S2: Men and Women in Christ | "Huldah and Josiah" | Malcolm Cox

A sermon for the Watford church of Christ. 1. Huldah, vv14-20A. What was an Old Testament prophet?QUESTION: Definition?A ‘covenant enforcer’B. One of a few female prophetsThe others: Miriam, Deborah, and Isaiah’s wife (Exod 15:20; Judg 4:4; 2 Kgs 22:14; Isa 8:3). No sense this wrongNo sense should be a manContemporaries: Jeremiah; Nahum; Zephaniah; HabakkukC. Knew the BibleKnew the book - even though lostKnew it was ScriptureKnew how to interpret into her time2. Josiah, vv8-13; 23:1ffA. Strikes against himEvil grandfather and father - 2 Kings 21:6; 21:20-22Tragic family - 2 Kings 21:23-24Evil societal religious culture - 2 Kings 23:6, 7, 10, Evil leadership culture - 8/4His elders and betters had got it wrongNot a victimB. Spiritual IntegrityEnquire of the best person - even if not conventional.Wants to know how much authority this book hasWants to know what it means for himC. Renews covenant & Passover23:1-3, 21-23, 25Urgent, thorough, self-motivated, braveConsequences to religion industry!Purity of heart — he was OK. Did this for Israel and God. Why did Josiah react in the way he did? What does that tell us about him?What motivated his actions? Why did he do what he did?What can we learn from Josiah?What does Huldah’s response tell us about her?Why do you think Josiah asked her, not any other prophet?What can we learn from Huldah?SummaryJosiah had a good heartHe needed someone to help him interpret God’s WordHuldah had cultivated her relationship with GodShe was ready when the most important opportunity came3. God and UsA. Huldah as a model of spiritual wisdomDo you need to devote yourself to learning scripture?We are all teachers - but teachers need to learnB. Josiah as a model of repentanceDo you need to seek out someone to help you understand your spiritual state?Do you need to repent?Any idols?C. God as patient, warning, helpingConclusionJosiah’s name: healed by God; God will support; God heals1 Peter 2.24 - his wounds heal usPlease add your comments on this week’s topic. We learn best when we learn in community. Do you have a question about teaching the Bible? Is it theological, technical, practical? Send me your questions or suggestions. Here’s the email: [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected]). If you’d like a copy of my free eBook on spiritual disciplines, “How God grows His people”, sign up at my website: http://[www.malcolmcox.org](http://www.malcolmcox.org/). Please pass the link on, subscribe, leave a review. “Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.” (Psalms 100:2 NIV11) God bless, Malcolm