“Now when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the LORD, Hilkiah the priest found the Book of the Law of the LORD given by Moses. Then Hilkiah answered and 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… Thus it happened, when the king heard the words of the Law, that he tore his clothes.”
2 Chronicles 34:14-15, 19

Josiah became king at a very young age and during a very dark time. But we learn from verse 2 that “he did not turn aside to the right hand or to the left.” He was very balanced and did not go to one extreme or the other. Josiah was confronted with division, confusion, and every kind of evil work. But during the darkest days, what brought revival back to the land was the light of God’s Word.

The Book of the Law was found. It had been neglected, forgotten, and lost in the temple. Perhaps some considered it an ancient relic that was out of date. Perhaps this was how it was misplaced in the house of the Lord. According to the commands given to Joshua, this Book was not to depart from their mouths. They were to study it and submit to it, and they would be strong because of the power that comes when it is obeyed (Josh. 1:7-9).

Every new king, “when he sits on the throne of his kingdom,” was to “write for himself a copy of this law in a book, from the one before the priests, the Levites” (Deut. 17:18). But this had been neglected for some time.

You and I live in a society that has, in many ways, neglected the Word of God. The Bible is seen as an out-of-date religious relic that no longer applies to where we live. But the very neglect of it helps explain why our cities, our nation, and our world are in the condition they are in. Many professing believers today have neglected the Word of God. Often, the Bible is explained away, watered down, or simply looked upon as not applicable to our world.

But Paul would remind us that “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work” (2 Tim. 3:16-17).

Anchor For Today:
We need to be like Jeremiah, who said, “Your words were found, and I ate them, and Your word was to me the joy and rejoicing of my heart; for I am called by Your name, O LORD God of hosts” (Jer. 15:16).