Dire Prophecy and Recommitment to God

Text: 2 Kings 22:14-23:3

Reflection and Question: All the king’s men go to a woman, the prophetess Huldah, who tells them that disaster will come to Judah in accordance with God’s Will, although it will not happen while Josiah is king. When Josiah hears this, he calls all the people together and has the law in Deuteronomy read aloud. He and the people recommit themselves to the covenant with God. Like David after His sin with Bathsheba, Josiah reasoned that God might repent and yet spare Judah from defeat. When have you repented with the hope of being spared punishment?

Prayer: Most Holy God, accept our prayers with those of Josiah and the people who joined in the covenant with You long, long ago. Gather us to our graves in peace and do so for all the generations to follow us, as well. Amen.

This meditation is based on the Daily Lectionary Year 1 from the Book of Common Worship for the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) (1993).