A Lost Book

There was a new king in town and he was eight years old. He would reign in Judah for thirty-one years and he died in battle with a Pharaoh of Egypt. 2 Kings 22:2 states, And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the way of David his father, and turned not aside to the right hand or to the left. (You can find this again in 2 Chronicles 34:8)

When he turned eighteen, he sent Shaphan to the High Priest, Hilkiah, to inquire about paying the workers that are repairing the damages to the house of God. The keeper of the doors had been collecting money for the “doers of the work”. Hilkiah tells Shaphan that while the restoration of the temple has been going on, he found a book that the king should see. Shaphan gives it to the king and King Josiah tells him to read it to him. When he heard the words of the law read, he tore his clothes. Then, the king sends people to see Huldah the prophetess who lived in Jerusalem. Her husband was the keeper of the wardrobe.

She explains to them that the book is true and that God will bring evil upon this place and upon the inhabitants because “they have forsaken me, and burned incense unto other gods, that they might provoke me to anger with all the works of their hands; therefore my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched.” She also gives them a message for the king-because he had tore his clothes, wept and humbled himself-that he wouldn’t see this wrath in his time. He will be gathered to his grave in peace. Chapter 23 will tell you how he received the news and what actions he took.

Always when I read about the “book” found in the temple, I ask myself questions. How long was it lost? Hezekiah probably knew about the book but his son Manasseh was evil and he reigned fifty-five years; his son Amon ruled two years and he was evil. Josiah discovers it at the age of eighteen. It was probably tossed in a pile, moved about over the years and disappeared from sight.

In homes across America, there are “Bibles” that are just lying around gathering dust. Where is yours? Are you using it to grow closer to God? If not, it is never too late to start. Brush it off and spend time in God’s Word today. Don’t let “His Book” be lost in your house.