Read 2 Kings 21
Highlights:
Evil reigns of Manasseh and Amon; Josiah’s good reign; Book of the Law discovered; true worship restored; idolatry destroyed
Go ye, enquire of the LORD for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us (2 Kings 22:13).
Josiah was a righteous king. The Book of the law had been found. Josiah, upon seeing its words, knew the Nation had not been following the Word of God. This disturbed him greatly.
He called upon the priests and godly men to pray and search the truth from God's Word. He knew some of those that had come before had not cared to follow the laws of God. He wanted to make sure the people of Judah knew what was right and what was wrong so they could avoid the judgment of God. But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and there is no respect of persons (Col. 3:25).
Society today is much like it was in the time of Josiah. Many find the Word of God to be of the greatest importance. Others could care less about God's instruction for their lives or the lives of their family for that matter.
Even in some churches today, the Word of God is being laid aside in favor of self-help materials. Thank God there are still many who know that the Bible is God's road map to us. It is His instruction book to live our lives in a way that is pleasing to Him. Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Tim. 2:15).
The importance of the Word of God in our lives should never be downplayed. We need only to look to Josiah's time, when the Book of the Law of God was not being used, to find out what happens to those who disregard it. They had built idols and turned to worshipping false gods from the heathen nations around them. It would be easy to say that becoming lax concerning your study of the Bible would not put you in this shape. It did not happen to them overnight either. Over a period of time, the lack of God's Word in our lives will open us up to the attack of the devil. Study the Word of God and apply it to your life daily.
But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed (James 1:25).
Thought for Today:
Like the church of Laodicea, many churches are comfortable with their programs but are destitute of the Word of God.
Christ Portrayed:
By the prophets (2 Kin. 21:10). God, who . . . spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son (Heb. 1:1-2).
Word Studies:
21:6 observed times, and used enchantments, and dealt with familiar spirits, practiced witchcraft, fortune-telling, devil worship, black magic; 21:12 ears shall tingle, will be astonished with horror; 23:17 title, monument, grave marker.
Prayer Suggestion: Ask the Lord to give you mercy and compassion for others (Jude 1:21-22).
Optional Reading: Romans 12
Memory Verse for the Week: Psalms 119:18
