You can find this week’s focus Scripture at – 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2+Kings+22%3A14-20&version=NRSV

And if you want read 2 Kings 23 here is a link – 

https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%2023&version=NRSV

VII.

After Josiah had heard the book of the covenant read to him, and after he sent the delegation to the prophet Huldah, and after the delegation returned to him with the words of Huldah which to my reading praised Josiah, 

But as to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, thus shall you say to him, Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel: Regarding the words that you have heard,  because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the Lord, when you heard how I spoke against this place, and against its inhabitants… and because you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, says the Lord. Therefore, I will gather you to your ancestors, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace; your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring on this place.”  (2 Kings 22:18-20)

… and spoke of the destruction awaiting Judah,

Thus says the Lord, I will indeed bring disaster on this place and on its inhabitants—all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read. Because they have abandoned me and have made offerings to other gods, so that they have provoked me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore my wrath will be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched…. this place, and … its inhabitants… they should become a desolation and a curse, (2 Kings 22:16-17, 19) 

… Josiah was left with decisions to make as to the course he would take.

VIII.

Will he resign himself to the wait for the destruction of the Judah? And his own death before the destruction comes?

Will he bargain with God and make promises in the hope that Judah will not be destroyed?

Or will he attempt to be faithful to the covenant regardless of what may come and do what lies in his power to return Judah to faithful covenant life regardless of what the future holds for them?

IX.

You and I may not be able to command a nation but it does lie within us to attempt to live faithfully into the Kingdom of God.

So … what will we do?

charles

{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}