34:1-2 At the young age of eight years old, king Josiah was chosen as king of Judah and did not know much about the kingdom's God. Josiah was, however, a naturally righteous soul and subsequently conscientious king. Under Josiah, Judah had thirty-one years of straightforwardly just leadership.
34:3-7 Josiah was a young king who steadily grew in his relationship with God. As he grew up, he discovered more and more about Who God was and what His philosophy was; it was a natural progression of spirituality which led to the cleansing of the kingdom of Judah. Josiah made it the project of his kingship to return the kingdom back to God and out from the clutches of corruption.
34:8-13 Josiah turned his attention onto the house of the Lord which needed massive reparations. The house of the Lord came to represent the condition of the faith of Judah; when it was whole and organized, Judah had been faithful to God. But when it fell into disrepair and was scavenged to hollowness, Judah had neglected their faith and abandoned God.
With money dedicated the the house of the Lord, Josiah appointed men to hire workmen, craftsmen, foremen, builders, gatekeepers, scribes, officers and restorers to bring the house of the Lord back into its former glory.
34:14-15 Hilkiah the priest found a precious thing in the formerly abandoned house of the Lord: the book of the Law. Judah had veered so far away from God that His commandments were lost to the kingdom.
24:16-18 Shaphan brought the book to Josiah as well as a report that the house of the Lord had undergone the process of restoration. Shaphan proceeded to read the book to Josiah; perhaps that seems simple but how many people truly commit themselves to the word of God? Josiah chose to become a student of it. Since his youth, Josiah held the highest position society offered, the most authority there was to be had, and yet he chose to humble himself to the Lord.
34:19 Josiah had an unexpected reaction to the words of the Law: he was tormented, horrified by how comprehensively and directly Judah had disobeyed God's commandments.
34:20-21 In his moment of painful realization, Josiah asked Hilkiah, Ahikam, Abdon, Shaphan and Asaiah to open communication with God. Josiah understood then more than ever before how close Judah was to the brink of no return. He knew that unless the kingdom made a collective effort of repentance, they would soon find themselves cut off from God. The prospect of a God-less kingdom pressed Josiah into prayerful action.
34:22 Hilkiah consulted Huldah, a prophetess, and she received a word from the Lord.
34:23-25 Huldah relayed a message from God to Judah: He was indeed angry with the kingdom's corrupt behavior. Judah had practiced idolatry and the immoral practices of evil nations. The kingdom had forsaken the philosophy of God and thus abandoned righteousness, compassion and humility. The kingdom had so much mud and dirt on it that it was nearly unrecognizable as a place of the people of God. Judah was in dire need of God's discipline and He promised to deliver it, but He chose to spare Josiah.
34:26-28 God had a specific message for Josiah; He was so pleased with Josiah's goodness and humility that He postponed Judah's discipline until after he had lived a good and peaceful life. Josiah had made sincere and arduous efforts to aligned himself and the kingdom with the word of God; his actions were acknowledged, appreciated and rewarded.
Josiah had wept and prayed to God and He heard it all. It mattered to Him. God shows loving-kindness to those who know Him, Psalm 36:10 and Josiah had made a vehement effort to know Him. Therefore, Josiah was seen by the sharp eyes of God and saved by His generous mercy.
34:29-30 Josiah taught the kingdom how to properly worship once again. He read God's words to those in attendance; he reminded Judah of its everlasting covenant with God. He reminded Judah that never before had there been a more beneficial contract than the one God had drafted and proffered to them.
34:31 Josiah renewed the covenant, recommitted the himself to the conditions of it with full heart and soul.
34:32-33 The congregation stood at Josiah's command, alert and accountable before God. Josiah inspired the diligent service of the tribes to God. His faithful leadership kept them in alignment and adhered to God and His philosophy.
