The Lost Book

The Story

Josiah became king of Judah when he was only eight years old. The kings before him, his father and grandfather, had filled the land with idols and led the people far from God. But young Josiah had a heart that wanted to do what was right.

When he was about twenty-six, Josiah ordered repairs on the neglected temple. While the workers were cleaning things out, the high priest Hilkiah found something remarkable: the Book of the Law, God’s Word, which had been lost and forgotten.

The scribe Shaphan brought it to the king and read it aloud. As Josiah heard what God had commanded, and saw how far his people had drifted, he tore his robes in grief. He sent messengers to ask the prophetess Huldah what it meant. Her answer: judgment would come on the nation, but because Josiah’s heart was tender and he had humbled himself, it would not come in his lifetime.

Josiah didn’t stop at grief. He gathered everyone, from the least to the greatest, and read the entire book to them. Then he made a covenant before the Lord to follow Him with all his heart and soul. He tore down the idols throughout the land and led the nation in celebrating the Passover like it hadn’t been celebrated in centuries.

Reflection