SCRIPTURE: 2 KINGS 22
THE BOOK OF LAW FOUND (vs. 1-20)
Josiah was 8 years old when he became king and he reigned in Jerusalem for 31 years. He did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
King Josiah sent his secretary Shaphan to tell Hilkiah the high priest to entrust the money collected from the temple to the men appointed to supervise the work They will pay the carpenters, builders, masons to purchase timber and stones and labor for the repair of the temple.
Then Hilkiah the high priest told Shaphan that he had found the Book of Law in the temple of the Lord. Shaphan took the book and read from it in the presence of the king. When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes and confessed that they had not acted in accordance with all that was written.
When Hezekiah the priest, Ahikam, Acor, Shapan and Asariah went to inquire from prophetess Huldah. She said to them: Judah and Jerusalem would be judged for their sins but king Josiah would not see this judgments because he had humbled himself before the Lord.
THOUGHTS:
Josiah purged away the idols and concentrated in re-establishing the true worship of Jehovah. He commanded the priests to gather the money and repair the temple. When the Law of Moses was discovered, he heard the law and knew that Judah was in great danger. He sent men to inquire of the Lord what to do. He continued to purge the land, including the defiling of “Topheth” – the valley of the Son of Hinnom where the people burned their children as sacrifices to Molech. He also restored Mount of Olives and Passover feast.
When Josiah found the Law of Moses, he tore his clothes in grief and initiated religious reform throughout the nation. Today, we have the Bible with us. Are you affected by the truths found in God’s word? Do you take action immediately to reform your life and bring it into harmony with God’s will?
God had mercy on Josiah because he showed his sincere repentance. When we repent, we should demonstrate our sincerity by changing the attitudes that produce the sinful behavior.