Context No. 4071 of 4322 · 2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 34:19-28: in context

19When the king had heard the words of the law, he tore his clothes. 20The king commanded Hilkiah, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Abdon the son of Micah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying, 21“Go inquire of the LORD for me, and for those who are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the words of the book that is found; for great is the LORD’s wrath that is poured out on us, because our fathers have not kept the LORD’s word, to do according to all that is written in this book.” 22So Hilkiah and those whom the king had commanded went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tokhath, the son of Hasrah, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the second quarter), and they spoke to her to that effect. 23She said to them, “The LORD, the God of Israel says: ‘Tell the man who sent you to me, 24“The LORD says, ‘Behold, I will bring evil on this place and on its inhabitants, even all the curses that are written in the book which they have read before the king of Judah. 25Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands, therefore my wrath is poured out on this place, and it will not be quenched.’”’ 26But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, you shall tell him this, ‘The LORD, the God of Israel says: “About the words which you have heard, 27because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words against this place and against its inhabitants, and have humbled yourself before me, and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you,” says the LORD. 28“Behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes won’t see all the evil that I will bring on this place and on its inhabitants.”’” They brought back this message to the king.

When young King Josiah hears the words of the law read for the first time and realizes how far his people have strayed, he tears his clothes in grief and sends to inquire of the LORD. The prophetess Huldah confirms that judgment will indeed come on the nation for its long unfaithfulness. But she has a different word for the king himself.

Because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God, and tore your clothes and wept before me, I have heard you; you will be gathered to your grave in peace. God took special notice of Josiah's response. Two things about his heart drew God's favor. It was tender, capable of being moved and grieved when confronted with God's word and his people's sin, not hardened or indifferent. And it was humble; Josiah, though a king, humbled himself before God rather than defending or excusing. A hard, defensive heart shrugs off conviction; a tender, humble heart is moved to grief and repentance. And God responds to such a heart with mercy.

When God's word confronts me with hard truth about myself or my world, do I have the tender, humble heart of Josiah that is moved to grief and repentance, rather than a hard heart that shrugs off conviction?

Sources

2 Chronicles 34:27: "Because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before God... and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, says the LORD."
2 Chronicles 34:19: "When the king had heard the words of the law, he tore his clothes."
2 Kings 22:19: "Because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the LORD... I also have heard you, says the LORD."