Because you tore your robes and wept in my presence

2 Kings 22:1-20

Josiah was eight years old when he became king, He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord and followed completely the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.

Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the Lord.” He gave it to Shaphan, who read it. Then Shaphan the secretary went to the king and reported to him: “Your officials have paid out the money that was in the temple of the Lord and have entrusted it to the workers and supervisors at the temple.” Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king.

When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes. “Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord’s anger that burns against us because those who have gone before us have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us.”

She said to them, “This is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: Tell the man who sent you to me, ‘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. 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.’

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. 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.’

Josiah reigns 31 years. The writer portrays him as the best of Judah's kings. loyal to God and his laws, and carrying out thorough-going religious reform. A book of the law is found in the course of repairing the Temple. Reading it reveals that the nation has broken the covenant with God, incurring the statutory penalties for such disloyalty. But the faithfulness of the king is taken into account

Why?

The destination of Juda has decided by the Lord, when king Josiah humbled himself and tore his robe, the Lord turned to Juda and blessed Josiah won't see the disaster in his life.

The Lord is full of love, anyone regrets from their sins and turns to the Lord. God always give us the opportunity and blesses us.

How?

God is good, how great is the love of the Lord! Give thanks to the Lord!