“Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “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.” (II Kings 22:8, NKJV)
Have you ever lost something valuable? Perhaps it was an important legal paper. Or possibly a sentimental piece that had been in the family for years. When we realize something is missing, we usually begin a frantic search. We look in all the usual and logical places. Then, if it’s still lost, we begin searching in every imaginable place, even if it seems crazy to look there. Sometimes the item is never found, or we may stumble across it by accident much later.
The sad thing about the story in II Kings 22 is that the lost item was never missed. The people just forgot about it. No one noticed or seemed to care. There was no frantic search. Years later it was found by accident. What was this lost but valuable item? The written Word of God.
MOSES’ FINAL INSTRUCTIONS
At the end of his life, Moses, the man God used to lead His people out of Egyptian slavery, gave his final instructions to Joshua. At set times, the Word (the Law) was to be publicly read to the people of Israel. Deuteronomy 31:12-13 tells us:
“Gather the people together, men and women and little ones, and the stranger who is within your gates, that they may hear and that they may learn to fear the LORD your God and carefully observe all the words of this law, and that their children, who have not known it, may hear and learn to fear the LORD your God as long as you live in the land which you cross the Jordan to possess.” (NKJV)
Unfortunately, this reading of the Law was not carried out as Moses had instructed. As a result, the nation followed after false gods and suffered for that decision.
The nation of Israel had a very up and down history. After Solomon’ death, the nation divided. The northern kingdom was called Israel, and the southern kingdom was called Judah. All of Israel’s kings were wicked and led the people into idolatry. Along the way, true worship and obedience to the Law were lost. Although Judah had a few good kings, their history was also spotted. Sometimes they followed the Lord; sometimes they did not. Both nations suffered because they forsook God’s law.
FOUND
A few of Judah’s kings were good men who tried to follow God’s Word and lead the nation to serve Him also. Now Josiah, whose father and grandfather had been ungodly men, desired to lead Judah back to God. He gave instructions for the priests to bring in workmen to repair the house of the Lord. It was there, lost among the dust and dirt of past years, that the Book of the Law was discovered. It had been missing in the most obvious place—in their house of worship.
WE NEED THE WORD
Psalm 19:7-8 sums up the value of God’s Word in our lives.
“The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple; the precepts of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.” (ESV)
God’s Word is so vital in our lives today. It’s not just our guideline; it’s our lifeline. Without the Word to guide us, we will easily lose our way. Cherish the Word. Hold it close and never leave it behind in the dust as the people of Judah did.
Devotion by Mary Loudermilk
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