One day, when King Josiah of Judah had sent his secretary to the High Priest Hilkiah, the secretary returned with this message: “Hilkiah has found a book.” (2Kings11:8) It was the book of all the laws given to Moses hundreds of years before when the Isrealites left Egypt to travel to the Promised Land. The Book of Laws had been forgotten for generations. Pagan idols had been installed in the temple and throughout Judah.

In the book, Josiah learned of the covenant laws, and realized the dismaying fact that many Israelites no longer acknowledged the God of Moses and David. When the King heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes. He gave orders to Hilkiah . . . “Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for . . .all Judah about what is written in this book.. . Great is the Lord’s anger that burns against us because those who have gone before us have not obeyed the words of this book.” ( 2 Kings22:11-13)

Huldah was a prophetess who lived in Jerusalem ; and Josiah sent Hilkiah and some others to her for a word from the God of the Book. Huldah spoke from God,. . “.Because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I also have heard you,” declares the Lord. . . “Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place’.” (2Kings 18-20)

In this incident God reveals some of the very essential aspects of His character. It was no accident that Hilkiah should find the Book before the exile, while Josiah, the faithful king,was on the throne. Josiah’s response would give a reprieve to Judah of at least a few years before the exile would occur.Josiah banished and destroyed the pagan gods from both the temple and all of the land. Before the invasion from Babylon, Judah would celebrate the greatest Passover in the memory f his people. It restored a measure of unity and a consciousness of Israel’s historic identity as the people of the Living God.

Josiah had caught a glimpse of God’s immense power and sense of justice from reading the Book, and when Hulduh delivered to Josiah God’s words to him, she revealed the heart of the Christ in giving Josiah personal reprieve for his lifetime. God’s love for Israel was focused on the king who responded to God’s Word which Josiah read in the Book. It brought a short reprieve to Judah, and planted a spiritual memory that would accompany the covenant people in exile after Josiah’s death.

With the birth of Jesus, and even before, the Book of Josiah’s time grew to reveal the Christ. We all own that Book. It is even more powerful today than ever.

Love in Him,

Prue