Useful Bible Studies > 2 Kings Commentary > chapter 22
Already by this time, God had started to give messages to Judah’s people by the young prophet (holy man), Jeremiah (see Jeremiah 1:2). Jeremiah’s messages were often severe messages about God’s judgment against the evil deeds of the nation.
The people did not like Jeremiah’s messages and some of them even tried to stop him. They were probably afraid about the effect that such messages might have upon their young, sincere king, Josiah. Josiah had already started to destroy the images of false gods that were everywhere in Judah (2 Chronicles 34:3-4).
Hilkiah found the Book of God’s Law 5 years after Jeremiah had begun to declare those messages from God. We cannot say whether Jeremiah’s messages had made an impression upon Josiah. Josiah clearly did not understand yet that God’s judgment was against his nation. Rather, he realised it very suddenly as Shaphan read to him the Bible’s words in the Book of the Law.
The Book of the Law contained the first five books in the Bible, which Moses wrote (2 Chronicles 34:14). The part that impressed Josiah particularly was the Book of Deuteronomy, and especially chapter 28. Several passages in Deuteronomy warn God’s people very severely that they must not serve false gods (Deuteronomy 4:15-31, chapters 7 and 8, chapter 13 and 18:9-13). Deuteronomy chapter 28 declares God’s judgment against the people who do these things.
Josiah knew that his nation was guilty of all of these crimes. He now knew, therefore, that God’s judgment was against them. He tore his clothes to express how deeply sad he was in this situation.
Next part: Josiah decides to inquire of God (2 Kings 22:12-13)
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