2 Chronicles 34:22–33

Read the passage.

To inquire of the Lord, Josiah’s men go to the prophetess Huldah. We are given surprising details about who Huldah is, but not nearly enough for my curiosity. Her grandfather-in-law was “keeper of the wardrobe” and she lived in the Second Quarter of Jerusalem. These are interesting things about her that we don’t usually see about the prophets, especially those who don’t have their own writings preserved for us. I also suspect this is how they knew to ask her what the Lord had said: “Keeper of the wardrobe” might be a position in the royal house, and if he heard that the king wanted to ask the Lord what to do, he could have said to them, “My grandson’s wife receives words from the Lord. She lives at such-and-such street in the Second Quarter.” Now I want to know how the rest of her life and ministry went. How often did the Lord tell her, “Say to my people”, and which people did she speak to? Did they listen?

What we do know, however, is that the king’s men and the high priest did find her, and she was able to tell them what the Lord was going to do. Josiah had grieved because he had heard the curses that would befall the people of Israel if they abandoned the Lord to go after idols, because he knew they certainly had done that. Huldah confirms that the disasters described in the curses would come eventually, but she offers some consolation as well. The Lord recognized Josiah’s contrite heart and heard his grief, so He will not fulfill the curse in Josiah’s lifetime.

When Josiah hears the word of the Lord from Huldah, he gathers together all of the elders of the people. He reads to them the same book that was read to him, and he calls them all to make a covenant anew with the Lord that they will keep His commandments as were written in the book. This may be an effort to continue to avert the disaster that is coming, but it is also the right response to hearing God’s word regardless. The Lord had also promised blessing on those who obeyed Him, and beyond that He has the authority to order His creation.

Increase our obedience and our love for You.