2 Chronicles 34:14-33 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs,
Today’s passage is 2 Chronicles 34:14-33. Let’s go!
2 Chronicles 34:27 (NIV)
27 Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the LORD.
On verses 14-33: While bringing out money that was stored in the temple, Hilkiah the priest finds and brings out the most precious treasure of all: God’s Word as contained in the Book of the Law. He gives it to Shaphan the secretary who reads the Book of the Law in King Josiah’s presence. In response to the reading of God’s Word, Josiah weeps, tears his robes and orders Hilkiah the priest, Shaphan the secretary and other servants to inquire of God as what they should do, since they have not kept much of what was written in the Book. They in turn consult Huldah the prophetess who tells them that indeed disaster is awaiting the people of Judah for their failure to obey God’s commands. However, because Josiah was humble and responsive to God’s Word, that disaster would not take place during his lifetime (v28).
Josiah responds again to God’s Word, this time spoken through the prophet Huldah. He gathers all of Judah for an assembly where he reads God’s Word to the people. Then he stands at the pillar in the temple where a king would usually stand when making an important proclamation and commits to personally obeying God’s Word. Josiah then leads the people in pledging themselves to obey God’s Word and removes all the idols from the land. As long as they lived under Josiah’s watch, the people follow the Lord.
What can we learn from this? Notice that Josiah’s heart was humble, soft and open to God. Whether it was hearing God’s Word spoken through His written word or hearing God’s Word as spoken through a prophet, Josiah responded to God’s Word by humbling himself. As the prophetess Hulda says to Josiah in verse 27, “Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke…and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord.”
Likewise, if you want to experience God’s power at work in your life, the condition of your heart is crucial. If your heart is prideful and closed, Jesus Christ himself could be preaching and you’ll think to yourself, “[YAWN!] What’s this guy even talking about? What time’s lunch?” The greatest preaching and teaching, the best churches and Christian growth resources will all be wasted on you if you have a closed and prideful heart. But if your heart is soft and humble before God, you will respond, humble yourself, grow and experience God even when you listen to the most boring sermon. That’s because how much you experience of God depends not on your intelligence or your experience, but on the condition of your heart.
In addition, notice that Josiah didn’t just tear his clothes and weep for a moment. Even more, Josiah took concrete actions in response to God’s Word: he draws near to God more, he asks for insight from spiritual leaders, he commits himself to obeying God’s Word, he leads those in his care to do the same, and he tears down idols in his land. What can we learn from this? Responding to God’s Word is not just about being touched or being emotional. Even more it’s about taking action, taking practical steps to obey God’s Word, resulting in a changed life.
Heavenly Father, may I always have a soft and humble heart toward Your Word. Thank You for showing us through Josiah’s example that responding to Your Word is not just about weeping and being emotional, but taking action too. May You be pleased with the way I respond to Your Word. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
