Read 2 Chronicles 34:14-33
There is so much we can glean from today’s passage, which is very similar to King Josiah’s history in 2 Kings 22. The key piece fueling this story is that a scroll containing God’s law, originally given by God to Moses, has been found. The king is overcome with the news, especially when he has heard the contents of the scroll.
King Josiah humbly acknowledges, seeks God, obeys God, leads others to return to God. He does all these things despite the fact he knows God’s anger is still burning under the surface, promising to bring judgment after Josiah’s lifetime. Hence, there’s a lot going on here to reflect on.
As you contemplate the hidden gems God has for you today in this passage, let Josiah be a good role model. Josiah received a pretty intense message from God as the scroll of the law was read to him. They had been playing the “game of life” all these years without knowing the rules. Have you ever played a game and made up the rules as you went because you didn’t know or remember how to play?
Over time, the LORD’s people had forgotten the rules. They were hard. There were so many to remember (over 600 I believe)! We can probably understand perfectly why these laws had “gone by the wayside.” People don’t like to fail. Our human nature prompts us to dislike being controlled. Josiah brought the law back in front of the people and expected them to follow it.
Josiah would seek God’s counsel about how best to handle the situation. That’s a good reminder for us. Rather than forge forward into each day blindly, finding our way without God, why not ask God to join you from the moment your feet hit the floor.
Now that Josiah has the law, he wants to obey it. Do you think he hopes he can change God’s mind permanently from destroying Jerusalem and all the faithful people from the remnant of Judah and Israel? If he could only save future generations, he must be thinking.
Josiah knows that his faith alone won’t make that big of a difference. His faith has already saved his own generation from destruction. Josiah realizes that God’s words are true and to be depended on. Do we ever wonder about God’s law? Does it still apply to us today?
God, the creator of all things, knows best—would you agree? Our Father wouldn’t have given such laws if he didn’t think they were in our best interest at the time. God must have also known his created humans would be needing a Savior to rescue them from the bondage of sin resulting from breaking those laws.
That’s when we enter the picture of God’s story. After Jesus has come to show us the way, he helps recommit us to following the law because it’s the right thing to do and keeps us from sinning. Jesus ushered in the “new covenant” or new promise from God based on grace-filled salvation. Obeying the law will not be enough to get us into everlasting life. We need Jesus.
Josiah wanted his people to be able to pass a future on to their children. He knew their only hope would be to be true worshippers of the one true God. What better way to show tribute and honor than to obey the laws which had now been re-revealed. What a find!
Let’s pray. LORD, I thank you for how your word gives us exactly what we need when need it. I know in my heart that obeying your laws is the right thing to do, and I thank you that it is accessible to me. Help me do a better job of being obedient, yet I trust that my salvation lies in Jesus, my friend and King. Thank you for what you have done for me. Knowing my future lies with you fuels me through each day. I love you, Lord. In Jesus’ precious name. Amen.
