Huldah

When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes.  He gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Akbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant: “Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the LORD’s anger that burns against us because those who have gone before us have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us.”

~II KIngs 22:11-13

Judah had followed false gods for many years.  What do you think made Josiah receptive to God and this reading of his law?

• I think that it was the fact that if his people did not follow God's law, most of the tme they would be put to death

think of a time you were tremendously sorry for your past or for something you had done.  How did you pray?  How did you feel?

• I prayed with deep sorrow in my heart.  As I did so I coudl feel myself trembling as I asked for forgiveness

Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Akbor, Shaphan and Asaiah went to speak to the prophet Huldah, who was the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the New Quarter.

~II KIngs 22:14

Describe what you think Huldah might have been like: her person, her character, her relationship with God.

• I think Huldah would be welcoming, honest, and that she would have a great relationship with God

What about your description of Huldah would you like to be true of you?  What can you do to develope that part of your character?

• A lot of what I said above I believe I already have in my life.  But I know we all could use a tune up now and then when it comes to our relationship with God.

She said to them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Tell the man who sent you to me,  ‘This is what the LORD says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people, according to everything written in the book the king of Judah has read.  Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods and aroused my anger by all the idols their hands have made, my anger will burn against this place and will not be quenched.’

~II KIngs 22:15-17

Why was God so angry with his people?  What was he planning to do?

• God was angry with the people because they were worshiping false gods, so he was going to destory them

What has our nation done to deserve God's judgement?

• Although not all politicians are bad, but there are many out there to satisfy their own needs

Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says concerning the words you heard:  Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people—that they would become a curse and be laid waste—and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I also have heard you, declares the LORD.  Therefore I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place.’”

So they took her answer back to the king.

~II KIngs 22:18-20

What was God's specific word to Josaih?  Why was God's response to Josiah different from his response to the people?

• Obey my laws or I will send judgemetn upon you
• because he saw how sorry Josiah was

What have you done that deserves God's judgement?  Do you think God's response to you will be like his response to Josiah or to the people?  what will make the difference?

• Keeping secrets from people
• I hope, since I'm sorry about it, this His response will be more like what Josiah received
• the difference is whether you have prayed about your sins or not that will determine how you will be judged