The Forgotten Book –
Some things can spark a memory that takes us back to a forgotten time and place. Scents, photographs, songs, the pages or cover of a beloved book we haven’t seen in years can all spark memories. I’ve been surprised by a photograph a time or two, having completely forgotten an event or who was there until the photo reminds me. Scents, like pine needles warmed by the sun take me back to childhood summers, camping with friends and family.
One of the books that my granny read to me when I was little sits proudly amongst my book collection. Whenever I have cracked open the cover and looked through the powerful pages of memory, I then am a child sitting next to her, hearing her voice read to me.
The book of 2 Kings in the Bible tells the story of when The Book of the Law/The Book of the Covenant (God’s Word) was rediscovered after having been lost for some time.
Repairs were being made in the House of God when the Book was discovered. It was brought to King Josiah.
King Josiah became king when he was eight years old! It had been almost 75 years since the reign of King Hezekiah (who trusted God). The two kings who ruled between Hezekiah and Josiah did much wicked in their time. It is no wonder the Book of the Law had been lost, forgotten.
Were copies hidden in order to preserve them during the times of the wicked rulers? Maybe that was how it came to be lost, in the effort to protect it. Or maybe it was carelessly tossed aside. I don’t know, but it is clear the incredible power this Book contained.
King Josiah tore his clothing in grief and repentance when he heard the words of the Book read. His heart ripped open over the nation’s sin of forgetting God – of living for themselves and worshipping other gods.
Had King Josiah ever heard the word? Was it familiar to him at all?
He lived and ruled in a kingdom that had completely lost their way without the Word of God.
He gathered the people to hear the Book read aloud. It had been powerful to his own heart, one can imagine how he wished it would affect the hearts of others in the same way.
I wonder if the Book read aloud sounded absurd to some as they had veered so far from it. How many trembled when they heard how far they were from God’s ways? Were there those present who, like Josiah, were moved to follow God from that point? Was there a vague familiarity for some still alive who hadn’t heard it in decades? Taking them back to the days of King Hezekiah when God’s displayed His power in mighty ways?
King Josiah didn’t stop at the hearing, he was forever changed by the power of the Word of God.
Though the practice of evil was accepted, celebrated in that day, he did all he could to lead the way back to God.
The Lord had a word for King Josiah: Because his heart was tender, and because he humbled himself before the Lord he would be go to his grave in peace. God had heard him (2 Kings 22:19, 20).
God’s heart is that every single soul would turn and live. Turn from our own ways, to Him, for eternal life.
For the world around us the Bible has become more and more irrelevant. But like in Josiah’s day, we need His Word in order to stay on course; without it we will surely lose our way.
“God’s word is alive and powerful! It is sharper than any double-edged sword. His word can cut through our spirits and souls and through our joints and marrow, until it discovers the desires and thoughts of our hearts.” Hebrews 4:12
There is a constant battle of the heart: to live for oneself or to live for Him.
Our hearts will lead us astray if we follow our own desires, but His Word is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. May He place in each of us a deep love for His word and may we hide it in our hearts for dear life.
I would love to hear from you.