“When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes…’ Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord’s anger that is poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book” II Chronicles 34:19, 21.
“When the king heard the words of the Law, he tore his robes…’ Go and inquire of the Lord for me and for the remnant in Israel and Judah about what is written in this book that has been found. Great is the Lord’s anger that is poured out on us because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord; they have not acted in accordance with all that is written in this book” II Chronicles 34:19, 21.
Manasseh was king of Israel starting about 700 BC and God allowed him to rule for 55 long wicked years. He did his best to destroy Yahweh worship, and he turned to the evil gods of his day. Only when Babylon took him away to their kingdom, complete with a slave hook in his nose, did he repent and seek God – who forgave and restored him (this says something about the longsuffering nature of God).
When he died, his 22-year-old son Amon became king. For two years he followed in the pre-repentant steps of his father, until his officials couldn’t stand it, and they assassinated him. He had sired a son when he was 16 and Josiah became king at age 8. He followed the ways of God and did his best to lead the erring nation back to God.
When Josiah was 24 he undertook a refurbishing of the neglected temple and during this work Hilkiah the priest found a copy of the Torah – the first five books of the Old Testament. As it was read to Josiah, he was horrified to see how far they had fallen – he tore his robes in sorrow and shame before God – he was convicted of sin.
Last Sunday we held a ‘book club’ meeting for those of you reading through the bible in a year. It was a great and lively time as we worked through four key questions. One of the comments that popped out – as always – was how hard it is to wade through part of the Torah – particularly Leviticus and Deuteronomy. So many rules – so many ‘don’ts’.
But think of this – Josiah wasn’t reading Galatians or the book of John to be convicted of sin and turn afresh to God. He was reading Leviticus and Deuteronomy!
So here’s my little challenge to you in your quest for encounters with God. For the next while in your bible reading, join Josiah with an open mind. Choose one of the first five books of the Old Testament and study it with these four questions in mind:
-What do I learn about God’s character as I read this book?
-How do I see Jesus – or the need for Jesus – through my reading?
-How is reading this book helping me to understand the grand narrative of Scripture? How does this fit with the salvation story?
-What does my time in this book challenge me as far as my daily Christian life is concerned?
Who knows – maybe the Lord will speak to you out of these ancient laws as he did to the godly young king. Your encounter with God may come from the ‘dry’ books of the Old Testament in the vital hands of the Holy Spirit! Try it – you might like it!
Pastor Leon Throness
