King Josiah and the Word of God
2 Kings, chapter 22:8-20 is now probably one of my favorite passages in the Old Testament, along with chapter 23, all the way down to verse 27.
I encourage you to read that story again to refresh your memory and you will most certainly find it encouraging indeed!
Here is a King, who when He stumbled upon God's word, he was deeply impacted. There is so much that we can learn from Him.
2Ki 22:11 And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.
2Ki 22:13 Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.
But because Josiah humbeled himself before the Lord in all that he read concerning the book of the law, God spared him from His wrath.
2Ki 22:19 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.
I won't quote chapter 23 in its entirety, but you must read it. It set my heart on fire.
When the King read the Word of God, He repented for His people in that they have greatly sinned against the Lord God of Israel and have done wickedly. Look at what he does in chapter 23. Ok, so he repents for the people and for Himself, he inquires of the Lord....but He also ACTS upon it.
Ok, I now encourage you to go read 2 Kings 23-3:27......
Now that's a righteous King who once he got hold on God's Word, it got a Hold on Him!
