Wednesday: The Book of the Law
The renovation of the sanctuary, long the center of Israelite worship, was important, but renovation of a building wasn’t all that was needed. The most beautiful and elaborate structure, though designed to help worshipers sense something of the power and grandeur of the Lord, in and of itself isn’t enough to evoke piety among the people.
Josiah discovers the law. Image © Educational Concepts from GoodSalt.com
History is replete with the sad stories of people who one minute were worshiping
in some beautiful church somewhere, and the next minute were walking out and committing an atrocity, which was perhaps even instigated by what they learned inside that beautiful structure.
What happened during the renovation of the temple? What is the powerful significance of Josiah’s reaction to those events? 2 Kings 22:8-11.
They found the Book of the Law.
The Bible doesn’t specify which of Moses’ writings were found. It was probably found buried in the walls somewhere in the temple.
Read 2 Kings 22:12-20. What was Huldah’s message from God to the people and to King Josiah? What should these words say to us?
Huldah transmitted the same message Jeremiah had already prophesied several times. The people who had turned away from God had dug their own grave through their deeds, and they were going to reap the consequences. Josiah never would see the trouble and die in peace.
Through Huldah the Lord sent Josiah word that Jerusalem’s ruin could not be averted. Even should the people now humble themselves before God, they could not escape their punishment. So long had their senses been deadened by wrongdoing that, if judgment should not come upon them, they would soon return to the same sinful course. ‘Tell the man that sent you to me,’ the prophetess declared, ‘Thus saith the Lord, Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, and upon the inhabitants thereof, even all the words of the book which the king of Judah hath read: because they have forsaken Me, and have 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.’ Verses 15-17.
-Ellen G. White, Prophets and Kings, p. 399.
(21)
How is that Huldah prophesied concerning King Josiah, “Behold therefore, I will gather you unto your fathers, and you shall be gathered into your grave in peace; and your eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place. And they brought the king word again?” (2 Kings 22:20). Josiah died in battle (2 Chronicles 35:20-24).
This was not the planned ending for the man who from his youth set his heart to please the Lord and honor the Creator. Josiah was a repairer of the breach, the restorer of the Law of God to its proper place, including reverence for the Creator’s Holy Day (2 Kings 22:8-11; 2 Kings 23:1-8; Isaiah 58:12-13).
However in a weak moment of self-assurance he trusted his instincts above the word of God. The king of Egypt, Necho, cooperating with Jehovah tried to save the Lord’s instrument of reform, but Josiah, the otherwise wise king erred and ran ahead of God, so that Huldah’s conditional prophecy was only partially fulfilled. Had Josiah honored the word of God through the ambassadors of Necho the end would have been different.
God has promised His end time remnant much, but they must remain distrustful of self and determined to follow the testimony and counsels of the Lord, or they may not claim the promises. Trust and obey for it is the only way to stand at the end (Revelation 14:1).
Punishment is a sure result of sin. Yes many times we escape our punishment due to forgiveness and a timely change of ways. However in the case of Israel it was sure. However, due to Josiah actions, the punishment was "postponed". We can break the cycle of sin handed down to us by generations. Yes we can! We can fight to be the people God wants us to be.
In this study we see the principle of James 4:8 demonstrated when the power of God's word brings a response of faith. God was preparing a remnant who would be His Witnesses in the events that would follow during the captivity.
The list of faithful souls seems very short at this time in the history of God's people, but through faith, they can accomplish much as we see in Daniel 1-6, and also through Ezekiel's life and testimony.
This was the launch of the work that would help prepare these faithful witnesses of God, and I believe such a work is going on today as well for those who like Josiah humble themselves before the One who alone can save.
We note that the book of the Law was found at the right time. It seems this book of the law was lost or missing. Perhaps it was carelessly mislaid and neglected, thrown into a corner (as some throw their Bibles after Sabbath), by those that knew not the value of it, and forgotten there; or it was maliciously concealed by some of the idolatrous kings, in hopes it would never see the light again. Whoever were the instruments of its preservation, we ought to acknowledge the hand of God in it being found at the time when it was accepted.
The discovery of the book of the Law and the message from Huldah the prophetess had an impact on Josiah . The hearing of God's word did a spiritual work in King Josiah. It was not merely the transmission of information; the hearing of God's word had an impact of spiritual power on Josiah. The book exceedingly changed Josiah’s life for what is in God’s Scripture must always have a change in the soul. It led him to make sweeping changes as it was a spiritual awakening. And as he enquired of the Lord through Huldah the prophetess, he received the message that the nation was going to fall.
It was a great instance of God's favor, and a token for good to Josiah and his people that the book of the law was thus seasonably brought to light, to direct and quicken that blessed reformation which Josiah had begun. It is a sign that God has mercy in store for a people when he magnifies his law among them and makes that honorable, and furnishes them with means for the increase of scripture-knowledge. The translating of the scriptures was the glory, strength, and joy of the Reformation. It is observable that as they were repairing the temple, they found the book of the law. Those that do their duty according to God's direction shall have their knowledge increased. To him that hath shall be given. The book of the law was found at this time for the people really needed guidance as they undertook the repair of the temple as written by Moses Duet 31:24.
Brothers, what course shall we take to turn away God's wrath and prevent the judgments which our sins have deserved. Convictions of sin and wrath should put us upon this enquiry, what shall we do to be saved?
If you will thus enquire, enquire quickly, before it be too late. For us to have knowledge we have to enquire. Hosea 4:6 -My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, ……
Pamela, I like to think this book of the law was hidden in a safe place by a faithful servant of God, preserving it for a more favorable time when once again the people might turn to the LORD.
Also, "all scripture is...for reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness...", and with Josiah it had the intended effect, as when first given to Moses. It will have this affect on all who study to show themselves approved unto God.
Yes, a very timely and vital example for today.
In the same way that God put Josiah to sleep so that he would not witness the calamity that would come to the nation, He will put His faithful servants to sleep in the days of trouble that is about to come on the world. God is ever working on behalf of His faithful children