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Prophets and Kings
Thus Josiah, from his earliest manhood, had endeavored to take
advantage 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,
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and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this
book that is found: for great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled
against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of
this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning
us.”
2 Kings 22:13
.
Through Huldah the Lord sent Josiah word that Jerusalem’s ruin
could not be averted. Even should the people now humble themselves
before God, they could not escape their punishment. So long had their
senses been deadened by wrongdoing that, if judgment should not
come upon them, they would soon return to the same sinful course.
“Tell the man that sent you to me,” the prophetess declared, “Thus
saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the
inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of
Judah hath read: because they have forsaken Me, and have burned