Found!

2 Kings 22:8 NIV: “I have found the Book of the Law in the house of the LORD!” 

This week, I came across this nugget while preparing for a Bible Study I lead. If you aren’t familiar with 2nd Kings, it recounts the history of a divided Israel as both the Northern and Southern Kingdoms are led by a series of honorable and evil rulers.

Chapter 22 depicts the reign of Josiah, who became King at the age of 8, after his father, Amon, and Grandfather, Manasseh, led Judah through some dark days. And by dark, I mean Manasseh put up Asherah poles and Baal altars inside the Holy Temple, practiced sorcery, and encouraged the practice of male prostitutes for worship. He even sacrificed one of his sons to the foreign God Molech.

When Josiah was 18, he decided it was time to restore his nation’s relationship with Jehovah God. He initiated a massive clean-up and restoration of the temple. As the work began, the High Priest happened to find the Book of the Law. Most scholars believe this was likely the Book of Deuteronomy, which contains the core teachings of the Jewish people’s covenant with God.

The assumption is that this foundational writing had been lost and forgotten for at least 50 years. Can you imagine what it would be like if there were no access to the Bible in any form or for anyone for 50 years? Even when we think we “remember”, when we aren’t engaged in the Word or participating in practices grounded in that Word, over time, culture encroaches and changes everything. As evidence, the time the book was lost was one of the darkest periods in the history of Judah.

Josiah had the book of Law read to him, undoubtedly hearing it for the first time in his life, and immediately was crushed to realize how far his country had fallen from their covenant. You’ll have to read the chapter to find out what happens.

Let’s bring this story into our lives today. What could the Book of Law symbolize in your life? What foundational or important practices, wisdom, or relationships have you forgotten about and “lost”? Like Josiah, we often won’t stumble upon something until we intentionally decide to start repairing our “temples.” Time to clear away the distractions, habits, and priorities that have clouded what really matters, and see what you might find!