I have found the book!

“And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it.” - 2 Kings 22v8

Josiah set about cleaning up and repairing the temple. As the workers were about their work, without needing supervision, Hilkiah came across the “book of the law.” God’s word had been so neglected, and possibly the target of specific attack, by Manassah that no one had seen it for years.

When Hilkiah found it he took it to Shaphan the scribe, which made sense because he was in charge of the books. Shaphan took the book and read it to the king. When Josiah heard it he tore his clothes in remorse and grief. Josiah realised when he heard the word because he saw how fall the nation had fallen. God’s word had a great impact on its hearer.

How does God’s word impact us today? Have we become so used to the word of God that we simply let it roll over us without having any impact. The word of God is still alive, and powerful, and sharper than a two-edged sword. It is able to divide souls and spirit and joints and marrow. When God’s word reveals sin in our lives do we have the kind of remorse that Josiah had? The power of God’s word is no less. May God make us as sensitive to His word as Josiah was.