“I have found the Book of the
Law in the house of the Lord.” So Shaphan
carried the book to the king.” (v.15)
When
Shaphan brought the book of the law to king Josiah, it didn’t look like
anything special, just an old scroll. But when the king heard the words of the
law, he realized immediately the importance of the scroll and how the nation
had already broken the covenant and stood under judgment. Tearing his robes
showed he comprehended fully the seriousness and sorrow of their sin (v. 21). What
could he do?
Josiah
recommitted himself to the Lord and renewed His holy covenant that had been
badly broken. Then led the people in a formal pledge renouncing idols and
rededicating them to the Lord. Thanks to his leadership, during his lifetime
they “did not fail to follow the Lord.” However, despite Josiah’s reforms, he
couldn’t change the nation’s heart and thereby prevent the coming disaster. He
did however delay it over the course of his lifetime.
It
was the failure to keep the old covenant that eventually led to the new
covenant, sealed by the blood of Jesus Christ. As believers, we truly live by
grace and not by works.
The
Truth
“For by
grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works,
lest anyone should boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
