Seeking the Lord Amidst Forgotten Truths
"Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us." - 2 Kings 22:13
As we reflect on 2 Kings 22:13, we encounter a poignant moment in Israel’s history, a time marked by spiritual neglect and the rediscovery of God’s Word. The verse states, "Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us" (KJV). This plea was made by King Josiah’s officials after the Book of the Law was found in the temple, a document that had been lost to the people of Judah for generations.
In studying this verse, one must first grasp the weight of the circumstances. The Book of the Law, likely Deuteronomy, had been buried under the rubble of a corrupted and neglected spiritual life. The people of Judah were living in disobedience, guided by traditions and practices that deviated from God’s command. When the book was rediscovered, it brought to light the serious consequences of their forsaking God’s statutes. Josiah’s immediate response to the discovery reveals a heart that seeks to understand and return to righteousness. His call to enquire of the Lord underscores the necessity of seeking divine insight and wisdom when confronted with uncomfortable truths.
Josiah's action speaks volumes about leadership and responsibility. The king, upon realizing the depth of disobedience, not only acted for himself but for the entire nation. He recognized that the wrath of the Lord was kindled against them, showcasing a humility that many leaders might overlook today. This is a critical lesson for us. How often do we weigh the impact of our personal and communal sins? King Josiah took ownership not just for his actions, but for those of the previous generations. Similarly, we are called to be intercessors for our communities, acknowledging the failures of our predecessors and seeking God’s mercy and guidance.
The call to "enquire of the LORD" is both a directive and a prayerful plea. It indicates a desperate need for revelation from God, especially when confronting the stark reality of sin. This should resonate with us; in a world where we can become blind to spiritual complacency, searching for answers in Scripture becomes paramount. How easily do we neglect God’s Word today? We, too, can find ourselves in a spiritual drought, parading around knowledge but lacking in intimacy with the Lord.
Moreover, consider the phrase "great is the wrath of the LORD". While it evokes a sense of fear, it should also stir our hearts toward repentance. The wrath of God isn’t arbitrary; it’s a direct response to waywardness and rebellion against His commands. Just as Josiah initiated a national strategy to seek the Lord, we must also make it our priority to foster a culture of accountability and righteousness in our lives and communities.
Our response to this passage must be one of reflection and action; we must evaluate where we have neglected God’s Word in our lives. Are there areas where we are spiritually barren, living by what feels right instead of what is biblically sound? What steps can we take this week to rectify that?
Let us not forget that the rediscovery of God’s Word was not just an end but a beginning. It marked the restoration of true worship among the people of Judah. Similarly, as we earnestly seek the Lord, declaring our reliance on His Word and repentance, we can expect a revival in our own hearts. This journey of returning to God is continuous; we must stay vigilant in our quest to know Him intimately.
In prayer, we can ask God to reveal to us the areas where we lack understanding and obedience. Let us commit to not only read His Word but to also heed it, trusting that through our pursuit of Him, we will be transformed and brought back to a place of alignment with His divine will.
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2 Kings 22:13 - "Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us."
"Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us." - 2 Kings 22:13
2 Kings 13:22 - "¶ But Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz."
"¶ But Hazael king of Syria oppressed Israel all the days of Jehoahaz." - 2 Kings 13:22
2 Kings 13:13 - "And Joash slept with his fathers; and Jeroboam sat upon his throne: and Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel."
2 Kings 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;"
2 Chronicles 9:22 - "And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom."
2 Kings 2:22 - "So the waters were healed unto this day, according to the saying of Elisha which he spake."
2 Kings 14:22 - "He built Elath, and restored it to Judah, after that the king slept with his fathers."
1 Kings 22:2 - "And it came to pass in the third year, that Jehoshaphat the king of Judah came down to the king of Israel."
2 Kings 21:22 - "And he forsook the LORD God of his fathers, and walked not in the way of the LORD."
2 Kings 13:8 - "¶ Now the rest of the acts of Jehoahaz, and all that he did, and his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
2 Samuel 22:13 - "Through the brightness before him were coals of fire kindled."
2 Kings 22:7 - "Howbeit there was no reckoning made with them of the money that was delivered into their hand, because they dealt faithfully."
2 Kings 22:6 - "Unto carpenters, and builders, and masons, and to buy timber and hewn stone to repair the house."
2 Kings 15:22 - "And Menahem slept with his fathers; and Pekahiah his son reigned in his stead."
2 Kings 19:13 - "Where is the king of Hamath, and the king of Arpad, and the king of the city of Sepharvaim, of Hena, and Ivah?"
2 Kings 22:11 - "And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes."
2 Kings 22:2 - "And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in all the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left."
2 Kings 2:13 - "He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan;"
2 Kings 22:12 - "And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king's, saying,"
2 Kings 13:12 - "And the rest of the acts of Joash, and all that he did, and his might wherewith he fought against Amaziah king of Judah, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel?"
2 Kings 17:22 - "For the children of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they departed not from them;"
2 Chronicles 13:22 - "And the rest of the acts of Abijah, and his ways, and his sayings, are written in the story of the prophet Iddo."
2 Kings 22:10 - "And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king."
2 Kings 8:22 - "Yet Edom revolted from under the hand of Judah unto this day. Then Libnah revolted at the same time."
2 Kings 13:20 - "¶ And Elisha died, and they buried him. And the bands of the Moabites invaded the land at the coming in of the year."
"And Joash slept with his fathers; and Jeroboam sat upon his throne: and Joash was buried in Samaria with the kings of Israel." - 2 Kings 13:13
2 Kings 13:24 - "So Hazael king of Syria died; and Ben-hadad his son reigned in his stead."
2 Kings 22:15 - "¶ And she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me,"