Who's Repenting?

So Hilkiah and the other men 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 curses written in the scroll that was read to the king of Judah 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 be poured out on 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 God when you heard his words against this city and its people. You humbled yourself and 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 and been buried in peace. You yourself will not see the disaster I am going to bring on this city and its people.’” So they took her message back to the king. [2 Chronicles 34.22-28]

This passage and its parallel in 2 Kings 22.14-20 give a clear indication of the proper response to God's Word: repentance.

It is interesting that the punishment due the people of Judah was postponed by Josiah's repentance. But why was it only postponed? It would seem because the king was basically by himself in repentance. The people did not seem to share in the king's repentance. How sad is that?

The implications of this reach far and wide. It is entirely possible that a single person can be repentant and avoid disaster not only for himself, but for those around him. The people of Judah benefited from his repentance - but only for Josiah's lifetime.

How might this story have differed had all Judah genuinely joined Josiah in repentance?

How many of us today are directly benefiting from the repentant prayer of a family member, friend, or church leader? Think about all the stories people tell of a 'praying mother, grandmother, father, etc..." How much preservation do we enjoy today because of someone else praying?

How might our singular prayer of repentance for our family, church, city, state, or nation affect those groups as a whole? Josiah was one man that repented and all Judah benefited.

Father, may I be found truly repentant in my home, church, city, state, and nation...