“Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the BOOK OF THE LAW in the house of the LORD.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.” (2 Kings 22:8) What Hilkiah found was the three middle books of the Pentateuch, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers. Josiah the young king had succeeded his father at the age of eight, and in the previous FIFTY–SEVEN YEARS the kingdom had BEEN IN DARKNESS FROM GOD’S WORD.
“Shaphan the scribe went to the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has given me A BOOK.” And Shaphan read it before the king. Now it happened, when the king heard the words of the BOOK OF THE LAW, that he tore his clothes. Then the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, “Go, inquire of the LORD for me, for the people and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the LORD that is aroused against us, because our fathers have NOT OBEYED THE WORDS OF THIS BOOK, to do according to all that is written concerning us.” (2 Kings 22:9-13)
Hilkiah the priest, went to HULDAH THE PROPHETESS, (She dwelt in Jerusalem) And they spoke with her. She said, “…as for the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, in this manner you shall speak to him, ‘Thus says the LORD God of Israel: “Concerning the words which you have heard— because your heart was tender, and YOU HUMBLED YOURSELF before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse, and YOU TORE YOUR CLOTHES AND WEPT before Me, I also have heard you,” says the LORD. Surely, therefore, I will gather you to your fathers, and YOU SHALL BE GATHERED TO YOUR GRAVE IN PEACE; and your eyes shall not see all the calamity which I will bring on this place.” ‘ ” So, they brought back word to the king.” (2 Kings 22:18-20)
“The king went up to the house of the LORD and he read in their hearing all THE WORDS OF THE LAW which HAD BEEN FOUND in the house of the LORD. Then the king stood by a pillar and made a covenant before the LORD, to follow the LORD and to keep His commandments and His testimonies and His statutes, with ALL HIS HEART AND ALL HIS SOUL, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And ALL THE PEOPLE TOOK A STAND FOR THE COVENANT.” (2 Kings 23:2-3)
Let us declare, “I have HIDDEN YOUR WORD IN MY HEART (not in a back-room closet), that I might not sin against you.” (Psalms 119:11)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham