Immerse: Kingdoms Full Volume - Flipbook - Page 276
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IMMERSE
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KINGDOMS
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| 22:4-20
of the Lord. He told him, “Go to Hilkiah the high priest and have him
count the money the gatekeepers have collected from the people at the
Lord’s Temple. Entrust this money to the men assigned to supervise the
restoration of the Lord’s Temple. Then they can use it to pay workers
to repair the Temple. They will need to hire carpenters, builders, and
masons. Also have them buy the timber and the finished stone needed
to repair the Temple. But don’t require the construction supervisors to
keep account of the money they receive, for they are honest and trustworthy men.”
Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the court secretary, “I have
found the Book of the Law in the Lord’s Temple!” Then Hilkiah gave the
scroll to Shaphan, and he read it.
Shaphan went to the king and reported, “Your officials have turned over
the money collected at the Temple of the Lord to the workers and supervisors at the Temple.” Shaphan also told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has
given me a scroll.” So Shaphan read it to the king.
When the king heard what was written in the Book of the Law, he tore
his clothes in despair. Then he gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahi
kam son of Shaphan, Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the court secretary,
and Asaiah the king’s personal adviser: “Go to the Temple and speak to
the Lord for me and for the people and for all Judah. Inquire about the
words written in this scroll that has been found. For the Lord’s great anger
is burning against us because our ancestors have not obeyed the words in
this scroll. We have not been doing everything it says we must do.”
So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Acbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to the
New Quarter of Jerusalem to consult with the prophet Huldah. She was
the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, son of Harhas, the keeper of the Temple
wardrobe.
She said to them, “The Lord, the God of Israel, has spoken! Go back
and tell the man who sent you, ‘This is what the Lord says: I am going
to bring disaster on this city and its people. All the words written in the
scroll that the king of Judah has read will come true. For my people have
abandoned me and offered sacrifices to pagan gods, and I am very angry
with them for everything they have done. My anger will burn against this
place, and it will not be quenched.’
“But go to the king of Judah who sent you to seek the Lord and tell him:
‘This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says concerning the message you
have just heard: You were sorry and humbled yourself before the Lord
when you heard what I said against this city and its p eople—that this land
would be cursed and become desolate. You tore your clothing in despair
and wept before me in repentance. And I have indeed heard you, says the
Lord. So I will not send the promised disaster until after you have died