Titus Connection Volume 19, Number 3, March 2025

Greetings.  You may never have heard of Huldah.  She had an impact in the life of King Josiah.  Enjoy. Thanks.  Mike

When King Josiah chose to repair the Temple and subsequently, Hildah the High Priest discovered the Books of the Law (first five books of the Old Testament) in the Temple as it sat dormant for a long while, Josiah sprang into action to rectify that great problem.  One action was to interact and speak with Huldah, the prophetess (2 Chron 34:22-28, 2 Kings 22:14-22)
Why go to a prophetess, a woman for direction from the Lord?  Huldah the prophetess was a woman who spoke bold truth. She was the wife of Shallum ben Tikvah, who held a prominent position in the royal court as the keeper of the king’s wardrobe.
Huldah takes her place among five women prophets who are singled out in the Old Testament.  The label “prophetess” or “woman prophet” (něbī’āh) is attributed to five women in the Old Testament: Miriam (Exod. 15:20), Deborah (Judg. 4:4), Huldah (2 Kings 22:14; 2 Chron. 34:22), Noadiah (Neh. 6:14), and “the prophetess” – Isaiah’s wife. (Isa. 8:3).
How much courage did Huldah have in order to share what she did with Josiah?  Whom did she truly fear and respect, King Josiah or the King of Kings?  Obviously it was the King of Kings but it took courage to share what she knew she had to share.
This is what Huldah prophesized to Josiah.  Disaster was coming to the land of Judah because God’s people forsook, did not pay attention to what was in the Book of the Law, worshipping false gods and ignoring who God was.  Pride was in their way.
God’s anger would not be quenched until Judah was dealt with.  But because Josiah’s heart was humble and realized the sin the people of Judah had committed; he was immensely repentant and turned back to God.  Josiah humbled himself and led the people to get rid of idolatry, thus this disaster would not occur in Josiah’s reign and lifetime.  He would die in peace.
A heart attitude that means being meek, low-minded, and lacking self (humility is not thinking less of yourself but thinking of yourself less).  You put following Jesus ahead of your own wants and you are to build up people, making them as and often more important than you.  Their needs become your needs and they take precedence in your life.
True humility seeks to bring glory and honor to God.  Humility allows us to submit to God’s will, recognize His authority, and acknowledge our dependence on Him.   Humility allows us to trust in God’s wisdom rather than our own understanding.
Thus a question to ponder is how huge of a role does having a humble heart toward God play in the believer’s life, especially in a Christian leader’s heart?  Huldah lived near the heartbeat of the country due to the job of her husband and had respect among key leadership.  She mediated on the Law and had a quality prayer life.  She heard from God as she was God’s spokesperson.
This was a unique position but was respected by the king as he sought her guidance.  Huldah spoke with integrity as she shared what was unpopular news to Judah.  She had moral courage to do what is right and also difficult.  God chooses to use the humble and despised.  God looks at the heart, not outward appearances.  This is remarkable that Josiah went to Huldah because of the role of women in their society and culture.  God uses women to advance His Kingdom.
How shall we use the gifts, talents and roles that God has given each one of us?  Living a life of moral courage and humility, allows you and I to freely use what God has given us and where He places us for His glory to build His Kingdom.   With an attitude of the willingness to used for His glory, it is amazing how God utilizes us and presents opportunities to know that we are truly being used by Him.  There is no other feeling and peace knowing we are right where God intents and how He uses us for His purposes.

Here is a trivia question.  In the four Gospels, how many questions are recorded that Jesus asked?  Before the answer is given, asking questions is a great tool of communication.  Questions are a teaching method.  Often Jesus taught by asking deep thought-provoking questions like Luke 18:19, “Why do you call me good?”  He even would answer His followers’ questions with questions of His own.
To be an influencer and impactor in your world, you need to learn, unless you know everything already.  One of the best ways to learn is to ask good questions.  People have knowledge, life experiences and expertise in areas you know very little about.  Asking questions can draw information that help you develop.
Asking questions is not a sign of weakness.  As Craig Groeschel said, “Asking questions is a sign of wisdom.  When you are willing to ask questions, you not only grow as a leader, but you become a model of humility and teachability.”  Think about this.  How enjoyable is being around someone who considers him or herself a know-it-all?  The probability that the person is humble is awfully slim to not at all.  They are no fun to be around.
Jesus was a master communicator.  He could have given all the answers to the questions that He never asked, and the followers of Jesus would not have been challenged to figure out how the truths Jesus shared would apply to their lives.  Questions by Jesus were hooks, drawing in His listeners to contemplate what the topic was at that moment.
Asking questions that start with “What” or “How” are better than asking “Do” or “Did” to help us grow and gain wisdom.  Questions are asked to get people thinking, not just to give the answers.
“Why do you doubt?” (Matthew 14:31)
“Why are you thinking these things?”  (Mark 2:8)
“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not do what I tell you?” (Luke 6:46)
“Will you really lay down your life for me?” (John 13:38)
“What good is it for a man to gain the whole world but forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:36)
These questions, among others, draw the audience in to what truth or principle that would be shared.  So much insight would be captured as the followers of Jeus would contemplate the answers they would give.
When questions like these would be asked, deeper and stronger relationships had the potential to be formed.  As a young person, investing in deep, strong relationships are priceless assets you can form now that will reap benefits as you go through life.  No matter one’s age, relationships make or break you.
Think about your relationship with Jesus and with your parents.  These couple of relationships have significant positive or negative consequences depending upon the type of relationships you have with Jesus and your parents.  Learning from them by interaction and asking provide you with insight so greatly needed as you live out your life.
Learning to ask good questions is a skill you can develop.  Then learning to listen to the answers will put you on the path to wisdom and insight.  Active listening often involves asking quality questions.  You can say that good question asking and active listening need each other to be effective.  Something to work on for all of us.
Did you figure out how many questions Jesus asked in the Gospels?  Though there is some minor disagreements, 307 is the recorded number.  How many more did He ask that were not recorded?  Becoming more like Jesus includes growing in your teachability and humbleness.  So go out and ask more quality questions of others!