“Keep The Word
Of The LORD”
While they were bringing out the money
that had been brought into the house of the LORD, the priest Hilkiah found the book of the law of the LORD given through
Moses. Hilkiah said to the secretary Shaphan, “I have found the book of the law in the house of
the LORD”; and Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan. Shaphan brought the book
to the king, and further reported to the king, “All that was committed to your
servants they are doing. They have emptied out the money that was found in the
house of the LORD and have delivered it into the hand of the overseers and the
workers.” The secretary Shaphan informed the king,
“The priest Hilkiah has given me a book.” Shaphan then read it aloud to the king.
When the king heard the words of the
law he tore his clothes. Then the king commanded Hilkiah,
Ahikam son of Shaphan, Abdon son of Micah, the secretary Shaphan,
and the king’s servant Asaiah: “Go, inquire of the
LORD for me and for those who are left in Israel and in Judah, concerning the
words of the book that has been found; for the wrath of the LORD that is poured
out on us is great, because our ancestors did not keep the word of the LORD, to
act in accordance with all that is written in this book.”
In the Old Testament, we read of
Judah’s epidemic of idolatry and its accompanying moral sickness. When the Word
of God was rediscovered, King Josiah acted quickly. He understood that his
forbears had not obeyed the Word of God. He understood the Scripture’s
preventative cure for moral sickness. He began to apply its spiritual truths,
and soon a revival swept the land that restored the nation’s spiritual health.
When we neglect the reading of God’s
Word, we invite spiritual illness. Be sure to set aside time to absorb its
life-giving message.
The Bible is
God’s prescription for the health of our soul.
Our Daily
Bread – September 24, 2007