This program of daily devotions is designed to take you through the Bible in three years. It is our desire to help you gain a better general understanding of God's Word.
Please understand that in a study this brief, we will be concerned with only the major emphases and context of the Scriptures.
Each day a devotion for one or two chapters is posted, beginning with chapter one of Genesis and going through chapter twenty-two of Revelation. You are free to print each page as it appears. If you miss a day, you may contact us and request that devotion. Please send your request, along with $.50 (p&h) for each page to:
Bruce McGee,Pastor
205 Adams
Columbia, LA 71418
HERE
Bro. Bruce's commentaries for the books of
Genesis, Exodus, and Leviticus are
now available in hard copy for $7.50. Just
mail your request for COMMENTARY ON GENESIS to the address above.
2KINGS
1 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty and one years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jedidah, the daughter of Adaiah of Boscath.
2 And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left.
Josiah was only 8 years old when he took the throne of Judah from his father Amon. His heart was to follow the Lord, and the record of God says he "turned not aside" from that desire.
3 And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah, the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the house of the LORD, saying,
4 Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may sum the silver which is brought into the house of the LORD, which the keepers of the door have gathered of the people:
5 And let them deliver it into the hand of the doers of the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD: and let them give it to the doers of the work which is in the house of the LORD, to repair the breaches of the house,
6 Unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house.
7 Howbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully.
King Josiah wanted the temple repaired. A good leader will desire to see God's house in good order and repair.
8 And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
9 And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD.
10 And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.
While they were repairing the temple, a copy of God's Word was found.
11 And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes.
12 And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king's, saying,
13 Go ye, inquire 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.
14 So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.
15 And she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me,
16 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read:
17 Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.
18 But to the king of Judah which sent you to inquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard;
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.
20 Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.
The "Book of the Law" was read to Josiah. When he heard it his heart was broken because he realized the gross sin of the people in the idolatrous acts of the nation. HIs anguish was so great he tore his clothing. Please continue in Bible Study with us.
CHAPTER 22
Now THAT'S a legacy!
A man is known in death by the manner in which he lived. May we live our lives in such a manner that people might say, "His desire was to walk with God, and he would NOT be detoured."
Josiah gave a "decree" (executive order?) that the money which had been voluntarily given by individual worshippers be used for repair.
Notice that the workers were so honest that they didn't have to be "reckoned" with, or questioned.
Good leadership begets good workers!
Obviously the Word had been long forgotten, and was not taught daily as God had commanded.
Daily maintenance would have kept the temple in repair, and major remodeling wouldn't have been necessary.
Daily maintenance in God's Word will keep people in repiar, and they will not need major "remodeling."
Does God's Word, simply being read, do that to people? YES!
The Word of God is "quick," or ALIVE!
"For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart."(Hebrews 4:12)
The Word of God is always accompanied by the presence of God's Holy Spirit Who weilds the Word as a spiritual sword (Ephesians 6:17).
Josiah wanted to know IMMEDIATELY what God's outlook toward this sinful nation was. So he sent messengers to "Huldah the prophetess." God has never withheld appropriate gifts from people due to their place in society. God has taken the weak things of the world and used them to glorify Himself.
Yes there were other prophets in that day. In fact Jeremiah was around. But God initiated this action in the heart of a king who was "seeking Him."
The woman did not teach or usurpt the authority of the king; she simply repeated the message that God had given her specifically for this king and this people.
Josiah had recognized that God must indeed be angry with His people. ANd indeed God was! However, God's anger is abated, at times, by people seeking to do His will (2Chronicles 7:14).
God's anger is directed, not splattered. He directs it to glorify Himself and to instruct the world.
The news that Huldah gave was that God would destroy Judah just as He had promised in His Word. THAT was what had Josiah concerned!
However, God promised, that since Josiah was trying to do right, He would not bring the destruction during his reign.
Take particular notice of verse 20. Josiah is to have his physical end in "peace." That'g gonna be interesting. Keep reading and listening!