2 Chronicles 34:14
“And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the Lord, Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the Lord given by Moses.”
This verse is part of the account of King Josiah’s reign in Judah. Josiah became king at a young age and sought to bring about spiritual reform in the kingdom. He initiated a restoration process that included repairing the temple of the Lord, which had fallen into disrepair and had been neglected.
In this particular verse, we see that as the funds were being brought into the house of the Lord for the purpose of repairing the temple, Hilkiah the priest stumbled upon a significant discovery. He found a book of the law of the Lord, which was given by Moses. This book likely refers to the scroll containing the words of the Law of Moses, which would include the first five books of the Old Testament (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy).
The discovery of this book had profound implications. It served as a reminder of God’s instructions and commandments, which had been neglected and forgotten over time. The people had strayed from the path of righteousness, and the rediscovery of the book of the law presented an opportunity for repentance, renewal, and obedience.
This finding had a profound impact on King Josiah. He recognized the significance of the book and realised that the nation had transgressed against the Lord’s commands. In response, he initiated a comprehensive reform throughout Judah. King Josiah purged the land of idols, altars, and other objects associated with false worship. He reinstated the observance of the Passover and other religious practices prescribed in the book of the law.
The discovery of the book of the law underscores the importance of God’s Word in the life of His people. It emphasises the significance of knowing and obeying the commandments and instructions found within the Scriptures. The book of the law served as a catalyst for spiritual revival and a turning back to God for the people of Judah during the time of Josiah.
