Today’s reading: 2 Kings 19:14-22:20
My selection: 2 Kings 22:8-10
And Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “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. 9 And Shaphan the secretary came to the king, and reported to the king, “Your servants have emptied out the money that was found in the house and have delivered it into the hand of the workmen who have the oversight of the house of the Lord.” 10 Then Shaphan the secretary told the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read it before the king.
My reflections: During the days of the kings of Judah, the Law of God was not just ignored, it was misplaced and lost somewhere in the temple. Josiah, grandson of the infamous King Manasseh, ordered a cleanup and renovation of the temple. It sounds like he was surprised when he learned about the Book of the Law being found. Had he never heard of this book? He was more than surprised when he learned of the contents. He was shocked and terrified at what he could see was going to come upon the people for their flagrant disobedience.
Josiah’s repentance led to a delay of judgment. Indeed, a godly ruler who knows and respects the Bible can make a difference for a time. But this whole incident shows how far a nation can go from God when His Law is ignored, disobeyed, and forgotten.
There was a time in America when the Bible was a mainstay in schools and in many homes. How well known is the Bible today? It is not read in many homes and not preached in many churches. There is a saying, “he who does not read, is no better off than he who cannot”. Insert “the Bible” after the word “read” in that saying.
But there is another danger with regard to the Bible, the danger of not reading it all but merely selecting certain themes that appeal to us and ignoring the rest. We could effectively distort the Bible’s truth by believing in God’s love but ignoring His wrath, believing His grace but not His holiness, believing His immanence but ignoring His transcendence.
My challenge: Is the Bible present in your life, your home, and your church? More importantly is it in your mind every day as the absolute authority for truth and guidance? We may not be able to make the Bible a cornerstone of public education again but do make it the cornerstone of your personal life, your family life, and the constant subject in your church.
Tomorrow’s reading: 2 Kings 23:1-25:30
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