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Josiah and Huldah, September 16
Go ye, inquire of the Lord for me, 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
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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? From all that he
could learn from the reading of the volume before him, 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 prophet-
ess, 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, 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.”—
The Review and Herald, July 22, 1915
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