“When the king heard what was written in the Book of the Law, he tore his clothes in despair” (2 Kings 22:11 NLT).
Josiah was crowned King of Judah at age eight after his father, Amon, was murdered by conspirators. Both his father and his grandfather, Manasseh, were unrighteous kings who had led the people into idolatry. Apparently, during the 55-year reign of Manasseh, the Book of the Law had been lost. How this came to be is not explained, but it was found in the Temple by the high priest when Josiah commissioned him to collect money for Temple repairs.
When the Book was brought before Josiah and read to him, he tore his clothes in repentance. After inquiring of the Lord concerning His Word, Josiah cleaned house and publicly made a covenant with the Lord to keep His commands.
According to 2 Kings 23:25, “Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the Lord with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses; nor after him did any arise like him.”
If only our nation’s leaders and its citizens would rediscover the Word of God, repent of their wicked ways and turn back to Him.
PRAYER: Dear Father, when knowledge of Your Word is lost, the people drift into terrible sin and suffering. We repent of our silence wherever we should have been speaking out. For as Your Church, we are Your prophets, always speaking forth Your Word, so that the people have no excuse. Fill our minds and our mouths with Your Word and strengthen us to speak, so that repentance and revival come to our land. In Jesus’ name, amen.