Can you remember back to your childhood and into your teenage years? Do you remember thinking your parents were crazy and really did not know what they were talking about?
We all go through those stages of thinking we know more than our parents, but then we grow up and usually realize our parents knew more than we gave them credit for.
I remember wondering why we could not turn on the car light in the backseat of the car when driving through town at night; how could a little light bother my dad while he was driving? I found myself telling my girls just the other day to turn off the light because I could not see well enough. They looked at me like I was crazy and did not understand my attempt at an explanation, but just wait until they have kids. My parents would tell me things like, nothing good happens after midnight. I thought they were crazy, but now I realize there is quite a bit of truth in that statement.
There are many times we take the advice of others for granted and come up with some excuse not to listen to them. We make excuses like: they are too old, too young, grew up in a different place then me, they do not look like me, they are not the same gender as me or they just would not understand. There are times we need to listen to the advice of others. Who knows, God may be speaking through them to us.
King Josiah became king at 8 years old and stepped into a hornet’s nest. His grandfather, King Manasseh, had lead the Israelite people into idolatry. The people turned away from God in ways never seen before. Even though Manasseh began to turn to the Lord late in his reign, the damage already was done. The ramifications of the people’s idolatry pushed God to make the decision to deliver them over to their enemies in the days to come. Josiah’s father was no better and led the people further away from God.
The pressure of ruling a kingdom always is great, but at 8 years old, the burden of being a king must have been unbelievable for Josiah. This child king showed more leadership and wisdom than both his father and grandfather. He began to bring the people back to God by destroying the idols and temples that had been built. He even realized the importance of the temple and the need for restoration.
While restoring the temple, the book of the law was found and when Josiah heard what the words said, he was devastated. He knew the Israelite people had been horribly disobedient, and he tore his clothes in mourning. Then he made an important decision.
Josiah sought the wisdom and advice of a prophet of the Lord named Huldah. Huldah was a prophet of God and a woman. The text glides seamlessly over this fact, even though a woman prophet in such a male dominated culture must have been interesting. I find myself wondering if Huldah had been listened too before, or maybe she spoke for God but was ignored.
It makes sense that Huldah may have been a prophet in the times of Josiah’s father and grandfather. I wonder if she was trying to speak out against the direction they were taking the people, but was not listened to because of the social norms of the day.
Thankfully, King Josiah sought out her advice and counsel. He did not allow the fact that Huldah was a woman prophet deter him from listening to God’s word spoken through her.
Huldah bravely spoke for God, and Josiah wisely listened to her. We can learn from both of these people of God. We need to be sensitive to God’s call on our life and responsible with the wisdom God gives us, just as Huldah displayed. Also, we need to be like Josiah and seek the counsel of those God has provided. We should not dismiss the advice of someone based on a flimsy excuse.
Are there times in your life when you wished you had listened to the advice someone gave you? Maybe we should take time to listen to those who want to help us. Have you thought about the fact that God may be using you to share wisdom with others? Maybe we should be more like Huldah and be willing to share God’s word despite any barriers that may exist.
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