1Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jedidah the daughter of Adaiah of Bozkath. 2He did that which was right in Yahweh’s eyes, and walked in all the way of David his father, and didn’t turn away to the right hand or to the left.
3In the eighteenth year of King Josiah, the king sent Shaphan, the son of Azaliah the son of Meshullam, the scribe, to Yahweh’s house, saying, 4“Go up to Hilkiah the high priest, that he may count the money which is brought into Yahweh’s house, which the keepers of the threshold have gathered of the people. 5Let them deliver it into the hand of the workers who have the oversight of Yahweh’s house; and let them give it to the workers who are in Yahweh’s house, to repair the damage to the house, 6to the carpenters, and to the builders, and to the masons, and for buying timber and cut stone to repair the house. 7However, no accounting shall be asked of them for the money delivered into their hand, for they deal faithfully.”
8Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the book of the law in Yahweh’s house.” Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan, and he read it. 9Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, and said, “Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house, and have delivered it into the hands of the workmen who have the oversight of Yahweh’s house.” 10Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, “Hilkiah the priest has delivered a book to me.” Then Shaphan read it before the king.
11When the king had heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes. 12The king commanded Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam the son of Shaphan, Achbor the son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying, 13“Go inquire of Yahweh for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found; for great is Yahweh’s wrath that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book, to do according to all that which is written concerning us.”
14So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe (now she lived in Jerusalem in the second quarter); and they talked with her. 15She said to them, “Yahweh the God of Israel says, ‘Tell the man who sent you to me, 16“Yahweh says, ‘Behold, I will bring evil on this place and on its inhabitants, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah has read. 17Because they have forsaken me and have burned incense to other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the work of their hands, therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and it will not be quenched.’” 18But to the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of Yahweh, tell him, “Yahweh the God of Israel says, ‘Concerning the words which you have heard, 19because your heart was tender, and you humbled yourself before Yahweh when you heard what I spoke against this place and against its inhabitants, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and have torn your clothes and wept before me, I also have heard you,’ says Yahweh. 20‘Therefore behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace. Your eyes will not see all the evil which I will bring on this place.’”’” So they brought this message back to the king.
I am sure there were times when Zephaniah struggled to see the point in continuing, was his ministry having any affect at all? Would anyone turn to God?
Josiah was king during the time of Zephaniah’s ministry, as Zephaniah was also of noble birth, it’s not hard to imagine that the king too heard the word of God. There really wasn’t much hope for Josiah as his father King Amon and grandfather King Manasseh were two of the most wicked kings the southern kingdom had ever seen. Neither of their reigns lasted long as they made so many enemies, which meant that at the tender age of 8 Josiah became king. I have no doubt in my mind that Josiah heard the message of God from Zephaniah. King Josiah called for the restoration and cleaning of the temple that had fallen into disrepair. When the cleaning was underway they found the law of Moses, that had been lost and forgotten for many years. When he read the law, the king realised that he and the people had fallen far from God’s will and he repented and brought the people together to do the same. He removed idols and false prophets and reigned by godly example. (2 Kings 23) Then in the middle of all the sin and chaos there were some years of hope as King Josiah turned his heart to God and created change in the nation.
Through his obedience Zephaniah had a godly influence on a young boy who became king. This young King remembered the importance of serving and honouring God and in doing so brought years of hope to those who were lost.
Sunday school teachers, parents, grandparents, youth leaders take heart your godly influence could change a life and so much more.