2 Kings 22:8
“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.”
Context:The verse is part of the account of King Josiah’s reign in Judah. During his reign, the temple in Jerusalem was being repaired, and in the process, the high priest Hilkiah discovered the book of the law, which had been lost or neglected. This discovery had a profound impact on King Josiah and the spiritual revival that followed.
Importance of the Book of the Law:The book of the law referred to here is believed to be the book of Deuteronomy, or at least a significant portion of it. The book of the law contained the divine instructions given by God to Moses for the Israelites. It outlined God’s commandments, statutes, and ordinances, and provided guidance for the Israelites’ worship, social interactions, and overall way of life. The book of the law served as the foundation of Israel’s covenant with God and was meant to guide their relationship with Him.
Rediscovery of the Book:The fact that the book of the law was found in the house of the Lord, the temple, indicates how it had been neglected or forgotten. It is unclear how or why it was lost, but its rediscovery was a significant event. The finding of the book shows that there was a disregard for God’s Word during that time, and it highlights the spiritual condition of the nation.
Hilkiah’s Reaction:Hilkiah, the high priest, upon finding the book of the law, recognized its significance. He understood the importance of the Word of God and its role in guiding the people’s lives. His immediate response was to give the book to Shaphan, the scribe, so that it could be read and understood.
Reading of the Book:Shaphan, the scribe, read the book of the law aloud to King Josiah and shared its content with him. This reading had a profound impact on the king. As Josiah listened to the words of the law, he realized the extent to which the people had deviated from God’s commandments. The reading of the book acted as a catalyst for Josiah’s subsequent actions to reform the nation and bring about spiritual revival.
