630 BC to 610 BC, Psalm 16: Rediscovering the Legacy.

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    Summary

This generation is from the years 890 BC to 870 BC

According to our count, this generation is the 3rd generation associated with Psalm 3. It is in this Psalm 3 that we therefore find an illustration of the facts of this generation.

The sixteen generation is Josiah’s generation. His reign began on the previous generation and will end on the beginning of the next generation (generation seventeen). This generation is therefore under the sign of reconciliation with the Lord because Josiah follows « in all the way of his grandfather David. » It will also be an opportunity to rediscover the divine doctrine, of which the book (the torah) is rediscovered to this generation. Ignored until then, Josiah and the people of Judea will rediscover the divine commandments.

Despite the prediction of the prophetess Hulda[2] predicting that God’s wrath would soon come upon the kingdom of Judah, King Josiah executed[3] the precepts of the book. In particular by destroying all the idolatrous relics of the kingdom including those built by Solomon and instituted the Passover celebration which had never been celebrated in this way since the time of the Judges.

Talk

The book of the law has been found

The sixteen generation is Josiah’s generation. His reign began on the previous generation and will end on the beginning of the next generation (generation seventeen). This generation is therefore under the sign of reconciliation with the Lord because Josiah follows « in all the way of his grandfather David. » It will also be an opportunity to rediscover the divine doctrine, of which the book (the torah) is rediscovered to this generation. Ignored until then, Josiah and the people of Judea will rediscover the divine commandments:

  • And[1] it was in the eighteenth year of King Josiah, that the king sent Shaphan the son of Azaliah the son of Meshullam the scribe to the house of the Lord, saying:
  • « Go up to Hilkiah the high priest and let him gather up all the silver that was brought to the house of the Lord, that the keepers of the utensils collected from the people.
  • And let them give it into the hands of the foremen of the work, who are appointed in the house of the Lord, and let them give it to the workers who are in the house of the Lord, to repair the damage of the Temple
  • To the carpenters and to the builders and to the masons, and to purchase wood and quarried stones, to strengthen the Temple.
  • However, no reckoning shall be made with them of the silver that is given into their hands, for they deal honestly. »
  • And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, « I have found the Scroll of the Law in the house of the Lord, » and Hilkiah gave the scroll to Shaphan, and he read it.
  • And Shaphan the scribe came to the king and brought back word to the king, and said, « Your servants have melted the silver that was found in the Temple, and they have given it into the hands of the foremen of the work who were appointed over the house of the Lord.
  • And Shaphan the scribe told the king, saying, « Hilkiah the priest gave me a scroll, » And Shaphan read it before the king.
  • And it was when the king heard the words of the scroll of the Law, that he rent his garments.
  • And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest and Ahikam the son of Shaphan and Achbor the son of Micaiah and Shaphan the scribe and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying,
  • « Go, inquire of the Lord on my behalf and on the behalf of the people and on behalf of all of Judah concerning the words of this scroll which has been found, for great is the Lord’s wrath which is kindled against us, since our forefathers did not obey the words of this scroll, to do according to all that is written concerning us. »

Josiah’s self-denial

Despite the prediction of the prophetess Hulda[2] predicting that God’s wrath would soon come upon the kingdom of Judah, King Josiah executed[3] the precepts of the book. In particular by destroying all the idolatrous relics of the kingdom including those built by Solomon and instituted the Passover celebration which had never been celebrated in this way since the time of the Judges.

From all these facts is illustrated the illustration of Psalm sixteen:

  1. A michtam of David; O God, guard me for I have taken refuge in You.
    • This expresses well the attitude of Josiah who stands out from his predecessors by relying fully on the Lord.
  2. You should say to the Lord, « You are my Master; my good is not incumbent upon You.
  3. For the holy ones who are in the earth, and the mighty ones in whom is all my delight. 
    • Josiah turns to the LORD and, after the discovery of the book of Torah, scrupulously applies his precepts.
  4. May the sorrows of those who hasten after another [deity] increase; I will not pour their libations of blood, nor will I take their names upon my lips.
    • Attitude that breaks with that of his predecessors, as shown by the indictment of Jeremiah who begins his prophecies during the reign of Josiah.

An attitude that breaks with that of his predecessors, as shown by the indictment of Jeremiah who begins his prophecies during the reign of Josiah:

  • How[4] you adorn your way to seek love! Verily, even to the most evil you accustomed your ways.
  • Also in your skirts is found the blood of the souls of the innocent poor; you did not find them breaking in, but for all these.

Josiah will also completely abandon idolatrous worship which incorporated human sacrifices:

  • And[5] he (Josias)  defiled the Topheth that was in the Valley of Ben Hinnom, so that no man would pass his son or his daughter in the fire to the Molech.

And also for the rest of the psalm:

  1. The Lord is my allotted portion and my cup; You guide my destiny.
  2. Portions have fallen to me in pleasant places; even the inheritance pleases me. »
    • The inheritance is of course the book of the law found in the Temple and which constitutes the most precious good that the people of Israel of the previous generations could inherit. Despite the misfortunes that are predicted, Josias accepts this transmission.
  3. I will bless the Lord, Who counseled me; even at night my conscience instructs me.
  4. I have placed the Lord before me constantly; because [He is] at my right hand, I will not falter.
    • We are still at the heart of the curses, in the first phase of the night undergone by the people of Israel. In spite of this, the people of Israel, through Josiah, renew their trust in the Lord by celebrating again the Passover which is the feast that seals the union between the people of Israel and the Lord. 
  5. Therefore, my heart rejoiced, and my soul was glad; even my flesh shall dwell in safety.
  6. For You shall not forsake my soul to the grave; You shall not allow Your pious one to see the pit. 
  7. You shall let me know the way of life, the fullness of joys in Your presence. There is pleasantness in Your right hand forever.
    • Prophetess Houlda’s predictions foreshadow painful events to come for the people of Israel. Despite this, he knows that his God will not completely abandon him and that at the end of the night, at the end of the trials, dawn will come.

[1] Melachim II – II Kings – Chapter 22, verses 3 to 13

[2] Melachim II – II Kings – Chapter 22, verses 14 and following

[3] Melachim II – II Kings – Chapter 23

[4] Yirmiyahu – Jeremiah – Chapter 2, verses 33 and 34

[5] Melachim II – II Kings – Chapter 23, verse 10