Shaphan, Hilkiah, Ahikam, Abdon, and Asaiah immediately headed for Jerusalem's second district, where the prophetess Huldah lived. They were sure that she'd truthfully tell them the fate of the king, and of all the people, and of the whole land of Judah. They hurried along the streets, as any servant does when he's on an official errand, but as they approached her door, their trepidation grew.

They'd all learned, from a very young age, of all the miraculous things God had down for His chosen people, and they'd witnessed His love for them in their own lives. They'd also learned, from a very young age, that God's laws had to be followed, and that He had the authority to punish those who didn't follow His laws. How would God respond to their disobedience?

They didn't have to wait long to find out. Huldah was waiting for them, with a grim expression on her face. They bowed respectfully to this woman who had the words of God to tell them.

Hilkiah stepped forward with the Book of the Law in his hands, and said nervously, "I found this in the Temple this morning, as it was being cleaned, and I gave it to Shaphan." He paused to indicate Shaphan's presence, and Shaphan responded with a nod of acknowledgement. Then Hilkiah continued.

"Shaphan read the Book to the King, and the King sent us to you to find out what he and the people and the whole land of Judah must do in response to what has been made known to us in this Book."

Huldah looked downcast. She'd known that these men would come to see her-the Lord had told her as much when He gave her His answer for them-but that didn't make what she had to say any easier. After all, Judah was her land as well. Nevertheless, she had to truthfully say what God had told her.

She said gravely, "This is what the Lord says: I am going to bring disaster on this place and on its people-all the curses written in the book that has been read in the presence of the king of Judah. Because they have forsaken me and burned incense to other gods and provoked me to anger by all that their hands have made, my anger will be poured out on this place and will not be quenched."

A chill ran down the men's spines as they listened. They knew God's wrath was something that they didn't want to face, and now they knew they would-or maybe their children would, or their grandchildren... All because of what they and their forefathers had done. It was enough to make them want to cry, but Huldah wasn't finished yet.

She continued, "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: Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before God when you heard what He spoke against this place and its people, and because you humbled yourself before me and tore your robes and wept in my presence, I have heard you, declares the Lord. Now I will gather you to your fathers and you will be buried in peace. Your eyes will not see all the disaster I am going to bring on this place and on those who live here."

The five men took this information in with mixed emotions. They were immensely happy that King Josiah would be spared from having to witness what their hands had brought about, but they were deeply saddened that God's wrath might not be poured down right away--on them-the ones who deserved it. If they had to wait for Josiah to die, it could be a very long time-their king was still several years away from turning thirty. On the other hand, if he was killed in a war, wasn't it possible that others would lose their lives too?

Having been given what they came to receive-an answer-they gave their thanks and blessings to Huldah and walked back to the palace. As they walked their profound sadness stayed with them.

When they arrived at the palace, they were immediately ushered into the king's presence-Josiah had been anxiously awaiting their return ever since they'd left. The king's heart twisted in agony when he saw their faces because he knew the news wouldn't be good, but he said nothing until they'd finished telling him what Huldah had said. Then he surprised them by calling all the elders and people to a huge meeting at the Temple.

Once everyone had assembled, King Josiah stood up and renewed the covenant in the presence of the Lord. Josiah pledged to follow the Lord and keep His commands, regulations and decrees with all his heart and all his soul and to obey the words of the covenant written in the Book. Then he had all the people do the same.

At the end of the day, Josiah and Shaphan headed home to the palace, and the secretary asked his king why he'd done these things. He wondered what good it was to follow the covenant when God had already said He would punish them for their disobedience.

"Don't you see, Shaphan?" Josiah asked, anxious to have him understand, "Don't you see, it's not good enough to read from the Book of the Law and be sorry for not doing all that it says-no, no, that's not good enough-we must respond to what it says and do those things! How much graver would God's wrath be if we didn't change our ways?. Don't you see, Shaphan?"

"Yes, yes," Shaphan answered hesitantly at first, but then he grew more assured, "Yes, I do believe I do see, your majesty."

"Good-because I am not done yet-there is much more to be done before we are truly following the Lord."