Key Verse Spotlight
2 Chronicles 34:14 - Meaning and Application
Understand how this verse speaks to what you're facing and how to apply it today
Translation: World English Bible — Catholic Edition
" When they brought out the money that was brought into the LORD’s house, Hilkiah the priest found the book of the LORD’s law given by Moses. "
2 Chronicles 34:14
Verse in Context
Understanding the surrounding verses prevents misinterpretation:
12 The men did the work faithfully. Their overseers were Jahath and Obadiah the Levites, of the sons of Merari; and Zechariah and Meshullam, of the sons of the Kohathites, to give direction; and others of the Levites, who were all skillful with musical instruments.
13 Also they were over the bearers of burdens, and directed all who did the work in every kind of service. Of the Levites, there were scribes, officials, and gatekeepers.
14 When they brought out the money that was brought into the LORD’s house, Hilkiah the priest found the book of the LORD’s law given by Moses.
15 Hilkiah answered Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the book of the law in the LORD’s house.” So Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan.
16 Shaphan carried the book to the king, and moreover brought back word to the king, saying, “All that was committed to your servants, they are doing.
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This whole passage was already given in 2 Kings 22:8-20, so there is little to add here. Still, we can draw several helpful lessons from it.
We should thank God that we have many Bibles and can place them in many hands. The book of the law and the gospel is not lost, nor is it scarce. In that sense, God’s word is not “precious” because it is rare. Bibles are treasures, but thanks be to God, they are not hard to find. The spring of living water is not shut up or sealed. Its streams flow freely for everyone’s use. How much we will answer for if the great truths of God’s law, made so common to us, are still treated as strange.
We should also learn, whenever we read or hear God’s word, to let it touch our hearts deeply. It should lead us to a holy fear of the wrath God reveals against all ungodliness and wickedness. Josiah, the king of Judah, had such a tender heart. When he heard the law read, he tore his clothes (2 Chronicles 34:19), and God was pleased with that response (2 Chronicles 34:27). If the Bible’s words were new to us, as they were to Josiah, they would likely affect us more than they often do. But they are no less serious because we know them well. So let the heart be torn, not just the clothes.
We are also directed, when we are convicted of sin and afraid of God’s judgment, to ask the Lord what to do. Josiah did this (2 Chronicles 34:21). We should ask the same question the people asked at Pentecost, “Men and brothers, what should we do?” (Acts 2:37), and the same question the jailer asked, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). If you will ask, then ask with seriousness (Isaiah 21:12). And thanks be to God, we have the living words of God to bring these questions to.
We are also warned here about the ruin sin brings on nations and kingdoms. Those who leave God bring trouble on themselves (2 Chronicles 34:24, 25), and they start a fire that will not be put out. So it will be with God’s wrath when his sentence has gone out against people who stubbornly keep walking in evil without repentance.
At the same time, we are encouraged to humble ourselves before God and seek him, as Josiah did. Even if we cannot turn away God’s wrath from our land, we will still save our own souls (2 Chronicles 34:27, 28). This also teaches godly people not to fear death, but to welcome it when it takes them away from the trouble that is coming. Notice how death changes when it is made a promise: “You will be gathered to your grave in peace.” It is like being housed safely in an ark, as Noah was, when a flood is about to come.
From This Chapter
2 Chronicles 34:1
"Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned thirty-one years in Jerusalem."
2 Chronicles 34:2
"He did that which was right in the LORD’s eyes, and walked in the ways of David his father, and didn’t turn away to the right hand or to the left."
2 Chronicles 34:3
"For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father; and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, the Asherah poles, the engraved images, and the molten images."
2 Chronicles 34:4
"They broke down the altars of the Baals in his presence; and he cut down the incense altars that were on high above them. He broke the Asherah poles, the engraved images, and the molten images in pieces, made dust of them, and scattered it on the graves of those who had sacrificed to them."
2 Chronicles 34:5
"He burned the bones of the priests on their altars, and purged Judah and Jerusalem."
2 Chronicles 34:6
"He did this in the cities of Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon, even to Naphtali, around in their ruins."
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