to HIS message to us daily. Sometimes the LORD speaks to us through other people. Here the king listened to the prophetess and responded with obedience.
Carry your Bible to church. See that all the members of your family have a Bible to carry to church. Underline special verses in your Bible to memorize.
CHALLENGE: Have a memory verse for the day or week or even month. Everyone can memorize some verses. Don’t let your Bible collect dust in your house!!!!
: 31 And the king stood in his place, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments, and his testimonies, and his statutes, with all his heart, and with all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant which are written in this book. (6213 “perform” [asah] means to carry out an action, execute, commit, act with effect, attend to, put in order, or to produce by labor)
DEVOTION: It is easy to promise to do something but it is harder to actually do what we promise. Here we find a king that is promising God that he will do something that had not be done for years. He even had all the people promise to do it as well.
What were they promising the LORD? They were promising to walk after the LORD by doing all the commands, testimonies and statutes that HE had given Moses in the wilderness. They were promising to do it will all their heart and soul.
This meant that it was an internal commitment to serve the LORD. It was not just an external commitment. So often we find individuals who are willing to say they will do something but once they walk away it is never done. This is an external commitment that most people don’t keep.
Today we find many individuals who say they are committed to serving the LORD but their actions say something different. They don’t have time to serve HIM when they are called upon to serve or they only pick certain things they are willing to do for the LORD instead of committing their time and talent to whatever the LORD calls them to do.
We have many gifted men and women in our Bible churches that are just willing to sit in the pew and do nothing. Many of them don’t even participate in the service by singing or giving an offering to the LORD. It is sad that we have many individuals who are external individuals who are not really committed to the LORD internally where it really affects their life and actions.
Our time is short in this world. What we do really counts in the eyes of the LORD. If we are committed believers our plate will be full of those actions the Holy Spirit directs us to do for the glory of the LORD.
What is on your plate to do? Have you made promises to the LORD in the past that you have not kept? Are you willing to make your commitment both internal and external in your service to the LORD? Can you say that you are totally committed to walking in the way the LORD wants you to walk no matter what the consequences?
CHALLENGE: Your commitment to the LORD is personal between you and the LORD. It is manifested in the life you live.
DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:
BODY
Chastity (Purity in living)
Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)
Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)
Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)
Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)
SOUL
Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)
Frugality (wise use of resources)
Money collected for repair of Templeverse 9
Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)
Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)
Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)
SPIRIT
Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)
Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)
Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)
King asked spiritual leaders to inquire of the LORDverses 21, 26
LORD heard weeping and saw humilityverse 27
Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)
Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)
Repair the house of the LORDverse 8
Shaphan
Maaseiah – governor of Jerusalem
Joah – son of Joahaz the recorder sent to do the repairs
House of the LORD his Godverse 8
Hilkiah – high priestverses 9, 14, 15, 18, 20, 22
Given money for repairs
Found a book of the LORD given to Moses
Gave book to Shaphan
Went to Huldah the prophetess
House of Godverse 9
Levitesverses 9, 12, 30
Gathered money for repairs
Put money in hands of workmen
To repair and amend
Jahath and Obadiah= overseers
Skill of instruments of music
Over bearers of burdens
Some were scribes, officers and porters
House of the LORDverses 10, 14, 15, 17, 30
Faithful workersverse 12
Shaphan – gave book of Law to kingverses 16, 18
Read the book of law to king
Overseers given moneyverse 17
Priestsverse 30
Read in ears of all the people the Words of the book of the Covenantverse 30
DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:
Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)
Book of the Law of the LORDverses 14-19, 21
Words of the bookverse 21
Word of the LORDverse 21
Written in this bookverses 21, 31
Curses written in the bookverse 24
Book of the covenantverse 30
Commandmentsverse 31
Testimoniesverse 31
Statutesverse 31
Covenant of Godverse 32
God the Father (First person of the Godhead)
LORD – Jehovah (Covenant keeping, Personal)verses 2, 8 10, 14, 15, 21, 23,
24, 26, 27, 30, 31, 33
Sight of the LORDverse 2
God – Elohim (Creator, Sovereign)verses 3, 8, 9, 23, 26, 27, 32, 33
God of Davidverse 3
House of the LORD his Godverse 8
House of Godverse 9
House of the LORDverses 10, 14, 15, 17, 30
Book of the law of the LORD – Mosesverse 14
Wrath of the LORDverses 21, 25
Word of the LORDverse 21
LORD God of Israelverses 23, 26
Covenant of Godverse 32
God of their fathersverse 32
LORD their Godverse 33
LORD, the God of their fathersverse 33
God the Son (Second person of the Godhead – God/man, Messiah)
God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)
Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)
Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)
Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)
Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)
High placesverse 3
Grovesverses 3, 4, 7
Carved images verses 3, 4, 7
Molten imagesverses 3, 4
Altars of Baalimverses 4, 7
Sacrifice to false godsverse 4
Idolsverse 7
Not keeping what is written in the bookverse 21
Evilverses 24, 28
Forsaken the LORDverse 25
Burned incense to other godsverse 25
Worship other godsverse 25
Provoke the LORDverse 25
Abominationsverse 33
Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)
Right in the sight of the LORDverse 2
Walked in ways of the LORDverses 2, 31
Decline neither to right or leftverse 2
Seek after Godverse 3
Purge life from false godsverse 3
Cleansedverse 5
Purged land of Israel and Templeverse 8
Repair place of worship (Temple)verses 8, 10-13
Titheverses 9, 14, 17
Faithfulverse 12
Read the Bookverses 18, 24, 30
Rend his clothes at reading of Lawverses 19, 27
Inquire of the LORDverses 21, 26
Keep the words of the Bookverse 21
Heart is tenderverse 27
Humbleverse 27
Hear the word verse 27
Weep before the LORDverse 27
Peaceverse 28
Make a covenantverses 31, 32
Keep the commandments with all heart & soulverse 31
Keep the testimonies with all heart & soulverse 31
Keep the statutes with all heart & soulverse 31
Perform the words of covenantverse 31
Serve the LORDverse 33
Israel (Old Testament people of God)
Josiahverses 1-33
Eight years old when he became king
Reigned 30 years
Did that which was RIGHT in the sight of the LORD
Walked in the way of David
Sought after God
Purged Judah and Jerusalem of High places
Groves
Carved images
Molten images
Altars of Baalim
Burnt the bones of the priests of false gods
Also purged Manasseh, Ephraim, Simeon
Naphtail
Broke down altars and groves
Beaten graven images into power
Cut down all the idols
Throughout the land of Israel
Rent his clothes after hearing words of the Law
Commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam, Abdon, Shaphan the scribe, Asaiah to inquire of the LORD
Heart is tender toward the LORD
Humbled himself before the LORD
Heard God’s words
Gathered to fathers in peace
Made a covenant before the LORD
To walk after the LORD
To keep HIS commandments
To keep HIS testimonies
To keep HIS statutes
With all his heart
With all his soul
To perform the words of covenant
Took away all the abominations out of all the countries
Make all that were present in Israel to Serve – even serve the LORD their God
All his days they departed not from
Following the LORD
the God of their fathers
Jerusalemverses 1, 12
Davidverses 2, 3
Kings of Judah verse 11
Some had destroyed temple
Mosesverse 14
Shaphan the scribeverse 15
Fathers had not kept the word of the LORDverse 21
Prophetess Huldahverses 22-28
Dwelt in Jerusalem
Elders of Judah and Jerusalem gatheredverse 29
Reading of word of LORD before the peopleverse 30
Josiah made a covenantverse 31
People stood with king in the covenantverse 32
Church (New Testament people of God)
Last Things (Future Events)
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QUOTES regarding passage
34:31–32 The immediate result of the reading of the “Book of the Covenant” was the commitment made first by Josiah, and then by all the people, to keep the Word of God. This covenant renewal is reminiscent of former renewals in Israel’s past (Exod 34; Josh 24). W. Kaiser interprets this story as an early type of “revival,” but “reform” could be used and often is. Kaiser examines 2 Chr 34:1–33 in three steps centered on the theme of human humbleness: (1) humbling oneself before God [vv. 1–13]; (2) humbling ourselves before God’s word [vv. 14–28]; and humbling ourselves before God’s people [vv.29–33]. As noted at vv. 23–28, “to humble oneself” is a key theological concept in Chronicles, and it also is essential in being a believer living in the will of God. .(Thompson, J. A. (1994). 1, 2 Chronicles (Vol. 9, pp. 379–380). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.)
iv. Covenant renewal (34:29–32). Though the people had been judged by the covenant, covenant renewal became the foundation of a new hope. The facts that the scroll is entitled here ‘The Covenant Scroll’ (v. 30) and that they acted according to the covenant of God (v. 32) show how important the covenant was in determining the shape of Israel’s future. Biblical covenants always contain both grace and law, promise and judgment, and Josiah could point to both Asa and Hezekiah for covenant ceremonies which reaffirmed God’s grace to a previously disobedient people (cf. 2 Chr. 15:1–15; 29:10). Josiah’s covenant was characterized by the ‘obedience of faith’ (cf. Rom. 1:5). The people agreed to keep God’s commands and to ‘put into practice’ (gnb) the ‘terms of the covenant’ (v. 31, reb, neb). They had in mind primarily a renewal of the Sinai covenant, as indicated by the phrases, commands, regulations, and decrees (v. 31; cf e.g. Deut. 6:1; 11:1) and with all his heart and all his soul (v. 31; cf. e.g. Deut. 6:5; 11:13; 30:2). Elements of the Davidic covenant were also incorporated, since the ceremony was led by the king (vv. 29, 31, 32) and took place in the temple (v. 30; cf. 2 Chr. 7:13–14, 17–18). Even if it was only temporary, Judah had returned to their foundations, for they had acted in accordance with the covenant of God, the God of their fathers (v. 32).
While verses 29–32 follow 2 Kings 23:1–3 fairly closely, three changes stand out. The first is that the ‘prophets’ are now called Levites (v. 30; cf. 2 Kgs 23:2). This change is most likely allied with the repeated exercise of a prophetic ministry by the Levites (cf. 1 Chr. 25:1, 3; 2 Chr. 20:14; 29:30) and the prophetic qualifications of their founders (cf. 1 Chr. 25:5; 2 Chr. 29:25; 35:15), though it is unnecessary to assume that the Levites had taken over all the work of the prophets by the Chronicler’s time. Secondly, the king now stands ‘in his place’ (v. 31, nrsv, rsv) rather than ‘by the pillar’ (2 Kgs 23:3). Though the Hebrew word for ‘place’ occurs only in post-exilic parts of the Old Testament, this change may also reflect the absence of pillars such as Jakin and Boaz in the second temple (cf. 2 Chr. 3:17). Thirdly, verse 32 is a free paraphrase of ‘all the people pledged themselves to the covenant’ (2 Kgs 23:3). The Chronicler has emphasized that ‘all who were present in Jerusalem and in Benjamin’ (nrsv, nsv) assented to the new arrangements, and that they did so by reviving an older covenant rather than making a new one. He also stresses that it was the king who made the people pledge themselves (niv, nrsv; ‘swear an oath’, neb; ‘made’ them ‘stand to it’, rsv) to the covenant. This suggests that Josiah’s personal faith was not necessarily copied by the people, an observation that is confirmed by both Jeremiah and subsequent events (cf. Jer. 3:10; 2 Chr. 36:14–16).
Finally, the people’s obedience to the terms of their covenant is summarized along the lines of 2 Kgs 23:4–25 (v. 33). The earlier details are not repeated, presumably because some of the same kind of things had already taken place (vv. 3b–7). Again, however, there are hints that the people needed some coercion. Josiah made them serve [i.e. ‘worship’] the Lord, which they did, but only as long as he lived. Nevertheless, all who were in Israel complied, as exemplified above all by the ensuing Passover (35:1–19) in which representatives from north and south were presumably present (cf. 35:3). (Selman, M. J. (1994). 2 Chronicles: an introduction and commentary (Vol. 11, pp. 555–557). Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press.)
In summary Ezra says of the Israelites under Josiah that “as long as he lived, they did not fail to follow the Lord.” Yet the testimony of Jeremiah, who actively supported the king’s reform (Jer 11:1–5), shows that for many this “following” may have consisted more in external compliance than in commitment from the heart (11:9–13). (Payne, J. B. (1988). 1, 2 Chronicles. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: 1 & 2 Kings, 1 & 2 Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, Esther, Job (Vol. 4, p. 552). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)
HULDAH Prophetess living in Jerusalem; a contemporary of the prophets Jeremiah and Zephaniah. Huldah is introduced as the wife of Shallum, the wardrobe keeper in King Josiah’s court (2 Kgs 22:14; 2 Chr 34:22). Josiah sent his officers to ask Huldah’s counsel concerning the book of the Mosaic law that had been found during the temple repair. She prophesied that disaster would strike the nation (2 Kgs 22:16), but that Josiah would be spared because he was penitent and had humbled himself before the Lord (vv 18–19). She declared the destruction would come after his death and that he would be buried in peace (v 20). Although Josiah later died in battle, he was properly entombed (23:30), avoiding the indignity of becoming prey for carrion feeders. It was after receiving Huldah’s advice that Josiah carried out his religious reform (2 Chr 35:1–25). (Elwell, W. A., & Comfort, P. W. (2001). In Tyndale Bible dictionary. Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.)
Miriam (Ex. 15:20) and Deborah (Judg. 4:4) are the only others who bear the title of “prophetess,” for the word in Isa. 8:3 means only the prophet’s wife. (Easton, M. G. (1893). In Easton’s Bible dictionary. New York: Harper & Brothers.)
34:29–33. When Josiah heard Huldah’s message, he gathered all the elders and all the people to the temple and read to them the Book of the Covenant which had been found. This may be the section known by that phrase in Exodus 20:1–23:33, or it may be all of Deuteronomy. Then, as king and representative of the people, Josiah stood and affirmed his intent to renew his covenant vows and keep all the statutes prescribed by the covenant. He then had all the people of the kingdom do the same. In summation, he removed idolatry from the land and in its place established faithful worship of the Lord and adherence to His covenant demands. (Merrill, E. H. (1985). 2 Chronicles. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 1, p. 647). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)
Ver. 29. Then the king sent and gathered, &c.] From hence, to the end of ver. 32, the same account is given of the reading of the law to the people, and of the covenant the king and they made to serve the Lord, as in 2 Kings 23:1, 2, 3.
Ver. 33. And Josiah took away all the abominations out of all the countries that pertained to the children of Israel, &c.] All their idols, as related in 2 Kings 23:4, &c. and made all that were present in Israel to serve, even to serve the Lord their God; by his edicts, and by his example: and all his days they departed not from following the Lord God of their fathers; not publicly and universally; otherwise, there were great declensions and corruptions among them, as the prophecies of Jeremiah and Zephaniah shew. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 3, p. 98). London: Mathews and Leigh.)
Reader! let our improvement of this chapter, under the Spirit’s teaching, be to remark from the early call of Josiah to the knowledge of the Lord God of his fathers, the blessedness of those who are brought betimes to a saving view of the Lord Jesus Christ, and redemption in his blood. It is an unspeakable mercy, no doubt, and a miracle of grace, at any period, and at any time, when souls are truly converted to Jesus. The laborers in the vineyard at the sixth, and ninth, and eleventh hour, which were called and equally recompensed in the close of the day, give us a rich representation of the free, sovereign grace of our most compassionate and gracious Father. Surely it is a very glorious proof of the sovereignty of God’s love and mercy, when we behold men in the meridian of life, and in the midst of all their pursuits of business, or of worldly pleasure, taken aside by the kind hand of the Lord, and brought to the knowledge and love of Jesus. And surely the grace of God is magnified in the conversion of old sinners, who are grown old in sin as well as years, and yet the long current and tide of their affections is made to turn at the command of his voice, who raises the dead in trespasses and sins. But we behold with peculiar loveliness the grace the Lord bestows on those whose tender years are seasoned with the love of Jesus. Reader! How does your experience correspond with either? Hath Jesus, the morning star, risen upon your soul? Hath Jesus the day spring from on high visited you? Can you trace your knowledge of this light and life of man, like Josiah, from your youth? Oh! the unspeakable felicity of knowing him from a child, and becoming acquainted with Jesus from our earliest years? What can equal that joy of the soul arising out of the Lord’s manifestation, when speaking to a believer, as he did to Josiah; Because thine heart was tender and thou didst humble thyself before me, I have heard thee also, saith the Lord.
Blessed Jesus! let it please thee to make continued manifestations of thyself to all thy people. Visit our souls in thy word, in thine ordinances, in all thy means of grace, by providences, in blessings, in mercies, in all thy sovereign appointments. And as thou hast given us to see thy beauty, thy loveliness, thy grace, thy suitableness and all-sufficiency; and won our affections to thy love in the moment of conversion; so, Lord Jesus, let us day by day have renewed discoveries of thy love, until at length, after the various manifestations and the sweet visits which thou mak us, we are growing up into an increasing knowledge of thee, an increasing desire after thee, an increasing confidence in thee, and an increasing longing for thee and thy glory, thou wilt take us home to thyself to behold thy fair beauties, and to dwell with thee forever. Amen. (Hawker, R. (2013). Poor Man’s Old Testament Commentary: 1 Kings–Esther (Vol. 3, pp. 568–569). Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software.)
FROM MY READING:
(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)
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True Worship The word “worship” is used frequently today in Christian circles—in addition to worship services, we now have worship choruses, worship teams, worship manuals, worship seminars, etc. Often, however, the basic meaning of worship is misunderstood. In the original Hebrew and Greek, the words translated “worship” mean simply to “bow down”! The Hebrew is so translated the first time it is used. When Abraham saw God and two angels approaching, “he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground” (Genesis 18:2). That is, he recognized God’s “worthy-ship” and was submitting himself to do His will. The last time “worship” is used is when John “fell down to worship before the feet of the angel.” He was corrected by the angel with these words: “See thou do it not: . . . worship God” (Revelation 22:8-9). Only God, our Creator and Savior, is worthy of true worship, and that worship involves simply bowing down in submission to do His will. That is why it must be “in spirit and in truth.” Our spirit must submit to God who is Spirit, and this can only be in truth. Remember the words of the Lord Jesus concerning the Spirit whom He would send to indwell His followers: “When he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: . . . He shall glorify me” (John 16:13-14). He would do this by revealing God’s Word to the writers of the New Testament, just as He had for the Old (2 Peter 1:21). In His prayer to the Father, recorded by John, Christ prayed for us, saying, “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth” (John 17:17). True worship is simply submitting to and doing God’s will as made known by His written Word and the guidance of His Holy Spirit, thereby glorifying Christ. (HMM, The Institute for Creation Research) THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANEThis is your hour, and the power of darkness. Luke 22:53 Firm Refusal Daniel . . . still pray[ed] three times a day. Daniel 6:1 When the Nazis drafted Franz Jägerstätter during World War II, he completed military basic training but refused to take the required pledge of personal loyalty to Adolf Hitler. Authorities allowed Franz to return to his farm, but they later summoned him to active duty. After seeing Nazi ideology up close and learning of the Jewish genocide, however, Jägerstätter decided his loyalty to God meant he could never fight for the Nazis. He was arrested and sentenced to execution, leaving behind his wife and three daughters. Over the years, many believers in Jesus—under peril of death—have offered a firm refusal when commanded to disobey God. The story of Daniel is one such story. When a royal edict threatened that anyone “who pray[ed] to any god or human being except [the king]” (Daniel 6:12) would be thrown into the lions’ den, Daniel discarded safety and remained faithful. “Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before” (v. 10). The prophet would bend his knee to God—and only God—no matter the cost. Sometimes, our choice is clear. Though everyone around us implores us to go along with prevailing opinion—though our own reputation or well-being may be at risk—may we never turn from our obedience to God. Sometimes, even at great cost, all we can offer is a firm refusal. By Winn Collier (Our Daily Bread) Esther 7 The final irony falls. Haman hangs on the gallows which he had constructed for Mordecai. Pride has come full circle; sin has self-destructed. Satan is called the deceiver and the destroyer; he deceives in order to destroy. He gets us to commit ourselves to a course of action which we think will achieve our aims, and, in the end, it destroys us. If you are on any course of action which you feel will achieve your aims–but the course of action is wrong–give it up. Unchecked, you will eventually be destroyed by it. (Quiet Walk) |
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