The Blessedness of Torn Clothes

“Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father; he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left. In the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet a boy, he began to seek the God of David…

“Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the Lord… When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his clothes…

“Huldah the prophetess said, ‘Thus says the Lord,.. Because they have forsaken me and made offerings to other gods,.. my wrath will be poured out on this place… Because your heart was tender and you humbled yourself before God when you heard his words… and have torn your clothes and wept, I have heard you… I will gather you to your fathers… in peace, and your eyes shall not see all the disaster that I will bring…’

“Then the king gathered together all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. [He] went up to the house of the Lord, with all the men of Judah and Jerusalem and the priests and Levites, all the people both great and small. He read in their hearing all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the house of the Lord. The king stood and made a covenant… to walk after the Lord and keep his commandments and testimonies and statutes, with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of the covenant… And Josiah took away all the abominations from all the territory that belonged to the people of Israel and made all who were present in Israel serve the Lord their God. All his days they did not turn away from following the Lord, the God of their fathers.

“Josiah kept a Passover to the Lord in Jerusalem… He appointed the priests to their offices and encouraged them in the service of the house of the Lord.” 2 Chronicles 34:1-3a,14,19-21,25,27-31,33; 35:1-2

After over half a century of abominable leadership, where idolatry and rebellion were the rule save for a few of Manasseh’s final years, young Josiah was enthroned in Judah. By God’s grace, by no immediate example or spiritual vitality in the land, he sought the Lord, and by conscience did what was right in His eyes. When the Book of the Law was found and read, he tore his clothes as its truth rent his heart, and was compelled to drastic reforms that reestablished worship that honored God. (2 Chronicles 33:1-6,9-13,20-22; 35:2-18)

It is a common grace from our Creator to be led by noble passion and a sharp conscience. Aligning these with God’s powerful word pierces with conviction and drives home real change. How committed are we to prioritizing the Bible as our supreme standard for life, allowing it to regularly penetrate a humble, seeking heart to deep conviction?

What ‘books’ compete to direct everyday instruction in managing relationships, handling family and work issues? Do we rely on self-direction, or so expose ourselves to God’s word that we’ve torn our clothes of self-righteousness and pride? What changes can it begin to effect today?

Lord, may I grieve what grieves You, cherish what You cherish, and build Your kingdom to Your glory.