When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothesWhen the king had heard the words of the law, he tore his clothes.And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes.And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the law, that he rent his clothes.
3 sermons cite this verse
The guy comes in, starts to read this book, and Josiah immediately realizes what's going on. This is a book that for at least 57 years, maybe more, has completely been ignored. And it's the law of God and they haven't listened to it at all. And he starts to hear words like, remember the commands the Lord has given you and follow them and obey them with all your heart. And if you don't, this will happen and this will happen. And it clicks with Josiah and he sees the power of God's word and he sees the people who have missed out on God's word. and he tears his robes, which is basically a sign of grief and sorrow and being overwhelmed with conviction, confession of saying, God, I have sinned. We have sinned. We have completely forgotten your word. And Josiah knew that the reforms among the people of God, all that was going on was merely external things if they were disconnected from obedience to God's word and the power of God's word. …
"And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORRD. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan... Then Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest has given me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the Law, that he tore his clothes." 2 Chronicles 34:15,18,19. ~ON BEHALF OF THE BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY- HILKIAH had found THE BOOK and it was a more important find than if he had discovered a mine of diamonds, or perpetual motion, or a new world! Oh, that Book, that wonderful Book! Was there ever anything like it under Heaven? Well may it be a power when we come to think of what it is—the Book of the Law of the living God! How reverently did he lift it from its hiding place, remove its dust and commence to read its title and contents! This particular Book of the Law was probably the first five Books of Moses, commonly called the Pentateuch. Some have thought that it was only the Book of Deuteronomy, but it is too late in the day for us to decide with confidence its exact form. We know that it was "a Book of the Law of the Lord given by Moses" (2 Chron 34:14), probably an autographed copy by Moses. Of that we cannot be sure, but whatever hand may have written the letters, what a Book the Law of the Lord is! The Old Testament is a Divine light which has led multitudes of saints to the Lord's right hand—and its luster is not dimmed by the New Testament, but increased thereby. Not one tittle of it has failed, or shall fail—it lives and abides forever! Taking an enlarged view of the Law of the Lord today and holding in our hands two Testaments, both the Old and the New, what a marvelous Book the Bible is! Earth does not contain an equal wonder! …
At twenty, then, he commenced his reformation. At first, not having the Book of the Law to guide him, he took such measures as natural conscience suggested; he put away idolatry generally. Thus he set out, not knowing whither he went. But it is the rule of God's providence, that those who act up to their light, shall be rewarded with clearer light. To him that hath, more shall be given. Accordingly, while he was thus engaged, after a few years, he found the Book of the Law in the course of his reformations. He was seeking God in the way of His commandments, and God met him there. He set about repairing the Temple; and it was in the course of this pious work that the high priest found a copy of the Law of Moses in the Temple, probably the original copy which was placed in the ark. Josiah's conduct on this discovery marks his character. Many men, certainly many young men, who had been so zealous as he had already shown himself for six years, would have prided themselves on what they had done, and though they began humbly, by this time would have become self-willed, self-confident, and hard-hearted. He had already been engaged in repressing and punishing God's enemies--this had a tendency to infect him with spiritual pride: and he had a work of destruction to do--this, too, might have made him cruel. Far from it: his peculiar praise is singleness of mind, a pure conscience. Even after years of activity against idolatry, in the words of the text, "his heart was tender," and he still "humbled himself before God." He felt full well the immeasurable distance between himself and his Maker; he felt his own blindness and weakness; and he still earnestly sought to know his duty better than he did, and to practise it more entirely. His was not that stern enthusiasm which has displayed itself in some so-called reformations, fancying itself God's peculiar choice, and "despising others." Here we have the pattern of reformers; singleness of heart, gentleness of temper, in the midst of zeal, resoluteness, and decision in action. All God's Saints have this union of opposite graces; Joseph, Moses, Samuel, David, Nehemiah, St. Paul: but in which of them all is the wonder-working power of grace shown more attractively than in Josiah? "Out of the strong came forth sweetness;" or perhaps, as we may say more truly, Out of the sweet came forth strength. …