Huldah

 

One of my favorite stories in the Old Testament is about Huldah. Though often overlooked, Huldah has been called “A woman who helped lead an apostate nation back to God.”

The story is recorded in II Chronicles 34. Josiah was crowned king when he was only eight years old. He reigned in Jerusalem for thirty-one years. Here is a very important verse about King Josiah that will set the stage for our lady Huldah:

(Vs. 2) “And he (King Josiah) did that which was right in the sight of the Lord...”

This was a very important decision for a young king. He did not follow the evil reigns of the kings before him who had led the children of Israel in idol worship. Someone in Josiah’s life must have influenced him to love the Lord.

(Vs. 3, 4) When he was only 16, he began to seek the Lord earnestly. When he was 20, Josiah began to break down the carved images and altars to Baal until (vs. 7) “He had cut down all the idols throughout all the land of Israel...”

(Vs. 9) When he was 26, Josiah sent helpers to repair the House of the Lord that was broken down. As the men were working, they discovered (Vs. 14) “a book of the law of the Lord given to Moses.”

Shaphan, the scribe, reported to King Josiah that all was done as the king had commanded...and...by the way... (Vs. 18) “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” When Shaphan began to read it to the king, King Josiah tore his robes. He immediately asked the men to (Vs. 21) “Inquire of the Lord concerning the words of the book...for great is the wrath of the Lord that is poured out upon us, because our fathers have not kept the Word of the Lord...”

ENTER HULDAH (Vs. 22) “And Hilkiah, and they that the king had appointed, went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the college).” Since her husband was keeper of the wardrobe, this college would be where the royal wardrobe or the priests’ clothing was stored. Apparently, Huldah was known for her trust in God and the wisdom to know His will.

Huldah’s message was honest and very difficult to hear. (Vs. 23-28) She warned that God’s judgment would fall on the people of Israel because they had completely rejected Him and burned incense to other gods.

BUT...(Vs. 26-27)  Huldah told the men that the Lord God of Israel had seen Josiah’s heart that it was tender and humble before the Lord. God would not bring judgment until Josiah himself was “gathered to his grave in peace.”

The men listened to Huldah and gave her message to the King.

What was the result of the woman’s bold statement even to the King? She didn’t know how he would react or what might happen to her.

(Vs. 31-33) The King called all the people, great and small, and they stood while King Josiah read the Word of God to them...many hearing it for the first time!

Chapter 35 tells us he reinstated the Passover, encouraged the priests to do God’s will, placed the Ark of the Covenant in the Temple, and supplied animals so that all would be able to sacrifice to the Lord. What a marvelous tribute to this woman who was so close to the Lord that she could give instruction even to the King about God’s plan. And we are reading about her today! She was a woman who was used to bring a nation back to the Lord. Stay close to the Lord! Seek His wisdom daily. You never know what opportunity He might have for you.

 --Maylou Holladay