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Commentary on 2 Chronicles 34 verses 14–28
This whole paragraph we had, just as it is here related, Kg2 22:8-20, and have nothing to add here to what was there observed. But, 1. We may hence take occasion to bless God that we have plenty of Bibles, and that they are, or may be, in all hands, - that the book of the law and gospel is not lost, is not scarce, - that, in this sense, the word of the Lord is not precious. Bibles are jewels, but, thanks be to God, they are not rarities. The fountain of the waters of life is not a spring shut up or a fountain sealed, but the streams of it, in all places, make glad the city of our God. Usus communis aquarum - These waters flow for general use. What a great deal shall we have to answer for if the great things of God's law, being thus made common, should be accounted by us as strange things! 2. We may hence learn, whenever we read or hear the word of God, to affect our hearts with it, and to get them possessed with a holy fear of that wrath of God which is there revealed against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, as Josiah's tender heart was. When he heard the words of the law he rent his clothes (Ch2 34:19), and God was well pleased with his doing so, Ch2 34:27. Were the things contained in the scripture new to us, as they were here to Josiah, surely they would make deeper impressions upon us than commonly they do; but they are not the less weighty, and therefore should not be the less considered by us, for their being well known. Rend the heart therefore, not the garments. 3. We are here directed when we are under convictions of sin, and apprehensions of divine wrath, to enquire of the Lord; so Josiah did, Ch2 34:21. It concerns us to ask (as they did, Act 2:37), Men and brethren, what shall we do? and more particularly (as the jailor), What must I do to be saved? Act 16:30. If you will thus enquire, enquire (Isa 21:12); and, blessed be God, we have the lively oracles to which to apply with these enquiries. 4. We are here warned of the ruin that sin brings upon nations and kingdoms. Those that forsake God bring evil upon themselves (Ch2 34:24, Ch2 34:25), and kindle a fire which shall not be quenched. Such will the fire of God's wrath be when the decree has gone forth against those that obstinately and impenitently persist in their wicked ways. 5. We are here encouraged to humble ourselves before God and seek unto him, as Josiah did. If we cannot prevail thereby to turn away God's wrath from our land, yet we shall deliver our own souls, Ch2 34:27, Ch2 34:28. And good people are here taught to be so far from fearing death as to welcome it rather when it takes them away from the evil to come. See how the property of it is altered by making it the matter of a promise: Thou shalt be gathered to thy grave in peace, housed in that ark, as Noah, when a deluge is coming.
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SUMMARY
Upon the dramatic rediscovery of the Book of the Law, King Josiah, deeply convicted by the nation's long history of covenant disobedience, immediately sought divine counsel. Recognizing the severe implications of their ancestral and current sin, he acknowledged the "great wrath of the LORD" justly being poured out upon them due to their fathers' failure to keep God's commands as written in the sacred text. This urgent inquiry marked a pivotal moment in Judah's spiritual awakening, initiating comprehensive reforms and a renewed pursuit of God's will.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several powerful literary devices to convey its urgency, theological weight, and emotional impact. The immediate, imperative command "Go, enquire" conveys Urgency and highlights Josiah's decisive, repentant leadership in the face of crisis. The phrase "great is the wrath of the LORD that is poured out upon us" uses Hyperbole to emphasize the extreme severity and overwhelming nature of God's judgment, while the verb "poured out" functions as a vivid Metaphor for the abundant, inescapable, and active nature of this divine indignation, like a flood or torrent. Furthermore, the verse implicitly uses Contrast by juxtaposing Josiah's humble, obedient response with the long history of his "fathers" who "have not kept the word of the LORD," thereby highlighting the generational sin that has led to the current crisis. The "book that is found" serves as a potent Symbol of God's forgotten covenant, His enduring truth, and the divine standard against which Judah's actions are measured, bringing both conviction and the potential for renewal.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This pivotal verse encapsulates the profound theological truth that God's Word is living, active, and carries immense authority, capable of exposing sin and demanding a response. Josiah's reaction demonstrates the necessary humility and repentance required when confronted with divine truth. It underscores the biblical principle that covenant disobedience inevitably leads to divine judgment, not as an arbitrary act, but as a righteous consequence of breaking faith with a holy God. The "wrath of the LORD" is a consistent theme throughout Scripture, signifying God's just opposition to all unrighteousness and His commitment to upholding His covenant. Yet, Josiah's immediate act of seeking God's counsel also points to the hope of mercy and the possibility of averting or mitigating judgment through sincere repentance and a return to obedience, a theme beautifully articulated in prophetic calls for national repentance and divine grace.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
King Josiah's response to the rediscovered Book of the Law serves as a timeless and powerful model for believers today. His profound conviction, immediate repentance, and urgent pursuit of God's will highlight the transformative power of Scripture in our lives. When we encounter God's Word, whether through personal reading, faithful preaching, or diligent study, it should not be treated as mere information but as a divine revelation that calls for a heartfelt response. Like Josiah, we must allow the Word to expose our sin, both individual and corporate, and lead us to humble repentance. This verse reminds us that there are real, often severe, consequences for neglecting God's commands, both in our personal lives and in the broader society. However, it also offers profound hope: genuine seeking of God, accompanied by sincere repentance, can lead to mercy, forgiveness, and a path toward spiritual renewal and revival. We are called to diligently "enquire of the LORD" through prayer, dedicated study, and seeking wise, godly counsel, trusting in His guidance even when confronted with uncomfortable truths about our own failings or the spiritual state of the world around us.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was "the book that is found" that caused such a strong reaction?
Answer: While the text does not explicitly name it, scholarly consensus suggests that "the book that is found" was most likely a copy of the Book of Deuteronomy, or at least a significant portion of the Pentateuch. Deuteronomy contains the core covenant stipulations, including detailed laws, blessings for obedience, and severe curses for disobedience (e.g., Deuteronomy 28). Its rediscovery would have brought to light the full extent of Israel's covenant obligations and the dire consequences of their long-standing unfaithfulness, which had been largely forgotten or ignored during generations of idolatry and spiritual decline.
Why did Josiah tear his clothes upon hearing the words of the book?
Answer: Tearing one's clothes was a deeply symbolic and culturally understood act in ancient Israel, signifying profound distress, grief, mourning, or repentance. For King Josiah, hearing the words of the Law and recognizing how far the nation, including his ancestors, had strayed from God's commands, produced overwhelming conviction. It was an outward manifestation of his inward anguish, humility, and immediate repentance in the face of God's holy requirements and the impending judgment. This act is also seen in other biblical figures, such as Job (Job 1:20) and the high priest Caiaphas, albeit for different reasons (Matthew 26:65).
Who was Huldah the prophetess, and why did Josiah send his officials to her?
Answer: Huldah was a prophetess living in Jerusalem during Josiah's reign, as mentioned in 2 Chronicles 34:22. Josiah sent his officials to her to "enquire of the LORD" because she was recognized as a legitimate spokesperson for God, endowed with divine authority. In a time when male prophets like Jeremiah and Zephaniah were also active, Josiah's choice to consult Huldah demonstrates that God used both men and women to deliver His messages. Her confirmation of the words of the book and the impending judgment, along with a special word of grace for Josiah due to his humble heart, validated the divine authority of the discovered scroll and affirmed Josiah's righteous response.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The "great wrath of the LORD" that Josiah feared for his people, revealed by the rediscovered Law, finds its ultimate and most profound resolution in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. The Law, while exposing the depth of Judah's sin and the just judgment it incurred, could not provide a remedy for that sin; rather, it served as a "tutor to bring us to Christ" (Galatians 3:24). The wrath that was "poured out upon us" due to ancestral and national disobedience was fully and perfectly absorbed by the Lamb of God on the cross. Jesus, the ultimate Son of David, did what no earthly king could: He bore the full weight of God's righteous indignation against sin, becoming a propitiation for our transgressions (Romans 3:25). Through His atoning sacrifice, those who believe are saved from the wrath to come (Romans 5:9). Furthermore, Josiah's desperate act of "enquiring of the LORD" foreshadows Christ as our ultimate High Priest and Intercessor, through whom we can confidently approach God's throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). The "word of the LORD" that was found and brought conviction is ultimately fulfilled in Christ, who is the Living Word (John 1:1), embodying all that is written and bringing about the true and lasting spiritual transformation and reconciliation that Josiah longed for.