HULDAH: Woman in Travail

2 Kings 22: 8-20/2 Chronicle 34: 22-28

 Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother’s name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah; she was from Bozkath. 2 He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left (2 Kings 22:1-2).

Josiah’s Reforms

Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the Lord.” He gave it to Shaphan, who read it. 9 Then Shaphan the secretary went to the king and reported to him: “Your officials have paid out the money that was in the temple of the Lord and have entrusted it to the workers and supervisors at the temple.” 10 Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king. 11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes. 12 He gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Akbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant: 13 “Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord’s anger that burns against us because those who have gone before us have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us.” 14 Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Akbor, Shaphan and Asaiah went to speak to the prophet Huldah, who was the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the New Quarter. 15 She said to them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Tell the man who sent you to me, 16 ‘This is what the Lord says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people, according to everything written in the book the king of Judah has read. 17 Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods and aroused my anger by all the idols their hands have made,[a] my anger will burn against this place and will not be quenched.’ 18 Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the Lord, ‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says concerning the words you heard: 19 Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people—that they would become a curse[b] and be laid waste—and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I also have heard you, declares the Lord. 20 Therefore 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.’”(2 Kings 22: 8-20). 

The story of the Revival includes 5 characters:

• The King Josiah
• Hilkan the High Priest
• Shaphan the Scribe
• Isaiah the servant of the King
• Huldah the Prophetess

The Hilkan (the High Priest) found the book of the law and his roles as a High Priest:

High Priest, the chief religious functionary in the Temple at Jerusalem, whose unique privilege was to enter the Holy of Holies (inner sanctum) once a year to burn incense and sprinkle sacrificial animal blood to expiate his own sins and those of the people of Israel. The High Priest had overall charge of Temple finances and administration. The early period of the second Temple he collected taxes and maintained order as the recognized political head of the nation.

He found the book of the law; he touched the letter but not the spirit and passed the book to the Scribe. No wonder Jesus stated in the book of (John 4:23-24)

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in the Spirit and in truth.

Shaphan (the Scribe): Scribe and Pharisees were the two largely distinct groups, through presumably some Scribes were Pharisees. They have knowledge of the law and could draft legal documents. They accepted only the written Law of Moses. Scribes could interpret and regulate only Jewish laws. Shaphan as the Scribe could read the book to the King, but not able to interpret this new book neither know what to do.

(2 Cor 3:4-6) Such confidence we have through Christ before God. 5 Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. 6 He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant—not of the letter but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.

• Hilkan (the High Priest) and Shaphan (the Scribe) presented the book to the King Josiah.
• Josiah (the King) ordered the High Priest, Shaphan and the Servant to go and required of the Lord regard the book: verse 13.
• The King’s request caused them to meet with Huldah (the Prophetess) and the Keeper of the wardrobe.
• Huldah (the Prophetess) a person regarded as an inspired teacher or proclaimer of the will of God/Ambassador of God that brings God’s word to his people by the Spirit of the Lord.
• Huldah boldly declared the word of God and shed insight into the book which was found when she travailed in prayer with the help of the Holy-Spirit which resulted into greater revival in Israel.
• The input of Huldah enlightened me the more of the role of the Holy-Spirit and the Word working together that brings revival that we are seeking for on this platform (Eph 6:10-17)

Prayers

• Word of God to come to me (Ezekiel 1:1-3)
• Boldness to speak the truth (John 8:32)
• Honest as a watchman (Ezekiel 3: 16-19)
• Relationship with the Holy Spirit.

• 2 Cor 13-14 (communion of the Holy-spirit) Lord help us to follow the guide of the Holy-spirit daily as He leads us.
• He is the Holy-spirit that helps us to God (1 Cor 14:2-4).
• Baptism of the Holy-Spirit give us an insight into the heart of God. God the Father gave (poured out) the Holy Spirt on the day of Pentecost once and for all. Therefore, it is not a matter of God giving us Holy-Spirit but rather you receiving what God has already given. Now pray to receive from the Gift that God has already given to the believer (2 Tim 1:6-7).