Imagine if astronauts had found a manuscript on the moon, or on Mars. But a book from heaven?
It had been 250 years since the temple had been repaired—in the days of Jehoash (2 Ki 12:4-5). Horrible desecration had been committed on the Lord’s house, much of it by Josiah’s father and grandfather. At age 20, Josiah set about to provide a suitable place for his people to worship. Shaphan the scribe was instructed to “Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may count the money which has been brought into the house of the Lord…And let them deliver it into the hand of those doing the work…to repair the damages of the house” (22:3-5). For six years they labored (you must peek at Chronicles to learn this). Then one day when Shaphan arrived at the job site, Hilkiah had some surprising news. “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord” (v 8). Shaphan reported to the king that the money was being handled well (v 9). Oh, one more thing. “‘Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.’ And Shaphan read it before the king” (v 10). Let’s pause and ask: When you read something in the Word that you haven’t obeyed, what’s your reaction? Josiah “tore his clothes” (v 11). Then he called for a summit to “inquire of the Lord…concerning the words of this book that has been found” (v 13). Although Jeremiah and Zephaniah lived nearby, the men went to Huldah, a prophetess who lived in the city. Privately she presented two messages, clearly from God. First, it was too late to turn away the curses Judah had heaped on herself. But second, Josiah, “‘because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the Lord…I also have heard you,’ says the Lord” (v 19). The judgment would come, but after Josiah’s reign and life were complete. As C.T. Lacey writes, “Hard hearts…invite the Lord’s judgment,…soft hearts attract His mercy.”