38
Daughters of God
The wife is to stand by the side of the husband as his equal, sharing
all the responsibilities of life, rendering due respect to him who has
selected her for his lifelong companion.—
Manuscript Releases 21:214,
215 (1891
).
The Lord would have the wife render respect unto her husband,
but always as it is fit in the Lord. In the character of Abigail, the wife
of Nabal, we have an illustration of womanhood after the order of
Christ, while her husband illustrates what a man may become who
yields himself to the control of Satan.—
Manuscript Releases 21:213
(1891)
.
Huldah, the Prophetess
This chapter is based on
2 Kings 22
.
[44]
Josiah, from his earliest manhood, had endeavored to take advan-
tage of his position as king to exalt the principles of God’s holy law.
And now, while Shaphan the scribe was reading to him out of the book
of the law, the king discerned in this volume a treasure of knowledge, a
powerful ally, in the work of reform he so much desired to see wrought
in the land. He resolved to walk in the light of its counsels, and also to
do all in his power to acquaint his people with its teachings and to lead
them, if possible, to cultivate reverence and love for the law of heaven.
But was it possible to bring about the needed reform? Israel had
almost reached the limit of divine forbearance; soon God would arise
to punish those who had brought dishonor upon His name. Already
the anger of the Lord was kindled against the people. Overwhelmed
with sorrow and dismay, Josiah rent his garments and bowed before
God in agony of spirit, seeking pardon for the sins of an impenitent
nation.
At that time the prophetess Huldah was living in Jerusalem, near
the temple. The mind of the king, filled with anxious foreboding,
reverted to her, and he determined to inquire of the Lord through this
chosen messenger to learn, if possible, whether by any means within
his power he might save erring Judah, now on the verge of ruin.
The gravity of the situation and the respect in which he held the
prophetess led him to choose as his messengers to her the first men
of the kingdom. “Go ye,” he bade them, “inquire of the Lord for me,