2 Kings 22:14-20: a reflection

14So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the second quarter); and they talked with her. 15She said to them, “The LORD the God of Israel says, ‘Tell the man who sent you to me, 16“The LORD says, ‘Behold, I will bring evil on this place and on its inhabitants, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read. 17Because they have forsaken me and have burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched.’” 18But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, tell him, “The LORD the God of Israel says, ‘Concerning the words which you have heard, 19because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you,’ says the LORD. 20‘Therefore behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the evil which I will bring on this place.’”’” So they brought this message back to the king.

When King Josiah hears the long-lost law read, and realizes how far his people have strayed, he is grieved to the heart; and God takes notice of his response. Through the prophetess Huldah, God says: Because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before the LORD, and tore your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you. God saw Josiah's tender, humbled heart, his grief over sin, his weeping before the LORD, and he responded with mercy.

Notice what God valued in Josiah: a tender heart, responsive to his word. When Josiah heard God's word and realized how his people had strayed, his heart was not hard or indifferent, but tender; he was moved, humbled, grieved, brought to tears and repentance. And God took note of this tender, responsive heart, and honored it with mercy. It was not any great deed that drew God's favor here, but a heart tender and responsive to his word.

That God values a tender, responsive heart is worth taking to heart, for our hearts can grow hard and unresponsive to his word. We can hear God's word and remain unmoved, indifferent, our hearts hard; or we can, like Josiah, have hearts tender and responsive, moved by God's word, humbled, grieved over sin, quick to respond. And God values the tender, responsive heart; he took note of Josiah's and honored it. Ask God to give you a tender heart, responsive to his word, rather than a hard and indifferent one. Do not let your heart grow hard, hearing God's word unmoved; cultivate a heart that is tender and responsive, moved by his word, humbled, quick to respond, as Josiah's heart was tender before the LORD. God values and responds to the tender, responsive heart; ask him for such a heart, and guard against the hardness that hears his word unmoved.

Lord, when King Josiah heard the long-lost law read and realized how far his people had strayed, he was grieved to the heart; and you took notice, saying through Huldah, because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself, and wept before me, I also have heard you. Show me what you valued in Josiah: a tender heart, responsive to your word. When he heard your word, his heart was not hard or indifferent, but tender, moved, humbled, grieved, brought to tears and repentance; and you took note of this tender, responsive heart, and honored it with mercy. That you value a tender, responsive heart is worth taking to heart, for my heart can grow hard and unresponsive to your word. I can hear your word and remain unmoved, indifferent, my heart hard; or I can, like Josiah, have a heart tender and responsive, moved by your word, humbled, grieved over sin, quick to respond. And you value the tender, responsive heart. Give me a tender heart, responsive to your word, rather than a hard and indifferent one. Keep my heart from growing hard, hearing your word unmoved; cultivate in me a heart that is tender and responsive, moved by your word, humbled, quick to respond, as Josiah's heart was tender before you. You value and respond to the tender heart, Lord; give me such a heart, and guard me against the hardness that hears your word unmoved.