2 Chroniques - Caput 34

2 Chroniques 34.1 octo annorum erat Iosias cum regnare coepisset et triginta et uno annis regnavit in Hierusalem 2 Chroniques 34.2 fecitque quod erat rectum in conspectu Domini et ambulavit in viis David patris sui non declinavit neque ad dexteram neque ad sinistram 2 Chroniques 34.3 octavo autem anno regni sui cum adhuc esset puer coepit quaerere Deum patris sui David et duodecimo anno postquam coeperat mundavit Iudam et Hierusalem ab excelsis et lucis simulacrisque et sculptilibus 2 Chroniques 34.4 destruxeruntque coram eo aras Baalim et simulacra quae superposita fuerant demoliti sunt lucos etiam et sculptilia succidit atque comminuit et super tumulos eorum qui eis immolare consueverant fragmenta dispersit 2 Chroniques 34.5 ossa praeterea sacerdotum conbusit in altaribus idolorum mundavitque Iudam et Hierusalem 2 Chroniques 34.6 sed et in urbibus Manasse et Ephraim et Symeon usque Nepthalim cuncta subvertit 2 Chroniques 34.7 cumque altaria dissipasset et lucos et sculptilia contrivisset in frusta cunctaque delubra demolitus esset de universa terra Israhel reversus est Hierusalem 2 Chroniques 34.8 igitur anno octavodecimo regni sui mundata iam terra et templo Domini misit Saphan filium Eseliae et Maasiam principem civitatis et Ioha filium Ioachaz a commentariis ut instaurarent domum Domini Dei sui 2 Chroniques 34.9 qui venerunt ad Helciam sacerdotem magnum acceptamque ab eo pecuniam quae inlata fuerat in domum Domini et quam congregaverant Levitae ianitores de Manasse et Ephraim et universis reliquiis Israhel ab omni quoque Iuda et Beniamin et habitatoribus Hierusalem 2 Chroniques 34.10 tradiderunt in manibus eorum qui praeerant operariis in domo Domini ut instaurarent templum et infirma quaeque sarcirent 2 Chroniques 34.11 at illi dederunt eam artificibus et cementariis ut emerent lapides de lapidicinis et ligna ad commissuras aedificii et ad contignationem domorum quas destruxerant reges Iuda 2 Chroniques 34.12 qui fideliter cuncta faciebant erant autem praepositi operantium Iaath et Abdias de filiis Merari Zaccharias et Mosollam de filiis Caath qui urguebant opus omnes Levitae scientes organis canere 2 Chroniques 34.13 super eos vero qui ad varios usus onera portabant erant scribae et magistri de Levitis ianitores 2 Chroniques 34.14 cumque efferrent pecuniam quae inlata fuerat in templum Domini repperit Helcias sacerdos librum legis Domini per manum Mosi 2 Chroniques 34.15 et ait ad Saphan scribam librum legis inveni in domo Domini et tradidit ei 2 Chroniques 34.16 at ille intulit volumen ad regem et nuntiavit ei dicens omnia quae dedisti in manu servorum tuorum ecce conplentur 2 Chroniques 34.17 argentum quod reppertum est in domo Domini conflaverunt datumque est praefectis artificum et diversa opera fabricantium 2 Chroniques 34.18 praeterea tradidit mihi Helcias sacerdos hunc librum quem cum rege praesente recitasset 2 Chroniques 34.19 audissetque ille verba legis scidit vestimenta sua 2 Chroniques 34.20 et praecepit Helciae et Ahicam filio Saphan et Abdon filio Micha Saphan quoque scribae et Asaiae servo regis dicens 2 Chroniques 34.21 ite et orate Dominum pro me et pro reliquiis Israhel et Iuda super universis sermonibus libri istius qui reppertus est magnus enim furor Domini stillavit super nos eo quod non custodierint patres nostri verba Domini ut facerent omnia quae scripta sunt in isto volumine 2 Chroniques 34.22 abiit igitur Helcias et hii qui simul a rege missi fuerant ad Holdan propheten uxorem Sellum filii Thecuath filii Hasra custodis vestium quae habitabat Hierusalem in secunda et locuti sunt ei verba quae supra narravimus 2 Chroniques 34.23 at illa respondit eis haec dicit Dominus Deus Israhel dicite viro qui misit vos ad me 2 Chroniques 34.24 haec dicit Dominus ecce ego inducam mala super locum istum et super habitatores eius cunctaque maledicta quae scripta sunt in libro hoc quem legerunt coram rege Iuda 2 Chroniques 34.25 quia dereliquerunt me et sacrificaverunt diis alienis ut me ad iracundiam provocarent in cunctis operibus manuum suarum idcirco stillavit furor meus super locum istum et non extinguetur 2 Chroniques 34.26 ad regem autem Iuda qui misit vos pro Domino deprecando sic loquimini haec dicit Dominus Deus Israhel quoniam audisti verba voluminis 2 Chroniques 34.27 atque emollitum est cor tuum et humiliatus es in conspectu Dei super his quae dicta sunt contra locum hunc et habitatores Hierusalem reveritusque faciem meam scidisti vestimenta tua et flevisti coram me ego quoque exaudivi te dicit Dominus 2 Chroniques 34.28 iam enim colligam te ad patres tuos et infereris in sepulchrum tuum in pace nec videbunt oculi tui omne malum quod ego inducturus sum super locum istum et super habitatores eius rettulerunt itaque regi cuncta quae dixerat 2 Chroniques 34.29 at ille convocatis universis maioribus natu Iuda et Hierusalem 2 Chroniques 34.30 ascendit domum Domini unaque omnes viri Iuda et habitatores Hierusalem sacerdotes et Levitae et cunctus populus a minimo usque ad maximum quibus audientibus in domo Domini legit rex omnia verba voluminis 2 Chroniques 34.31 et stans in tribunali suo percussit foedus coram Domino ut ambularet post eum et custodiret praecepta et testimonia et iustificationes eius in toto corde suo et in tota anima sua faceretque quae scripta sunt in volumine illo quem legerat 2 Chroniques 34.32 adiuravit quoque super hoc omnes qui repperti fuerant in Hierusalem et Beniamin et fecerunt habitatores Hierusalem iuxta pactum Domini Dei patrum suorum 2 Chroniques 34.33 abstulit ergo Iosias cunctas abominationes de universis regionibus filiorum Israhel et fecit omnes qui residui erant in Israhel servire Domino Deo suo cunctis diebus eius non recesserunt a Domino Deo patrum suorum

2 Chroniques : Caput 34

The Rediscovery of God's Word: The Reign of Josiah

Chapter 34 of 2 Chronicles introduces us to the inspiring reign of Josiah and highlights how the rediscovery of God's Word can transform a nation. Through the reforms undertaken by Josiah, the renewal of the temple, and the significant impact of the discovery of the Book of the Law, this text invites us to reflect on essential themes such as national repentance, covenant renewal, and the central importance of Scripture.

The Reforms of Josiah

Josiah, as king of Judah, undertook reforms that revitalized the spiritual life of his people. Chapter 34 of 2 Chronicles highlights the fundamental role of spiritual leaders in this reformation, and how their commitment to God's Word led to collective renewal.

Reflection on Scripture

Let's meditate together on five biblical passages that resonate with the fundamental principles of this crucial chapter:

2 Kings 22:8-13

"The high priest Hilkiah said to Shaphan the scribe, 'I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the Lord.' He gave it to Shaphan, and he read it. [...] When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes and gave these orders to the Hilkiah the priest [...] 'Go and inquire of the Lord for me, for the people, and for all Judah, concerning what is written in this book that has been found...'." This passage provides crucial details about the discovery of the Book of the Law during the reign of Josiah, as recorded in 2 Chronicles 34.

Deuteronomy 31:24-26

"After Moses had finished writing the words of this law from beginning to end in a book, he commanded the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord: 'Take this book of the Law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God, that it may stand there as a witness against you.'" This excerpt sheds light on the origin of the Book of the Law found during the reign of Josiah in 2 Chronicles 34.

Jeremiah 1:1-2

"The words of Jeremiah son of Hilkiah, one of the priests of Anathoth in Benjamin. The word of the Lord came to him in the thirteenth year of Josiah son of Ammon, king of Judah." This passage places the beginning of the prophet Jeremiah's ministry, in the midst of the reform period under Josiah, as described in 2 Chronicles 34.

Zephaniah 1:1

"The word of the Lord that came to Zephaniah son of Cushi, the grandson of Gedaliah, the great-grandson of Amariah, and the great-great-grandson of Hezekiah, in the reign of Josiah son of Ammon, king of Judah." This verse highlights the ministry of the prophet Zephaniah during the reign of Josiah, enriching the narrative in 2 Chronicles 34.

Psalms 119:9-11

"How can a young man keep his conduct pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not allow me to stray from your commandments. I have kept your word in my heart that I might not sin against you." This psalm resonates with Josiah's attitude, as he sought to live according to the rediscovered Word of God.

In conclusion, the rediscovery of God's Word during Josiah's reign teaches us the importance of a life centered on the Scriptures and the necessity of a collective return to faith for true spiritual renewal.