DISCOVERY OF THE BOOK OF THE LAW
Text: 2 Kings 22; 2 Chronicles 34
29 March 2011
(I) DISCOVERY OF THE BOOK OF THE LAW
1. Hilkiah the high priest found the Book of the Law of Moses (2 Chronicles 34:14)
2. The Book is presented to Shaphan the royal scribe (2 Chronicles 34:15)
3. The Book is then brought to King Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:16)
4. A Report on the progress of the repair of the Temple was also given to the king (2 Chronicles 34:16-17)
a) The work was progressing well
b) The building fund was well managed
5. Shaphan read the Book of the Law to the king (2 Chronicles 34:18)
(II) RESPONSE OF KING JOSIAH (2 CHRONICLES 34:19)
1. He recognised that the Book was truly from Moses
2. He tore his clothes as an expression of great grief
3. Royal command given
“Go, inquire of the LORD for me, and for those who are left in Israel and Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found; for great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out on us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the LORD, to do according to all that is written in this book.” 2 Chronicles 34:21
4. Team charged to inquire of the LORD
a) Hilkiah
b) Ahikam the son of Shaphan
c) Abdon the son of Micah
d) Shaphan the scribe
e) Asaiah a servant of the king
(III) CONSULTING WITH HULDAH THE PROPHETESS
1. Hilkiah and team sought Huldah the prophetess (2 Chronicles 34:22)
2. Identity of Huldah
a) The wife of Shallum (2 Chronicles 34:22)
b) She was a resident in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 34:22)
3. Advice from Huldah the prophetess
a) A word from the Lord was given to Josiah (2 Chronicles 34:23)
b) Calamity will come to the land (2 Chronicles 34:24)
c) Curses in the Law of Moses will be fulfilled (2 Chronicles 34:24)
d) Reasons:
i) The people had forsaken the Lord (2 Chronicles 34:25)
ii) They had worshipped other gods (2 Chronicles 34:25)
iii) They had provoked the Lord to great anger (2 Chronicles 34:25)
iv) God’s Wrath will not be quenched this time (2 Chronicles 34:25)
e) A special word to king Josiah
i) Because of his humility (2 Chronicles 34:27)
ii) Because he had wept before the Lord (2 Chronicles 34:27)
iii) He will be not suffer the calamity God intended to bring upon the land (2 Chronicles 34:28)
(IV) MAKING A COVENANT BEFORE THE LORD (2 CHRONICLES 34:29-33)
1. The king, the priests, the Levites, the elders, all the people (2 Chronicles 34:29-30)
2. Reading of the Law of Moses (2 Chronicles 34:30)
3. Covenant of the people (2 Chronicles 34:31-33)
To follow the Lord and to keep all His commandments