Scripture: 2 Kings 22: 8-13
8 And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the Lord.” And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.9 And Shaphan the secretary came to the king, and reported to the king, “Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the Lord.”10 Then Shaphan the secretary told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king.
11 When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes.12 And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Micaiah, and Shaphan the secretary, and Asaiah the king’s servant, saying,13 “Go, inquire of the Lord for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found. For great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.” (ESV)
Observation:
What an awesome passage of Scripture. Josiah, the child king, orders the temple to be remodeled. In the process the Book of the Law is found. And in the process of reading it they find out they are in deep trouble. Josiah realized how he and the people had sinned against God and that forgiveness needed to be asked to God for how the people had strayed from what was written. Imagine this book being lost for many years and here Josiah comes face to face with his own sin and that of his people. So forgiveness is asked for and the day is saved.
Application:
I don’t know about you, but there are times when I read a passage from the Bible and it’s like I’m reading it for the first time. Not in a real sense like with Josiah, but in a figurative sense it has been neglected or forgotten. Then we read precious words and our hearts are filled with the beautiful message of the Gospel afresh and we are ready and renewed to serve God with more fervor and zeal. I love those times when I sit stunned in my “quiet time” chair and let the forgotten verses saturate my very being. What great times of love for Jesus and his word come my way in those moments.
Prayer:
Father God we stand in awe of your Word and how it speaks to us. It is too immense to comprehend all at once and we forget portions of it. Thank you that it is alive and powerful and changes us when we let the verity of it soak our souls. I pray these things in the wonderful, living and strong Name of Jesus, Amen!
dmbaldwin
Sixty-six books in a year 