Depressing as this message was, there remained hope. In that God had threatened to punish the nation, we have seen how the Kings Reformation work came out of humility and zeal. I believe this had delayed the pouring out of Yahweh’s judgment, showing the few individuals the need to seek Yahweh in truth, while He may be found. Could the nation be saved if these believers were multiplied across the nation?
We find that the king carefully listened to the message brought to him by the deputation from Huldah the prophetess of Jerusalem. As he thought upon the solemn words, his enthusiasm for reform became even greater.
He carefully examined the newly discovered Book, and determined he would fully carry out the instructions it contained.
What had been the cause of failure?
The Book declared: "Because they have forsaken the covenant of Yahweh" (Deut 29:25). Therefore the king decided the first thing to be done must be to bring the people back to a consciousness of the covenant. He called for a general gathering of the representatives of the nation: princes, priests, Levites, commoners were assembled together in the court of the temple.
The king stood upon the great brazen platform that had been erected by Solomon (*2 Kings 23:3) so that all could see him. When all was ready, the great scroll was unfolded and, with all eyes centred upon him, the king solemnly read the words of the covenant. Now the people heard for the first time the blessings and cursings that Moses had pronounced: blessings for obedience; cursings for disobedience (Deut 27:1-28). They heard how they would be involved in a growing crescendo of trouble if they turned from the covenant.
But in what form would trouble come?
* See 2 Kings 23:3. The Hebrew al haammud can be rendered "upon the stairs," upon the brazen platform of Solomon (2 Chron 6:13). The R.V. renders: "upon the platform." We note a similar arrangement will be made for the King of the future Age in the temple then to be built (see Ezek 46:2).