The High Priest Found the Book of the Law When They Cleaned the Temple
As the priest worked on restoring the temple, he stumbled on the Book of the Law. They had misplaced it. They had lost the Bible. Though their religious practices as prescribed in the Book of the Law continued in some manner, they didn’t have the original document it was based on.
King Josiah
This happened when Josiah was king. He began his reign when he was eight years old and ruled for 31 years. The Bible says he did right in God’s eyes. It was during the eighteenth year of his reign that the priest found the Bible.
Josiah’s father was Amon. He, however, did evil in God’s eyes and only reigned two years. His officials conspired against him and assassinated him.
Josiah’s grandfather was Manasseh. He had a long reign of 55 years. He also did evil in the eyes of the Lord.
Josiah’s great grandfather was Hezekiah. He reigned for 29 years. He did what was right in God’s eyes, just like his ancestor, King David.
When did things go wrong? When did they lose the Bible?
Though they could have lost the Bible during the neglectful reigns of Kings Amon and Manasseh, it could have gone back much further. How long had the nation’s religious practices relied on the memory of what the Book of the Law contained, without the written document to guide them?
Having lost the Bible, these people became untethered from the foundation of their faith. It’s no wonder that Josiah’s father and grandfather strayed so far from God’s intention and did evil.
Have We Lost the Bible Today?
Though copies of the Bible abound today, I wonder how well we do in using it as the foundation to guide our faith. If we want a relationship with the God who is revealed in the Bible, we need to follow what the Bible says.
Many followers of Jesus continue to use the Bible as their source to anchor their faith, to keep them tethered to the Almighty who we find disclosed in Scripture.
Yet other adherents have decoupled their religious practices from the Word of God. They reject what it says—either fully or in part—judging it to be out of touch and irrelevant today.
At best they read the Bible as if holding a pair of scissors in their hand, cutting out the parts they don’t like or disagree with. They have lost the Bible.
Reclaim the Bible as the Word of God
If we want to live a life that truly matters, one that brings us into right relationship with the God of the Bible and guides us to better connect with others in our world, we need to acknowledge the Bible as the written word of God. We need to find the Bible.
To reclaim the Bible means to read it, study it, and meditate on what it says. It means to believe it. This includes all of it—whether we agree with it or not. Doing anything less means drifting away from God and pursuing a faith that’s untethered from any firm foundation.
For those who have lost the Bible, it’s time to take it back.
[Read through the Bible with us this year. Today’s reading is 2 Kings 20-22 and today’s post is on 2 Kings 22:8-11.]
Peter DeHaan writes about biblical Christianity to confront status quo religion and live a life that matters. He seeks a fresh approach to following Jesus through the lens of Scripture, without the baggage of made-up traditions and meaningless practices.
Read more in his books, blog, and weekly email updates.
Bogged Down Reading the Bible?
Get the Bible Reading Tip Sheet: “10 Tips to Turn Bible Reading from Drudgery to Delight.”
Enter your info and receive the free Bible Reading Tip Sheet and be added to Peter’s email list.