2Chronicles 34.18-19 l RESPONSE TO READING GOD’S WORD

Today’s reading: 2Chronicles 34.01-36.23

2Chronicles 34.18-19 “18 Moreover, Shaphan the scribe told the king saying, “Hilkiah the priest gave me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king. 19 When the king heard the words of the law, he tore his clothes.”

The chronicler in today’s reading gives us the last years of the Southern Kingdom. We read about the reign and reformation of Josiah (2Chronicles 34.01-35.27), and the last three kings of the Southern Kingdom (2Chronicles 36.01-23).

Josiah ordered the Temple to be repaired (2Chronicles 34.08-13), and in the restoration process, Hilkiah the priest (Kohen) found a copy of the book of the Law of Moses (2Chronicles 34.14-17). Many commentaries and the like debate whether this was the Torah (A.K.A. the Pentateuch-the first five books of the Bible, Genesis-Deuteronomy), or just the Book of Deuteronomy.

When Shaphan the scribe gave Josiah an update on the progress of the Temple restoration, he also told him that Hilkiah found a copy of the Law, and read a portion from it. Realizing the significance of the passage that was read to him, Josiah tore his robes, which was an expression of great grief (2Chronicles 34.18-19). Immediately, Josiah asked that the entire Law be studied and to determine what the will of the LORD is (2Chronicles 34.20-22).

They found out that the LORD was going to bring judgment upon the land according to the curses that were written in the newly discovered scroll (probably included Deuteronomy 28.15-68 or Leviticus 26.14-39). The judgment would be delayed until after Josiah’s death because of the Godly sorrow and repentance of Josiah (2Chronicles 34.23-28; Romans 02.04; 2Corinthians 07.09-11).