SS Lesson November 12th, 2006 2nd Kings 22(8-10), 23(1-3)(21-23)
Hilkiah the High Priest (from Easton’s Bible Dictionary)
“portion of Jehovah.”
The high priest in the reign of Josiah ( 1 Chronicles 6:13; Ezra 7:1). To him and his deputy ( 2 Kings 23:5), along with the ordinary priests and the Levites who had charge of the gates, was entrusted the purification of the temple in Jerusalem. While this was in progress, he discovered in some hidden corner of the building a book called the "book of the law" ( 2 Kings 22:8) and the "book of the covenant" ( 23:2). Some have supposed that this "book" was nothing else than the original autograph copy of the Pentateuch written by Moses ( Deuteronomy 31:9-26). This remarkable discovery occurred in the eighteenth year of Josiah's reign (B.C. 624), a discovery which permanently affected the whole subsequent history of Israel.
Shaphan
(from Smith’s Bible Dictionary)
(coney
), the scribe or secretary of King Josiah. (
2 Kings 22:3,14;
2 Chronicles 34:8,20)
(B.C. 628.) He appears on an
equality with the governor of the city and the royal recorder.
(
2 Kings 22:4;
2 Chronicles 34:9)
SCRIBE Holman Bible Dictionary
Person trained in writing skills and used to record events and decisions (Jer. 36:26; 1 Chron. 24:6; Esth. 3:12). During the Exile in Babylon educated scribes apparently became the experts in God’s written word, copying, preserving, and teaching it. Ezra was a scribe in this sense of expert in teaching God’s word (Ezra 7:6). A professional group of such scribes developed by New Testament times, most being Pharisees (Mark 2:16). They interpreted the law, taught it to disciples, and were experts in cases where people were accused of breaking the law of Moses. They led in plans to kill Jesus (Luke 19:47) and heard His stern rebuke (Matt. 23).
JOSIAH (joh ssi’ uh) —Holman Bible Dictionary
Personal name meaning, “Yahweh heals.” Judah’s king from about 640-609 B.C. He succeeded his father Amon, an idolatrous king, who ruled for only two years before being murdered by his servants (2 Kings 21:19-23; 2 Chron. 33:21-24). Josiah became king at the age of eight due to wishes of “the people of the land” who put his father’s assassins to death (2 Kings 21:24). Josiah’s reign lasted for thirty-one years (2 Kings 22:1; 2 Chron. 34:1).
The Book of 2 Chronicles reveals much about the early years of Josiah. In his eighth year as king he began to seek the God of David (34:3). Josiah initiated a religious purge of Jerusalem, Judah, and surrounding areas during his twelfth year on the throne (34:3-7). This purge included tearing down the high places, the Asherah, and the altars to Baal. The high places were essentially Canaanite worship centers that had been taken over by Israel. The Asherah were cult objects associated with the worship of Baal, the fertility god of Canaan. See Asherah.
In his eighteenth year as king an unexpected event turned his energies in new directions. A “Book of the Law” was discovered while repairs were being made on the Temple. Hilkiah, the high priest, found the book and gave it to Shaphan, the scribe, who in turn read it to King Josiah. Upon hearing the message of the book, Josiah tore his clothes, a sign of repentance, and humbled himself before God. Josiah was assured that the promised destruction would not come in his time (2 Kings 22:8-20; 2 Chron. 34:15-28). The reading of this book prompted Josiah to instigate the most far-reaching religious reforms in Israel’s history.
What was this “Book of the Law” and when was it written? Most scholars believe that this book included at least the core of our present Book of Deuteronomy, either chapters 5-26 or 12-26. A major thrust of the Book of Deuteronomy was to call the nation Israel to exclusive loyalty to Yahweh. Perhaps a thrust such as this inspired the Josianic revival.
The Bible is silent about the remaining years of Josiah until his death. On the international scene during those years Assyria’s power was waning, and Babylon’s was on the rise. Assyria had aligned itself with Egypt against Babylon. Pharoah Neco’s troups were passing through territory north of Judah en route to join forces with Assyria. Josiah’s army blocked the movement of Egyptian troups at Megiddo. In the battle that followed Josiah was mortally wounded (2 Kings 23:29). His body was taken to Jerusalem where he was buried. There was great mourning for him throughout the land (2 Chron. 35:24-25). Though only thirty-nine when he died, Josiah was remembered as Judah’s greatest king (2 Kings 23:25): “And like unto him was there no king before him, that turned to the LORD with all his heart, and with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the law of Moses; neither after him arose there any like him.”
2nd Kings 22:8 And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.
The Scripture lost
The people of Judah had experienced times of great blessing and also times of terrible apostasy. They often worshipped idol gods, but they always maintained at least a tertiary worship of Jehovah God. The ceremony had remained, but the Word of God which was to direct their lives had become lost right in the sanctuary. I wonder if the same has happened in the USA today. We still have over 90% of our population who claim to believe in God, but most know nothing of what God has said or how He has directed us to live. They have cast off the influence of God through the Holy Spirit and instead live according to the wisdom of man which is contrary to God’s will. That is why abortion, homosexuality, and other forms of sinfulness are viewed as being OK today. If a revival is to come it must come from within the church. That cannot happen unless the church rediscovers the Word of God!
22:9 And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, Thy servants have gathered the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hand of them that do the work, that have the oversight of the house of the LORD.22:10 And Shaphan the scribe showed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king.
The Word revealed
Josiah was only 8 years old when he became King of Judah. He succeeded his father Amon who was murdered by his own people after ruling for only 2 years. His grandfather was named Manasseh; he is commonly known as the worst King Judah ever had. He knew about Jehovah, but he probably knew little of the Word of God. This book that was found was some form of the Pentateuch which is the first 5 books of the Old Testament. A King of a Godly nation should’ve been aware of their contents, but wickedness had hidden the revelation of God from His people. The High Priest and the Scribe took this Book of the Law and read it to the King. His reaction is revealed in verse 11 which is not included in our lesson. Josiah “rent his clothes” signifying his anguish at the realization of the sin of Judah. His repentance was effective in the eyes of God. The Bible should cause us to realize the same thing which Josiah did. It should point out our unworthiness and the wonderful grace of God which saves us from our sin.
23:1 And the king sent, and they gathered unto him all the elders of Judah and of Jerusalem.23:2 And the king went up into the house of the LORD, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both small and great: and he read in their ears all the words of the book of the covenant which was found in the house of the LORD.23:3 And the king stood by a pillar, and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD, and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all their heart and all their soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people stood to the covenant.
Making the people aware
Josiah did the right thing when he became aware of God’s law and its requirements along with its punishments. He delivered this knowledge to the people. It is the obligation of a leader to make his people aware of God. Many today are ignorant and therefore unconcerned of the great judgment day coming to this world. It is the job of Christian people and especially Christian people in roles of authority to make folks aware of the Word of God. Listen to these words commanding us to warn others: 1st Thessalonians 5:14 “Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.” Colossians 1:28 “Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:” 1st Corinthians 4:14 “I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons I warn you.” Luke 12:5 “But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.” It is clear that God wants us to warn the lost and those who have, or are about to, fall into apostasy.
23:21 And the king commanded all the people, saying, Keep the passover unto the LORD your God, as it is written in the book of this covenant.23:22 Surely there was not holden such a passover from the days of the judges that judged Israel, nor in all the days of the kings of Israel, nor of the kings of Judah; 23:23 But in the eighteenth year of king Josiah, wherein this passover was holden to the LORD in Jerusalem.
Passover —Holman Bible Dictionary The first of the three annual festivals was the Passover. It commemorated the final plague on Egypt when the firstborn of the Egyptians died and the Israelites were spared because of the blood smeared on their doorposts (Ex. 12:11,21,27,43,48). Passover took place on the fourteenth day (at evening) of the first month (Lev. 23:5). The animal (lamb or kid) to be slain was selected on the tenth day of the month (Ex. 12:3) and slaughtered on the fourteenth day and then eaten (Deut. 16:7). None of the animal was to be left over on the following morning (Ex. 34:25). The uncircumcised and the hired servant were not permitted to eat the sacrifice (Ex. 12:45-49).
The Passover was a part of the feast of unleavened bread (Ex. 23:15; Deut. 16:16) because only unleavened bread was eaten during the seven days immediately following Passover (Ex. 12:15-20; 13:6-8; Deut. 16:3-8). Unleavened bread reflected the fact that the people had no time to put leaven in their bread before their hasty departure from Egypt. It was also apparently connected to the barley harvest (Lev. 23:4-14). Later references in the Bible to the observance of the Passover are found in Joshua 5:10-12 (the plains of Jericho near Gilgal), 2 Chronicles 30:1,3,13,15 (during the reign of Hezekiah); and 2 Kings 23:21-23 (Josiah’s unique Passover).
During New Testament times large crowds gathered in Jerusalem to observe this annual celebration. Jesus was crucified during the Passover event. He and His disciples ate a Passover meal together on the eve of His death. During this meal Jesus said, “This is my body,” and “this cup is the new testament in my blood” (Luke 22:7, 19-20). The New Testament identifies Christ with the Passover sacrifice: “For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us” (1 Cor. 5:7).
Forgotten Celebrations
Notice what apostasy brought on; they had gotten away from celebrating the Lord’s festivals. When their hearts were right with God they immediately began to celebrate Passover. The Church cannot praise God properly unless they are living holy lives. when the Word of God is applied to our lives, then we can come to church and celebrate the salvation of the Lord. Passover was a type of Christ delivering us from sin by His sacrificial death on Calvary. To the Jew it was celebrating their delivery from the degradation of slavery in Egypt. None of that matters much when you are living in idolatry. We must come out from among them and then we can worship God properly.
Bible in Basic English Version (recommended as a commentary only)
2nd Kings 22:8-10 Then Hilkiah, the chief priest, said to Shaphan the scribe, I have made discovery of the book of the law in the house of the Lord. So Hilkiah gave it to Shaphan; 9 Then, after reading it, Shaphan the scribe went in to the king and gave him an account of what had been done, saying, Your servants have given out the money which was in the house, and have given it to the overseers of the work of the house of the Lord. 10 Then Shaphan the scribe said to the king, Hilkiah the priest has given me a book; and he was reading it before the king.
2nd Kings 23:1-3 Then the king sent and got together all the responsible men of Judah and of Jerusalem. 2 And the king went up to the house of the Lord, with all the men of Judah and all the people of Jerusalem, and the priests and the prophets and all the people, small and great; and they were present at his reading of the book of the law which had come to light in the house of the Lord. 3 And the king took his place by the pillar, and made an agreement before the Lord, to go in the way of the Lord, and keep his orders and his decisions and his rules with all his heart and all his soul, and to keep the words of the agreement recorded in the book; and all the people gave their word to keep the agreement 2nd Kings 23:21-23 And the king gave orders to all the people, saying, Keep the Passover to the Lord your God, as it says in this book of the law. 22 Truly, such a Passover had not been kept in all the days of the judges of Israel or of the kings of Israel or the kings of Judah; 23 In the eighteenth year of the rule of King Josiah this Passover was kept to the Lord in Jerusalem.
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