Hello beloved of God,
Today, let’s delve into the words of King Josiah as he seeks confirmation on the words he read from the book of the law:
“Go, inquire of Yahweh for me and the people and all Judah, concerning the words of this book that has been found, for great is the wrath of Yahweh which is set aflame against us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us.”
2 Kings 22:13
The beginning of the chapter introduces us to the kind of king Josiah would be:
“He did what was right in the sight of Yahweh and walked in all the ways of his father David, not turning aside to the right or to the left.”
2 Kings 22:2
This was evident from his reaction upon hearing the content of the book of the law:
“When the king heard the words of the book of the law, he tore his clothes.”
2 Kings 22:11
Tearing his clothes was a sign of profound anguish, especially upon realizing how far the people had strayed.Before Josiah, both Manasseh and Amnon did evil in the sight of God, provoking His anger. The people had become desensitized to sin.
“He built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of Yahweh. He even made his son pass through the fire, practiced soothsaying and interpreted omens, and dealt with mediums and spiritists. He did much that was evil in the sight of Yahweh provoking Him to anger.”
2 Kings 21:5-6
Before the discovery of the book of the law, the people had become numb to sin. Sin blinds us to its severity.
Thankfully, there’s an antidote: exposure to God’s law. Being exposed to the word of God and living out the truths that are in it awakens us to the reality of the dread if sin. This is what the apostle Paul meant when he says that “I would have not known sin except through the Law”
“What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! Rather, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law. For I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, ‘You shall not covet.’”
Romans 7:7
God’s law pierces our hearts and removes the numbness, replacing it with sensitivity to obey God.
This is what happened to Josiah. After hearing the book of the law, he faced the severity of the people’s actions and responded with humility and hatred towards sin, evident in his efforts to rid Judah of idols.Submitting to God’s word brings rewards:
“Because your heart was soft and you humbled yourself before Yahweh… I truly have heard you. Therefore, behold, I will gather you to your fathers, and you will be gathered to your grave in peace, so your eyes will not see all the evil which I will bring on this place.”
2 Kings 22:19-20
Key takeaways:
- Sin, when allowed to rule over our hearts, numbs us to the profound truths of God’s Word. The more we yield to sin, the more desensitized we become to its severe implications in our lives. It’s a gradual process that blinds us to the dangers and consequences of our actions, leading us further away from God’s truth and righteousness.
- Revival from this state of numbness can only come through the transformative power of God’s Word. No human effort or endeavor can adequately awaken us to the depths of our spiritual depravity. Only through consistent exposure to the truths embedded in God’s Word can we awaken from our spiritual slumber and recognize the gravity of our sinful condition.
- The response to exposure to God’s Word is profound and evident. As God’s Word penetrates our hearts, it illuminates the darkness within and reveals the true nature of sin. This revelation should evoke a deep sense of conviction and repentance, leading us to renounce all forms of evil and embrace righteousness wholeheartedly. It’s a transformation marked by a genuine hatred for sin and a fervent desire to live in obedience to God’s commands.
By immersing ourselves in the timeless truths of God’s Word, we equip ourselves to discern and resist the subtle allure of sin that seeks to entangle and ensnare us. It’s a continual journey of spiritual growth and renewal, guided by the illuminating light of God’s eternal Word.
Let’s make all efforts to expose ourselves to the truths of God’s word so as to stay in a place to full awareness of all the sin that’s creeping into our lives, for it is the Holy Spirit in us who works in us to draw us closer to God and consequently away from sin.
I pray this word blesses you,Blessings, Paul.
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