HISTORICAL CONTEXT

The reign of King Josiah is recounted in 2 Chronicles 34–35, with a parallel account in 2 Kings 22–23. Josiah, following the example of his great-grandfather Hezekiah, reorganizes the Passover into a national celebration and focuses on restoring the Temple, which had been defiled by the idolatrous practices of his father Amon and grandfather Manasseh. Unlike Hezekiah, who acted hastily, Josiah carefully plans and systematizes the event, ensuring the priests and Levites are properly prepared to lead the sacrifices, and that the festival occurs on the prescribed day.

In 2 Kings, Josiah is prompted to initiate religious reform when a book of the Law is discovered in the Temple. In 2 Chronicles, however, Josiah begins his reforms before the discovery, driven by personal faith and piety at the age of sixteen. By twenty, he is actively purging the land of idolatry. During the reforms, the high priest Hilkiah finds “the book of the law of the LORD given through Moses.” Scholars have debated whether this book is Deuteronomy or the entire Pentateuch, with recent scholarship suggesting the latter due to descriptions resembling a Persian-era reference to the Pentateuch.

Josiah seeks guidance from the prophetess Huldah, who reveals God’s impending judgment on Judah. However, because of Josiah’s faith and piety, he is promised a peaceful death, spared from witnessing the coming devastation. Josiah then makes a covenant with God to follow the terms of the discovered book, requiring the people of Judah and the remnant in Israel to do the same. As a result, the destruction of Judah and Jerusalem is postponed until 587 BCE.

Commentary

As we turn to 2 Chronicles 34:15-22, 26-27, we are invited into a pivotal moment in the history of Judah and the life of King Josiah. This passage recounts the discovery of the Book of the Law in the temple, a finding that would drastically alter the course of Josiah’s reign and the spiritual direction of the nation. Josiah, though young, demonstrated a profound sensitivity to God’s Word, responding with humility and urgency. His reaction is a powerful reminder of how the Word of God, when truly encountered, can transform hearts and lead to deep spiritual renewal.

The backdrop of this passage is significant. The nation of Judah had strayed far from God’s commandments under the reigns of Manasseh and Amon, Josiah’s grandfather and father. Idolatry and spiritual decay were rampant, and the Book of the Law had been neglected, perhaps even forgotten. When it was found and read to Josiah, the king was struck with the weight of Judah’s disobedience and the impending judgment that had been prophesied.

Josiah’s response to the reading of the Law was one of deep repentance. He tore his clothes, a sign of mourning and sorrow, and immediately sought to understand God’s will by inquiring of the prophetess Huldah. His actions illustrate a key truth for us today: when we are confronted with God’s Word, our response matters. Josiah did not ignore or dismiss the message but allowed it to penetrate his heart and drive him to action.

As we study this passage, we are encouraged to examine our own hearts. How do we respond when we encounter God’s Word? Are we open to correction, and willing to make changes? Josiah’s story challenges us to approach Scripture with a humble and obedient spirit, ready to align our lives with God’s will.

God’s Word is Recovered (2 Chronicles 34: 15—17)

As we delve into 2 Chronicles 34:15-17, we encounter the moment when God’s Word is recovered during a time of spiritual darkness in Judah. Hilkiah, the high priest, finds the Book of the Law in the temple, a discovery that sets in motion a chain of events that would profoundly impact the nation. This passage underscores the importance of God’s Word in guiding His people and the consequences of its neglect.

The recovery of the Book of the Law was no ordinary event. The Law had been forgotten, buried under years of idolatry and disobedience. Its rediscovery was, in essence, a rediscovery of God’s voice, His commands, and His covenant with His people. When Hilkiah handed the book to Shaphan the scribe, who then brought it to King Josiah, the Word of God was reintroduced to a generation that had largely lost touch with it. This moment is a powerful reminder that God’s Word, even when forgotten by people, remains alive and ready to bring light and direction when it is rediscovered.

For Josiah, the recovery of the Law was more than a historical or religious artifact; it was the living Word of God, carrying the weight of divine authority and instruction. Shaphan’s reading of the book to the king was the beginning of a spiritual awakening, one that would lead Josiah to profound repentance and reform. The simplicity of this scene—Hilkiah finding the book and Shaphan reading it—carries a profound truth: the Word of God, when uncovered and engaged with, has the power to transform lives and nations.

As we reflect on this passage, we are challenged to consider our own engagement with Scripture. Are there areas in our lives where God’s Word has been neglected or forgotten? Just as the discovery of the Law brought about revival in Judah, so too can a renewed commitment to God’s Word bring renewal in our lives. The recovery of God’s Word is a call to rediscover His voice, allowing it to guide, correct, and inspire us to live in alignment with His will.

God’s Word is Read (2 Chronicles 34: 18—19)

In 2 Chronicles 34:18-19, the narrative moves from the discovery of God’s Word to its public reading before King Josiah. This moment is significant, as it shows the power of God’s Word when it is proclaimed and heard. Shaphan the scribe takes the book discovered by Hilkiah and reads it aloud to Josiah, marking a crucial turning point in the king’s life and reign.

The reading of the Book of the Law is not a mere formality; it is a divine encounter. As Shaphan reads, the weight of the words strikes Josiah’s heart. The Law reveals the holiness of God and the extent of Judah’s deviation from His commands. Josiah’s immediate reaction—tearing his clothes in grief and repentance—reflects the deep conviction that God’s Word brings when it is truly heard and understood. This was not just an intellectual recognition of Judah’s sins but a profound, emotional response to the realization of how far the nation had strayed from God’s ways.

Josiah’s response highlights the transformative power of Scripture. The Word of God is living and active, capable of piercing the heart and exposing the thoughts and intentions of the soul (Hebrews 4:12). When we hear God’s Word with open hearts, it reveals the truth about our lives—both the areas where we are walking in obedience and the areas where we fall short. Josiah’s reaction teaches us the importance of allowing God’s Word to penetrate our hearts, leading us to repentance and change.

This passage challenges us to approach the reading of Scripture with the same openness and humility that Josiah displayed. It is not enough to hear God’s Word; we must let it move us, convict us, and drive us toward a deeper commitment to God’s will. Josiah’s response serves as a model for how we should react when confronted with the truth of God’s Word—by allowing it to transform us from the inside out.

God’s Word is Revered (2 Chronicles 34: 20—22, 26—27)

In 2 Chronicles 34:20-22, 26-27, we see how King Josiah reveres God’s Word and responds with deep humility and reverence. After hearing the Book of the Law read to him, Josiah does not merely react emotionally; he takes deliberate steps to seek further understanding and guidance from the Lord. This passage illustrates the depth of Josiah’s reverence for God’s Word and his commitment to aligning his life and reign with its teachings.

Josiah’s first action is to send a delegation to inquire of the LORD, seeking the counsel of the prophetess Huldah. This decision highlights Josiah’s recognition that God’s Word is not to be taken lightly. He understands that the words of the Law are not just historical records or religious traditions; they are the living words of God that demand a response. By consulting Huldah, Josiah demonstrates his desire to fully grasp the implications of what he has heard and to know how he should proceed in light of God’s revealed will.

Huldah’s message confirms the severity of Judah’s situation and the certainty of coming judgment. Yet, because of Josiah’s tender heart and humility before God, he is promised peace and spared from witnessing the disaster that would befall his people. Josiah’s response to God’s Word—tearing his clothes, seeking God’s guidance, and humbling himself—illustrates a deep reverence that acknowledges both the holiness of God and the seriousness of His commands.

This passage calls us to revere God’s Word in our own lives. Like Josiah, we are to approach Scripture with a heart that is open, humble, and eager to align with God’s will. Revering God’s Word means more than just reading it; it involves seeking to understand its full meaning, applying its truths to our lives, and responding in obedience. Josiah’s example teaches us that when we truly revere God’s Word, it will lead us to a deeper relationship with Him, marked by humility, repentance, and a desire to live according to His ways.

May we, like Josiah, learn to revere God’s Word with our whole hearts, allowing it to shape our thoughts, actions, and lives, so that we may walk in His truth and experience the peace that comes from living in obedience to Him.

Conclusion

In 2 Chronicles 34:15-22, 26-27, we encounter the transformative power of God’s Word through the story of King Josiah. The phrase “Finders Keepers!” usually implies that whatever is found is rightfully kept by the one who discovers it. But in Josiah’s case, what was found was far more than a mere possession—it was the Word of God, hidden and forgotten, yet once uncovered, it demanded a response that would change the course of an entire nation.

Josiah’s experience teaches us that when we “find” God’s Word, we don’t merely keep it to ourselves as a treasure to be stored away. Instead, we are called to engage with it deeply, allowing it to impact every aspect of our lives. Josiah’s immediate reaction—tearing his clothes in grief and sending for further guidance—reveals his understanding that God’s Word is a living force, not to be taken lightly. His actions reflect a heart that is open to correction and eager to align with God’s will.

The lesson for us is clear: when we encounter the truth of Scripture, we must allow it to penetrate our hearts and change our lives. God’s Word is not meant to be hidden away or forgotten, but to be discovered, cherished, and lived out. Like Josiah, we must revere what we find in God’s Word, seeking to understand it fully and respond in obedience.

As we conclude our study, let us reflect on the value of God’s Word in our own lives. Are there areas where it has been neglected or forgotten? Have we truly allowed its truths to shape our actions and decisions? Josiah’s story challenges us to be “keepers” of the Word in the truest sense—by letting it lead us into deeper communion with God and faithful living. May we, like Josiah, find God’s Word, keep it close, and let it guide us every step of the way.