“Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in the temple of the LORD.” He gave it to Shaphan, who read it.
Then Shaphan the secretary went to the king and reported to him: “Your officials have paid out the money that was in the temple of the LORD and have entrusted it to the workers and supervisors at the temple.”
Then Shaphan the secretary informed the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” And Shaphan read from it in the presence of the king.
When the king heard the words of the Book of the Law, he tore his robes.
He gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam son of Shaphan, Akbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the secretary and Asaiah the king’s attendant:
“Go and inquire of the LORD for me and for the people and for all Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the LORD’s anger that burns against us because those who have gone before us have not obeyed the words of this book; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written there concerning us.” (2 Kings 22:8-13)
In the 18th year of King Josiah in Judah, Hilkiah the high priest found the Book of the Law and gave it to Shaphan, the secretary. Shaphan read the book, and then took it to the king. Once he told the king of the discovery, the king told him to read the book aloud. When King Josiah heard the words of the Book of the Law he tore his clothes.
Please notice these points about the Book of the Law:
- They FOUND
- They READ
- They REPENTED.
The Book of the Law was just a portion of the entire Bible we have today. In other words, they found the Bible, just not completed. Even though it was not completed, it was all they needed at that time. God provided what they needed, as He has provided His word to us today.
Concluding that the Book of the Law was in fact the Bible, even though it was only part of what we have today, let us look at this from our standpoint. They found the Bible. They read it and they repented. That is the true path to repentance resulting in real revival.
Why doesn’t that work for us today? We don’t have to look for the Bible. Unlike Judah of King Josiah’s day, there are plenty of Bibles available today to any and all. The problem is they BELIEVED the Book of the Law was God’s word and they BELIEVED what God said, but we DO NOT BELIEVE IT. (I say “We” in speaking of those it applies to, and that would be most.)
Their belief resulted in their repenting. This is exactly why we are not experiencing revival today, regardless of what comes from our mouth. If we really and truly believe what the Bible says, we would not acquiesce to all the satanic garbage that has been shoved down our throats by the Devil’s children. There would be more than just a few here and there standing up for righteous living.
King Josiah was willing to see himself as God saw him; i.e. a vile sinner. He was willing to believe the word of God and change his way of living. As the leader of the nation of Judah, his people followed him in true repentance before God.
Satan is blinding the eyes of those without Jesus Christ in their lives. Being a Christian is not a religion of do’s and don’ts, but a Christian wants to be obedient to God. No Christian is perfect, but we desire to live for Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to lead us. However, Satan takes this and causes those who are lost to see his vileness has a better way. This is nothing new. He began this tactic with Eve by causing her to doubt the veracity (truth) of God.
Why won’t people soften their hearts and believe God? This also includes some Christians. “Christians! You say?” Yes, even Christians. There is one reason so many are not ready for revival and here it is. They are not ready to give up that sin they love so much.
The Bible is Truth because it is God’s book. He wrote it via many secretaries. It is what the God of Heaven and earth has to say to all mankind. As said by others, “History is His story.” The Bible cuts no corners. It cuts deep with a sharp edge and tells the truth with a level of accuracy that can only come from God himself.
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
Oh yeah, we know where a Bible is that we could read if we really wanted to. The problem is we don’t want to read it, because it would open up old sores that we forgot about. It would remind us that our deeds are a sin against God, no matter how much societal approval we receive. It would reveal that we are just as rotten as God says. Even though He says He will forgive, it isn’t forgiveness we seek. It is approval, and approval will not be found in His word. Every secret thing we think is hidden is known by God, and He actually tells us so.
“Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.” (Hebrews 4:13)
God has never said “No” to anyone who has come to Him, putting their faith in His Son, and asking forgiveness. He has never said “No” to any of His own children (Christians) who come to Him asking forgiveness for their sins. He is always willing to forgive, but I repeat, there are so many who don’t want forgiveness. They want His approval. Let’s get it straight, God is never going to put His stamp of approval on a life that is contrary to His own words.
If you and I are living in sin, we need to do as King Josiah. We need to repent. Every time Judah had a king that turned to God’s Word, they repented and God blessed them.
They found the Word. They read the Word. They repented. We have the Word. We are not reading the Word. We will not repent until we do. Even then, we will never repent until we BELIEVE the Word and act upon it.
Grant Phillips
Email: Phillip5769@twc.com
Pre-Rapture Commentary: http://grant-phillips.blogspot.com
Rapture Ready: https://www.raptureready.com/featured/phillips/phillips.html