Spring Quarter: Unit I, Lesson 3 – Teachers

As a result of experiencing this lesson, you should be able to do these things:

• Analyze the prophetess Huldah’s message from God for King Josiah.
• Reflect on Josiah’s behavior after hearing the words of the Book of the Law.
• Seek godly advice about your future.

Forsaken (verse 17)—Hebrew: azab (aw-zab’): left; neglect; deserted.

Huldah (verse 14)—Hebrew: Chuldah (khool-daw’): an Israelite prophetess in the time ofJosiah.

The Book (verse 16)—Hebrew: sepher (say-fer’): The Book of the Law found during Josiah’s reign was responsible for the renewal of the covenant and other reforms.

• Refer to the Townsend Press SS Commentary Teacher’s Edition for an additional lesson plan—with word studies, insights on teaching adults, learner matrices, etc.
• Review last week’s student assignments (“Your Life” and Your World!”).
• Thoroughly review your student book for your adult or young adult class.
• Please note that you have the option of using your subscription bundle supplements, i.e., Lesson Scenario, Student Activity Sheet, SSL-AAG

No one knows all the implications of what they learn. Who can help us understand what the future holds? King Josiah’s advisers consulted the prophetess Huldah, who shared her God-given insights about the coming days of the nation and the king.

Every day, we are exposed to a vast and overwhelming amount of information. Many traditional printed sources of information like newspapers and magazines are now competing with social- networking sites like Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Additionally, people have access to multiple sites for social review, image sharing, video hosting, community blogs, and discussions. Information about almost any subject can be found by using electronic devices and conducting an Internet search. The challenge is to identify which of these sources are the most useful and reliable. Millions of people center their lives around social media and the lives of celebrities they will never meet. An unhealthy obsession with “virtual living” and an unbalanced reliance on such information sources may lead to nothing but frustration and distraction. While it is important to follow the news and to know what is going on in the world, within reason, Christians must never forget that the ultimate source of guidance and wisdom in life is the Word of God. The Scriptures provide infallible and trustworthy instructions for living, both now and in the future.

The background of the Print Passage for this lesson is the ascension of Josiah to the throne as king of Judah. During the fifty-seven years that preceded King Josiah’s enthronement, Judah had been led deeper into idolatry by Josiah’s grandfather King Manasseh and his father, King Amon. The Bible describes Manasseh as Judah’s most sinful king— he reversed all of the religious reforms of Josiah’s great-grandfather Hezekiah (see 2 Chronicles 21:3). Manasseh had even erected pagan altars in the Temple itself, desecrating it and leaving it in need of cleansing and remodeling (see 2 Kings 22:3-7). By contrast, Josiah was totally dedicated to and steadfastly followed God’s approved course of conduct all of his life (see 2 Kings 22:2). Historically, Josiah is noted as Judah’s last good king prior to the Babylonian exile. The discovery of the Book of the Law inspired Josiah’s faithful effort to cleanse, renovate, and restore worship in the Temple, resulting in an unexpected future blessing.

(Choose from the items below.)

1. Why did God plan to discipline Judah?
2. What similar sins against God are being committed today?
3. How does God’s message to Josiah prove that He will reward faithfulness?
4. Why is consulting the revealed Word of God both crucial and beneficial for believers today?

People are prone to be concerned about the future and often seek advice from multiple and diverse sources. Josiah, however, provides the example for believers to follow when they need guidance and wisdom for their lives. When confronted with a disturbing prediction from the Book of the Law, Josiah sought a source through whom God would speak and provide the wisdom he would need. God remains the ultimate source of wisdom and has given His complete, infallible, inerrant, and inexhaustible Word to reveal His wisdom to us.

Your students may have real concerns about the future because of the turmoil, disturbing conditions, and challenges they face both directly and indirectly. This lesson provides the opportunity to remind them that God’s Word is the only reliable source of instruction and guidance for living as Christians in a world of uncertainty (see 2 Timothy 3:16-17). Emphasize Josiah’s response as an example and encourage the students to make God’s Word the top priority for seeking wisdom for the future.

ADDITIONAL EXPOSITORY INSIGHTS FOR THE TEACHER

2 Kings 22:14-17

KJV

14 So Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam, and Achbor, and Shaphan, and Asahiah, went unto Huldah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum the son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe; (now she dwelt in Jerusalem in the college;) and they communed with her.

15 And she said unto them, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Tell the man that sent you to me,

16 Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read:

17 Because they have forsaken me, and have burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.

NIV

14 Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Akbor, Shaphan and Asaiah went to speak to the prophet Huldah, who was the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah, the son of Harhas, keeper of the wardrobe. She lived in Jerusalem, in the New Quarter.

15 She said to them, “This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: Tell the man who sent you to me,

16 “‘This is what the LORD says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and its people, according to everything written in the book the king of Judah has read.

17 “‘Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods and aroused my anger by all the idols their hands have made, my anger will burn against this place and will not be quenched.’”

Josiah’s ascension to the throne as king of Judah was clouded by the results of fifty-seven years of idolatry promoted by his grandfather Manasseh and his father, Amon. Josiah, Judah’s last godly king before the Babylonian exile, devoted himself to restoring genuine worship as had his greatgrandfather Hezekiah. As a result, he ordered a badly needed Temple restoration (see 2 Kings 22:37). During the course of the Temple’s remodeling, Hilkiah the high priest discovered the Book of the Law, a scroll containing the Torah or Pentateuch. Hilkiah gave the scroll to the scribe, Shaphan, who subsequently read it to Josiah. It has been suggested that Shaphan may have read Deuteronomy 31:29, the prediction of forthcoming disaster, because of the people’s consistent idolatry (see 2 Kings 22:810).

Josiah’s response was twofold—immediate grief over God’s impending wrath, and commissioning five of his court officials to seek a word from God concerning this frightening prediction (see 2 Kings 22:11-13). Josiah’s delegation sought out a prophetess named Huldah (verse 14). Why they specifically sought her is unexplained and is unimportant in that she obviously had the authority to speak for God and interpret the scroll (verse 15).

The message about Judah and Jerusalem was based on the scroll and revealed that the calamity that would fall on the city and the nation was confirmed and irreversible because of the persistent sin of idolatry as the Lord had warned in the Law of Moses (verses 16-17). God’s wrath was stirred because of Israel’s deliberate forsaking of His commandments which, having been obeyed, would have led to blessing, abundant life, and the privilege of being His ambassadors among all other nations.

Josiah provides the example of what to do and where to go when circumstances are unclear and wisdom is needed to move forward. He allowed the reading of the Law to convict him and lead him to a deeper understanding of God’s spiritual purposes for the nation. The prophetess Huldah spoke for God and clarified the written Word of the Lord. Although God still speaks through His servants, God’s written Word is complete and available to every believer. As members of the royal priesthood, we have direct access to God for wisdom and guidance. God has also given the Holy Spirit to lead and guide us in all things. Additionally, God has called and equipped servants among us who have been commissioned to equip and edify His people (see Ephesians 4:1112). The challenge is to give ourselves to the study of God’s Word (see 2 Timothy 2:15) and make full use of the privilege of approaching God in prayer (see Matthew 7:7-8; James 1:5, 17).

DISCUSSION STARTERS

(Please review the appropriate student lesson for related biblical exposition section.)

• Adult Question:

What is a prerequisite for being genuinely convicted by the Word of God?

• Young Adult Question:

Huldah’s reputation as a godly woman preceded her. Think about the godly men and women in your life. How have their lives inspired you?

2 Kings 22:18-20

KJV

18 But to the king of Judah which sent you to enquire of the LORD, thus shall ye say to him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, As touching the words which thou hast heard;

19 Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the LORD, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me; I also have heard thee, saith the LORD.

20 Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again.

NIV

18 “Tell the king of Judah, who sent you to inquire of the LORD, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says concerning the words you heard:

19 “‘Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the LORD when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people—that they would become a curse and be laid waste—and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I also have heard you, declares the LORD.

20 “‘Therefore I will gather you to your ancestors, and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place.’” So they took her answer back to the king.

God’s message to Josiah through Huldah was a blend of the impending judgment and His mercy (verse 18). Judah would suffer the consequences of her sin, but Josiah would be spared the heartbreak of having to see and experience it personally. Josiah would experience God’s mercy in this regard because he responded to God’s word and humbled himself when he heard it (verse 19). Huldah prophesied that King Josiah would die in peace and be buried before judgment descended on Judah (verse 20). According to the Word of the Lord, Josiah died in battle with Egypt four years before Nebuchadnezzar’s first attack on Jerusalem. Josiah acted on what he initially heard from the reading of the Book of the Law. Josiah was convicted and humbled by the Word and fully committed himself to obeying it. God recognized and rewarded Josiah’s faithfulness in seeking wisdom for Judah and for himself. God always rewards faithfulness. How do you respond to God’s Word as the guide for daily living? Where do you initially turn when confronted with uncertainties and unexplainable challenges? Do you allow the Word to convict or excite your emotions? Josiah raises the bar for us in terms of how to respond to the Word of God and where to go when we need wisdom to face the future.

DISCUSSION STARTERS

(Please review the appropriate student book’s related biblical exposition section.)

• Adult Question:

Why do you think some people prefer to order their lives by counterfeit (ungodly) sources of wisdom?

• Young Adult Questions:

(1) What do you think about the justice and grace of God? How have you seen God demonstrate both in your life?

(2) How much does one’s level of obedience to Bible teachings reflect his or her commitment to God? If you can, support your answer with a Bible verse.

• Refer to Adult Book

(See student lesson’s “Your Life” section.)

— To whom do you typically turn when you need advice, especially about your future? Often we turn to family members, close friends, or other trusted persons. Josiah points us to God, the only real source of the wisdom we need to guide our lives. This week, spend time in prayer and meditating on God’s written and spoken Word to navigate the path He has already ordained and walk it by faith.

(See student lesson’s “Your World!” section.)

— There are so many conflicting “voices” in our world designed to distract or hinder us from going to God for wisdom. Commit to focusing on God’s Word as your primary source of wisdom, applying it to your life in every season.

• Refer to Young Adult Book

(See student lesson’s “Your Life” section.)

— Josiah was so moved by the Word of God that he responded by calling for spiritual reforms. As you read, study, and hear God’s Word, you are encouraged not only to listen and obey but also to immediately respond in repentance and obedient faith.

(See student lesson’s “Your World!” section.)

— God speaks to us today through His Word, through prayer, through our trials, and even through others. Do not be afraid to seek godly advice from others (e.g., your pastor, a reputable teacher of God’s Word, solid Christian friends, a godly biblical counselor, etc.). Trust the Holy Spirit to guide you.

The lesson topic for Sunday, March 28, 2021, is “The Bearer of Bad News.” The Devotional Reading is Luke 19:28-39, the Background Scriptures are 1 Kings 18–19; Matthew 17:1-13, and the Printed Text is 1 Kings 18:5-18.

Dear Father, looking over the landscape of our environment causes concern about the future. Thank You for being the only reliable and dependable source of the wisdom, guidance, joy, and peace we need to encourage and sustain us in a world of uncertainty. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.

(March 22-28, 2021)

Elijah: Prophet of Courage

MONDAY, March 22: “Elijah Is with Moses and Jesus” (Mark 9:2-8)
TUESDAY, March 23: “John the Baptist, the New Elijah” (Mark 9:9-13)
WEDNESDAY, March 24: “Elijah Is Sent to King Ahab” (1 Kings 18:1-4)
THURSDAY, March 25: “Elijah Challenges Baal Prophets” (1 Kings 18:20-26, 30-33, 36-39)
FRIDAY, March 26: “Elijah in the Wilderness with God” (1 Kings 19:1-8)
SATURDAY, March 27: “God Commissions Elijah for New Work” (1 Kings 19:9b-15)
SUNDAY, March 28: “King Ahab Meets Prophet Elijah” (1 Kings 18:5-18)