2 Chronicles 33:14-34:33
Romans 16:10-27
Psalm 26:1-12
Proverbs 20:19
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. When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes.
- 3 Chronicles 3:18-19
I tried to do some research into the significance of tearing one's clothing during Biblical times, and what I found suggested it was an impulsive sign of extreme anger and despair. One vented the grief and anguish for which there was no remedy on one's robes. I first thought it was something like punching the wall in anger...then I realized that what clothes cost at the time, in time, effort and money, made this more like burning down one's house today.
It is particularly sad to read about despair today, the day after another three murderers have taken the lives of (at current count) 32 people in three separate incidents, in California, Ohio and Texas. There will be many mothers and fathers, spouses and children, siblings and friends, who will be in enough anguish to tear their robes. There will be countless others tearing their robes in anguish at the lack of gun control that might have prevented this, or the prevalence of gun control that might have prevented armed civilians from taking action.
What should our response be? The example of Josiah, the king, is instructive. He does five things:
1. He acknowledges God. He could have ignored the news about the book, but instead instructed that they "go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found."
2. He confesses the people's sin. "Great is the Lord's anger that is poured out on us because those who have gone before us have not kept the word of the Lord; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book."
3. He reverts back to God's Word. "He went up to the temple of the Lord with...all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book fo the Covenant."
4. He repents of his sin. "The king...renewed the convenant...to follow the Lord and keep His commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, and to obey the words of the covenant written in this book."
5. His actions demonstrated his metanoia - the change in his life's orientation. "Josiah removed all the detestable idols...as long as he lived, [the Israelites] did not fail to follow the Lord, the God of their ancestors."
Father, When bad things happen, it is instinctive for people to find someone to blame. I do that all the time. It doesn't really do me any good, doesn't help my situation, doesn't prevent the situation from recurring. Teach me instead to respond like Josiah - to acknowledge You, confess and repent of my sin, seek Your word, and act accordingly.
Romans 16:10-27
Psalm 26:1-12
Proverbs 20:19
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. When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes.
- 3 Chronicles 3:18-19
I tried to do some research into the significance of tearing one's clothing during Biblical times, and what I found suggested it was an impulsive sign of extreme anger and despair. One vented the grief and anguish for which there was no remedy on one's robes. I first thought it was something like punching the wall in anger...then I realized that what clothes cost at the time, in time, effort and money, made this more like burning down one's house today.
It is particularly sad to read about despair today, the day after another three murderers have taken the lives of (at current count) 32 people in three separate incidents, in California, Ohio and Texas. There will be many mothers and fathers, spouses and children, siblings and friends, who will be in enough anguish to tear their robes. There will be countless others tearing their robes in anguish at the lack of gun control that might have prevented this, or the prevalence of gun control that might have prevented armed civilians from taking action.
What should our response be? The example of Josiah, the king, is instructive. He does five things:
1. He acknowledges God. He could have ignored the news about the book, but instead instructed that they "go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found."
2. He confesses the people's sin. "Great is the Lord's anger that is poured out on us because those who have gone before us have not kept the word of the Lord; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book."
3. He reverts back to God's Word. "He went up to the temple of the Lord with...all the people from the least to the greatest. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book fo the Covenant."
4. He repents of his sin. "The king...renewed the convenant...to follow the Lord and keep His commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, and to obey the words of the covenant written in this book."
5. His actions demonstrated his metanoia - the change in his life's orientation. "Josiah removed all the detestable idols...as long as he lived, [the Israelites] did not fail to follow the Lord, the God of their ancestors."
Father, When bad things happen, it is instinctive for people to find someone to blame. I do that all the time. It doesn't really do me any good, doesn't help my situation, doesn't prevent the situation from recurring. Teach me instead to respond like Josiah - to acknowledge You, confess and repent of my sin, seek Your word, and act accordingly.
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