RTW 2024

Shaphan also told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a scroll.” So Shaphan read it to the king.

‍When the king heard what was written in the Law, he tore his clothes in despair. Then he gave these orders to Hilkiah, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the court secretary, and Asaiah the king’s personal adviser: “Go to the Temple and speak to the LORD for me and for all the remnant of Israel and Judah. Inquire about the words written in the scroll that has been found. For the LORD’s great anger has been poured out on us because our ancestors have not obeyed the word of the LORD. We have not been doing everything this scroll says we must do.

2 Chronicles 34:18-21

They offer superficial treatments
    for my people’s mortal wound.
They give assurances of peace
    when there is no peace.
Jeremiah 6:14

• Genesis 37:29: First example in the OT of tearing garments in grief. Reuben tore his clothes in grief over Joseph.
• Priests not to tear their garments, considered sacred.
• Garments were important property, could be expensive, costly.
• The Hebrew verb of action denotes a “violent action” in the tearing of garments.

Do your best with all your heart with what you know. Keep learning and growing. When you know better, do better. Don't shame yourself, but don't stop growing. Take responsibility, repent when needed, make it right with God and others when needed, but then move on and keep growing. Grace abounds as we learn and grow.