2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 34: Josiah seeks the LORD while young

Begin in prayer

Before we hear how the book of the law was found in the LORD's house, let us pray. Ask God to teach us to love His written word, and to lead us to Jesus, of whom it speaks.

God, you have taught me from my youth. Until now, I have declared your wondrous works.

Psalm 71:17

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Thank You that Your written word was found and read, and show us Jesus, of whom it speaks. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Josiah becomes king at eight, and while still young he begins to seek the God of David his father. In his twelfth year he purges Judah and Jerusalem of the high places, Asherah poles and images. In his eighteenth year he has the LORD's house repaired, and Hilkiah the priest finds the book of the law. Shaphan reads it to the king, and when Josiah hears its words, he tears his clothes. Huldah the prophetess says evil will come on that place, but the LORD has heard Josiah's tender heart. Josiah reads the whole book aloud and makes a covenant to follow the LORD with all his heart.

As you read 2 Chronicles 34, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God's word was found in His house, and it moved Josiah to make a covenant to follow the LORD.

Josiah became king at eight, and while still young he began to seek the God of David (verses 1 to 3). Seeking the LORD came first, and the cleansing of Judah followed in his twelfth year (verse 3). Six years later Josiah had the LORD's house repaired, and Hilkiah found the book of the law (verses 8 and 14). When Shaphan read it, Josiah tore his clothes (verses 18 and 19). He said the LORD's wrath was great, because their fathers had not kept the LORD's word (verse 21). Huldah said evil would come on that place, but the LORD had heard Josiah, whose heart was tender (verses 24 to 27). Josiah read the book aloud and made a covenant to follow the LORD with all his heart (verses 30 and 31). All his days the people did not depart from following the LORD (verse 33). This shows that God speaks through His written word, and that hearing it calls His people to follow Him.

How does 2 Chronicles 34 show us that God's word was found in His house, and that it moved Josiah to make a covenant to follow the LORD?

Josiah began to seek the God of David while he was young.

Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign (verse 1). He did right in the LORD's eyes and walked in the ways of David (verse 2). In his eighth year he began to seek the God of David his father (verse 3). In his twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of the idols (verse 3).

Hilkiah found the book of the law, and Josiah tore his clothes.

Josiah sent men to repair the LORD's house in his eighteenth year (verse 8). While they brought out the money, Hilkiah the priest found the book of the LORD's law given by Moses (verse 14). Shaphan read from it to the king, and when Josiah heard the words, he tore his clothes (verses 18 and 19). He sent to inquire of the LORD, for His wrath was great, since their fathers had not kept His word (verse 21).

Josiah made a covenant to walk after the LORD.

Huldah answered that evil would come on that place, because the people had forsaken the LORD (verses 24 and 25). She said the LORD had heard Josiah, because his heart was tender (verse 27). Josiah read all the words of the book of the covenant in their hearing (verse 30). He promised before the LORD, in a covenant, to follow Him with all his heart and all his soul (verse 31).

Jesus said the Scriptures testify about Him.

Jesus said that the Scriptures testify about Him (John 5 verse 39). He said that Moses wrote about Him (John 5 verse 46). The book of the law that Hilkiah found was given by Moses, and it points to Jesus.

Memorise

All his days they didn’t depart from following Yahweh, the God of their fathers.

2 Chronicles 34:33

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, will I seek God while I am young, and trust Jesus?

Josiah heard the law read, and he tore his clothes. Jesus said that the Scriptures testify about Him, and that Moses wrote about Him (John 5 verses 39 and 46). The book that Hilkiah found points to Jesus.

The law shows how far we are from God, and Josiah's tears could not wipe out Judah's sin. Jesus kept the law for His people. At the cross He took the curse of the law on Himself for them (Galatians 3 verse 13). That sacrifice was enough for them all. He rose, and He brings His people back to God.

So come to Him. Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Everyone who trusts Him will be forgiven, and will be shown how to follow Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God's written word was found in His house, and that all the Scriptures speak of Jesus. Parents, verses 4 and 5 tell of idols and bones being destroyed, so please tell the main story and skip those details. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for His written word, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

For you are my hope, Lord Yahweh; my confidence from my youth.

Psalm 71:5

Father, thank You that Your word was found and read. Thank You for Jesus, of whom Moses wrote, who died for His people and rose. Please give each of us a heart to repent and trust Him. Amen.