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A TENDER HEART
MONDAY, APRIL 5
2 Kings 22:8-20

Jeremiah 36:5-24

 

“…thine heart was tender, and

thou hast humbled thyself…”

 

A TENDER HEART
 
The word “tender” here (2 Kings 22:19) has the idea of softness, and is often used in the sense of fear. The context of this passage is God’s judgment: the discovery of the book of the law revealed the failure of the nation to keep God’s commandments, and so the great wrath of God was kindled against them (v 13). The “tender heart” of Josiah (v 19), therefore, describes his response to the warning of God’s impending judgment. As soft cement readily receives impressions, so Josiah’s tender heart was readily affected by the warning of God’s judgment ‒ he rent his clothes, and wept (v 19). Not only that, he embarked on an extensive program of reformation, removing all traces of idolatry from Judah. He did this, even though God had said the judgment could not be averted (v 17)! Josiah’s tender heart, in other words, did not consist only of a desire to escape judgment, but a sincere desire to “perform the words of the law” (2 Kings 23:24).
 
By contrast, once cement is set, it becomes impervious and rigid: so those whose hearts are hardened do not respond when God’s judgment is declared. We find an example of such a hardened heart in Josiah’s own son, Jehoiakim. The prophet Jeremiah wrote the words of God’s judgment on a roll, so that the king and the nation might repent of their evil ways (Jer 36:1-3). Instead, when the roll was read before the king, he cut it up and cast it into a fire. “Yet, they were not afraid, nor rent their garments, neither the king, nor any of his servants,” when they heard the words of judgment (Jer 36:24).
 
Many in the last days, like Jehoiakim, will scoff at God’s judgment (cf. 2 Pet 3:3-4). But the day of the Lord will surely come, as a thief in the night. The old adage that nothing is certain except death and taxes needs biblical refinement: two things are certain for every man, death and judgment (cf. Heb 9:27). What is your response to this warning of judgment? Will you harden your heart, discard God’s Word, and go about your life as you please? Or will you, with a tender heart, knowing that this judgment cannot be averted, nevertheless repent of your sins and seek to do what is right in God’s sight (cf. 2 Pet 3:11-12)?
 
THOUGHT: Is my heart tender, or hard, towards God’s judgment?

PRAYER: Father, help me to respond rightly to Thy coming judgment.

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