Reviving the Forgotten Word: A Devotional on 2 Chronicles 34:18
"Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king." - 2 Chronicles 34:18
The verse we delve into today from 2 Chronicles 34:18 states, "Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king." This moment marks a pivotal turn in the history of Judah and is a profound reminder of the power of God's Word and the renewal it brings to our lives and communities.
In the context of this scripture, we find ourselves during a time of spiritual decline under the reign of King Josiah. The Temple had fallen into neglect, and the scriptures were largely forgotten. This narrative begins with Hilkiah, the high priest, who, during repairs of the Temple, discovers an ancient scroll—believed to be a portion of the Law of Moses. This discovery is monumental; it represents a forgotten covenant, a lost connection to God’s commands and guidance.
When Shaphan reads this scroll in the presence of King Josiah, it leads to a profound awakening. This occurrence is not just an incidental discovery; it symbolizes a renewed understanding of God’s heart for His people. The book that Hilkiah found held the truths and instructions that God had given for living in accordance with His will. As Shaphan read the words of the Scriptures to King Josiah, it was as if a divine light had pierced the darkness that had settled over Judah.
Why is this significant for us today? Firstly, it illustrates the essentiality of Scripture in our lives. In our fast-paced, distraction-laden world, it is easy to neglect the Word of God. Like the kingdom of Judah had lost its way, we too can find ourselves drifting from God’s principles when we fail to engage with His commandments. Josiah’s response to the reading of the Law was one of deep conviction and repentance. He recognized the disparity between the way his kingdom was living and the standards God had set forth. This brings us to our personal challenges—are we open to the convicting power of Scripture? Do we allow the Word of God to challenge us and lead us towards a path of righteousness?
Secondly, this passage teaches us about the role of leadership in spiritual renewal. King Josiah, upon hearing the Word, responds with humility and urgency. He tears his clothes, a traditional sign of mourning and repentance. His leadership ignited a reform that led the entire nation back to God. As believers, we must consider how our actions, shaped by Scripture, can influence our families, communities, and beyond. Do we lead through example? Are we bold in sharing the transformative power of God’s Word with those around us?
Furthermore, Shaphan and Hilkiah's roles are also enlightening. They were diligent and faithful in their tasks. Hilkiah found the scroll, and Shaphan ensured the message reached the king. This reminds us of our responsibility to share God’s Word, to be instruments of His truth in a world that is often clouded by confusion. Each of us may have a part to play; whether by encouraging someone with a verse or by sharing what we learn during our quiet time, we are contributing to the revival of God’s Word.
Finally, we learn that the rediscovery of God’s Word is also a call to action. It isn’t enough to read or hear; it demands a response. For Josiah, it resulted in fervent reforms—cleansing the Temple, destroying idols, and restoring the worship of Yahweh. We too are called not just to read the Scripture but to apply it. What idols in our lives need to be dismantled? What practices need to be restored to align our lives with God's will?
As we meditate on 2 Chronicles 34:18, let us consider our own hearts. Are we willing to seek out the ‘books’ that may be hiding in the corners of our lives? Are we ready to listen, to be convicted, and to act? May this passage inspire each of us to pursue a genuine revival—a restoration of reverence for God's Word and a renewed commitment to live by it.
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2 Chronicles 34:18 - "Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king."
"Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king." - 2 Chronicles 34:18
2 Chronicles 18:34 - "And the battle increased that day: howbeit the king of Israel stayed himself up in his chariot against the Syrians until the even: and about the time of the sun going down he died."
2 Chronicles 34:19
2 Chronicles 34:19
2 Chronicles 34:29 - "¶ Then the king sent and gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem."
2 Chronicles 34:5 - "And he burnt the bones of the priests upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem."
2 Chronicles 18:9
2 Chronicles 18:9
2 Chronicles 20:18
2 Chronicles 34:19 - "And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes."
1 Chronicles 2:34 - "¶ Now Sheshan had no sons, but daughters. And Sheshan had a servant, an Egyptian, whose name was Jarha."
2 Chronicles 34:2 - "And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left."
2 Chronicles 34:17 - "And they have gathered together the money that was found in the house of the LORD, and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers, and to the hand of the workmen."
2 Chronicles 34:6 - "And so did he in the cities of Manasseh, and Ephraim, and Simeon, even unto Naphtali, with their mattocks round about."
2 Chronicles 34:1 - "Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years."
2 Chronicles 34:23 - "¶ And she answered them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell ye the man that sent you to me,"
2 Chronicles 34:10 - "And they put it in the hand of the workmen that had the oversight of the house of the LORD, and they gave it to the workmen that wrought in the house of the LORD, to repair and amend the house:"
2 Kings 10:34 - "Now the rest of the acts of Jehu, and all that he did, and all his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
2 Chronicles 34:14 - "¶ And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the LORD given by Moses."
2 Chronicles 34:20 - "And the king commanded Hilkiah, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Abdon the son of Micah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah a servant of the king's, saying,"
2 Chronicles 34:16 - "And Shaphan carried the book to the king, and brought the king word back again, saying, All that was committed to thy servants, they do it."
2 Chronicles 34:11 - "Even to the artificers and builders gave they it, to buy hewn stone, and timber for couplings, and to floor the houses which the kings of Judah had destroyed."
2 Kings 18:34 - "Where are the gods of Hamath, and of Arpad? where are the gods of Sepharvaim, Hena, and Ivah? have they delivered Samaria out of mine hand?"
2 Chronicles 34:15 - "And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan."
2 Chronicles 34:32 - "And he caused all that were present in Jerusalem and Benjamin to stand to it. And the inhabitants of Jerusalem did according to the covenant of God, the God of their fathers."
2 Chronicles 20:34 - "Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, who is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel."
2 Chronicles 34:13 - "Also they were over the bearers of burdens, and were overseers of all that wrought the work in any manner of service: and of the Levites there were scribes, and officers, and porters."
2 Kings 14:18 - "And the rest of the acts of Amaziah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?"
Psalm 34:18