Who You Gonna Call?

Who You Gonna Call?

During the eighth year of his reign, while he was still young, Josiah began to seek the God of his ancestor David. Then in the twelfth year, he began to purify Judah and Jerusalem, destroying all the pagan shrines, the Asherah poles, and the carved idols and cast images. – 2 Chronicles 34:3

2 Kings 22:8-20

 8 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.

 10 Shaphan also told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a scroll.” So Shaphan read it to the king.

 11 When the king heard what was written in the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes in despair.

 12 Then he gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest . . ..

 13 “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.”

 14 So Hilkiah the priest . . . went to the New Quarter of Jerusalem to consult with the prophet Huldah

 15 She said to them, “The LORD, the God of Israel, has spoken! Go back and tell the man who sent you,”

 16 “‘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.

 17 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.’”

 18 “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:

 19 You were sorry and humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I said against this city and its people – 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.’”

“‘20 So I will not send the promised disaster until after you have died and been buried in peace. You will not see the disaster I am going to bring on this city.’” So they took her message back to the king.

Ghostbusters is a 1984 American comedy film written by Dan Aykroyd and Harold Ramis. It is filled with balanced amounts of humor, spookiness, and memorable action. The original movie earned $295 million, making it the highest-grossing comedy at that time. It became a cultural phenomenon. Its theme song, “Ghostbusters” by Ray Parker Jr., became a number-one hit. Those who saw the recall and recite the laughable haunting refrain, “Who You Gonna Call? ‘Ghostbusters.’”

Bill Murray leads a trio of passionate parapsychologists who get fired from Columbia University. They create a new business which is an investigation and elimination service of spooky events called the Ghostbusters. Otherworldly activity rapidly increases across New York City and the Ghostbusters become famous for their efforts. Soon the entire city of New York knew if they had significant problems with rowdy spirits they knew to contact them for help. Their marketing slogan was simple: Who You Gonna Call? ‘Ghostbusters.’”

After the time of Moses, the Father sent many prophets to the nation of Israel beginning with Samuel. The prophets living among the people were sought out for advice and direction and a word from the Lord. At the time of Josiah, two writing prophets were among the people, Jeremiah and Zephaniah. But when someone needed a word from the Lord who gonna call? “Huldah, the Prophetess.”

Most of the prophets of Israel were men. However, this was not exclusively the domain of men alone. There were female prophets mentioned in the Old Testament. Among them were Huldah, Miriam (Exodus 15:20), Deborah (Judges 4:4), Isaiah’s wife (Isaiah 8:3).

Huldah was well known as a respected woman of God. Her insights and messages came from the Father and she was prudent, sagacious, and trustworthy. She spoke with authority from God. She was the Father’s spokesperson of a moment. When the book of the law was discovered, King Josiah wondered how to respond. What action should be taken? King Josiah wanted to receive a word from the Lord, Huldah was his go-to person. Representatives were sent to her seeking to know what should be done.

She spoke for the Lord, her message was not her own. She made it clear that she was a channel through which the Father revealed His word. Huldah repeats the phrase “Thus says the Lord . . .” or “the Lord declares . . .” or the like, four times in her short prophetic message (2 Kings 22:15-19).

King Josiah received and followed her advice and counsel. His reforms were based on the word of God given by the Lord’s prophetess, Huldah. Consequently, the nation of Israel’s religious consciousness was reignited. The people were determined to do what was right, correct past wrongs, and live lives faithful to the Father.

What is a prophet of God? Prophets of God are the Father’s special servants. The Father calls them, “my servants the prophets” (Jeremiah 35:15). Prophets were the Father’s anointed, designated spokespeople and representatives. They were a go-between, a conduit between the Father and His people. Prophets received messages from the Father and passed them along to the people. Most prophetic messages are about the here and now. They provide the Father’s insight and perspective on matters of the heart and current events. A smaller portion of their prophetic messages was predictive and looked forward to the near and distant future.

REFLECT & PRAY

“There must be a return to the Word of God to find out what God wants us to do. Then . . . There must be a total commitment to God on the part of God’s people. There can be none of this halfhearted service . . . [and] none of this business of trying to go with the world and trying to go with God. It is impossible to do both. There must be a clear-cut dedication of heart and life to God. When that takes place, the Spirit of God is free to move” (McGee).

Father stir up our hearts to want to hear a word from You. When it comes, may we humble ourselves and commit to fully comply with what You desire for us.

INSIGHT

Josiah began to seek the Lord when he was 16 years old, as David had before him. He initiated religious reforms at the age of 20 (2 Chronicles 34:3-7). At the age of 26, he began repairing King Solomon’s Temple (2 Chronicles 34: 8).

Why was Josiah so shocked when he heard the law of God read? Many copies of the Scriptures had been sought out and destroyed by previous evil leaders. Only a few remained. They had been hidden away. Josiah had never heard God’s word before! How tragic!

2 Chronicles 34:19 When the king heard what was written in the Law, he tore his clothes in despair.

2 Chronicles 34:27 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.

Josiah was genuinely humbled and repented. He wept before the Lord. He was zealous to do whatever it took to make things right.

What had the people done wrong? Josiah had an inkling of what the problem was but wanted to be sure. The people had little knowledge of the word of God in their worship was spotty and very selective.

2 Chronicles 34:21 For the LORD’s great anger has been poured out on us because our ancestors have not obeyed the word of the LORD. We have not been doing everything this scroll says we must do.

2 Chronicles 34:25 My people have abandoned me and offered sacrifices to pagan gods, and I am very angry with them for everything they have done.

As children of the King, if and when we come to our senses and recognize what we have done, how do we make it right? We become resolute and pound a stake in the ground. We determined never to go back. Rather, we humble ourselves and repent. Then we begin to see Him as never before. We seek His face, we seek His presence, and we seek His help. We decided to be “all in” and seek Him with our whole hearts.

Jeremiah 29:13 If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me.

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