2 Kings 22:14-20 ESV

14 So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter), and they talked with her. 15 And she said to them, “Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: ‘Tell the man who sent you to me, 16 Thus says the LORD, Behold, I will bring disaster upon this place and upon its inhabitants, all the words of the book that the king of Judah has read. 17 Because they have forsaken me and have made offerings to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore my wrath will be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched. 18 But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, thus shall you say to him, Thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: Regarding the words that you have heard, 19 because your heart was penitent, and you humbled yourself before the LORD, when you heard how I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and you have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you, declares the LORD. 20 Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you shall be gathered to your grave in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring upon this place.’” And they brought back word to the king.

HUMILITY LEADS TO HONOR

Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah. She was the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the Second Quarter). And they consulted with her about the dealings of God concerning the king and the people.

Amazingly, she said about King Josiah, “Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what he spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord. Now I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place and on those who live here” (2 Chron 34:27–28). God’s pronouncement of judgment to the wicked kings before Josiah was consitent. King Josiah was the exception. He was a godly king who humbled himself before God.

Solomon had said, “Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor.” [Prov 18:12]. He added, “The reward for humility and fear of the Lord is riches and honor and life.”[Prov 22:4] This principle holds true in Jesus teaching. He said, “Whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted.”[Matt 23:12] For this, Peter wrote, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you”[1 Pet 5:5,6]

The whole kingdom was spared because of the God-fearing king Josiah. Indeed, “The fear of the Lord is instruction in wisdom, and humility comes before honor.”[Prov 15:33] Leadership rises and falls because of their attitude of humility and pride, respectively. Thus, we must not allow pride to creep in and ruin us. May by His Spirit, we will remain humble so that we will receive His exaltation in return.

Listen and FOLLOW on podcast
Spotify: http://bit.ly/glccfil_spotify
Apple Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-applepcast
Google Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-googlepcast
Audible Podcast: http://bit.ly/glccfil-audible
Follow us in various media platforms: https://gospellightfilipino.contactin.bio


#gospellightfilipino
#godswordfortoday
#bookof2Kings