Day 209, Chronological Bible Study
Timeline. Map. Go to today’s Bible reading (use your browser arrow to return): 2Kings 22:3-20; 2Chronicles 34:8-33; 2Kings 23:1-28; 2Chronicles 35:1-19; Psalm 81; Jeremiah 11:1-8 Discovering a Treasure Most of us have probably cleaned out a closet, an attic, or a basement and found treasures, perhaps even left by the last resident. Josiah, the new king of Judah, discovered a treasure in Solomon’s temple. What he found changed his life and the nation. The Discovery In today’s Bible reading, Josiah is just eight years old when he begins his reign. In his thirteenth year, he swept the land of its idols. The dreadful prophecies of Jeremiah and Zephaniah may have motivated or aided his efforts. Jeremiah’s word from the LORD is that the people of Judah need to repent before God uses Babylon to sweep them away in judgment. They inwardly resist but outwardly conform as King Josiah continues purging of the land. In the eighteenth year (when he is twenty-six years old), King Josiah gathers money and pays workers to repair the temple (2Kings 22:3-7; 2Chronicles 34:8-13). While they are cleaning it out, Hilkiah, the chief priest, finds a book and gives it to Shaphan the scribe. Shaphan then takes it to King Josiah. It is the book of the Law (probably a portion of the book of Deuteronomy, written by Moses). What Shaphan reads to the king causes him grave concern. Deuteronomy 28-30 details the blessings for Israel's obedience and the curses for disobedience. Deuteronomy 28:49-68 seems to prophesy a Babylonian invasion. They are a present threat to Judah, the remnants of Israel, and all the surrounding nations. Judah is in imminent danger of God’s judgment! The LORD will allow their enemies to conquer and expel her from the land. Only nationwide repentance might stop God’s hand of judgment and give them protection. Most of us are not Israelites, but if we have a personal relationship with God, we are his adopted children. The LORD wants to bless us for obedience in every way (Ephesians 1:3-8), but if any of us persist in disobedience, he will discipline us (Hebrews 12:5-11). He wants us to return to him (Acts 3:19). Josiah Responds Hearing of God's judgment, King Josiah weeps and tears his robes. This is a sign of deep grief. Immediately, he sends for counsel from Huldah, the prophetess of the LORD, who lives in Jerusalem. Her answer is that God will judge Judah as he said, but because Josiah grieved and wept over their sins, it will not happen in his lifetime (2Chronicles 34:23-28). Josiah doesn’t console himself like his ancestor Hezekiah, that at least judgment would not come in his lifetime; he loves his people. Without delay, he takes steps to regain the LORD’s favor. He gathers all the elders, leaders, and the people in Jerusalem to hear the words of the covenant. Afterward, the king renews the covenant between God and Israel and then makes everyone in Jerusalem and the tribe of Benjamin pledge themselves to keep it (2Chronicles 34:31-32). The prophet Jeremiah also encourages the people to keep the covenant (Jeremiah 11:1-8). Taking Action Then Josiah leads the people to eradicate all the idols and false prophets in the land (2Kings 23:4-20). Afterward, he leads the people in observing the Passover feast. The Passover had not been observed like this in Israel since the days of the prophet Samuel; and none of the kings of Israel had ever celebrated such a Passover as did Josiah, with the priests, the Levites and all Judah and Israel who were there with the people of Jerusalem (2Chroncicles 35:18, NIV). While King Josiah lives, the people serve the LORD, but Jeremiah the prophet of the LORD declares that their obedience is all pretense (Jeremiah 3:6-10). This proves true, for as soon as Josiah dies the people return to idol worship and evil practices. Because of this, God's suspended judgment begins. The Israelites forget about the discovery of the hidden treasure. They forget about God's favor to those who worship only him and are obedient. Our Response Have we forgotten the hidden treasure within us? That treasure is Jesus Christ (Colossians 2:3; 2Corinthians 4:6-7). We need to proclaim and obey him, for if we don’t, succeeding generations mightn’t know him. They might die without Christ or at least fall away from him. God is gracious and wants to bless us if only we will obey him. Discussion Do we have a treasure within us? What is it? What should we do with it? If we want God's mercy and grace, what should we not do? If we want God's favor to continue, how should we behave and how should we worship Him? Focus Verse Deuteronomy 30:19 (NIV) “This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you and your children may live.”
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