The Arvada enterprise., 1917-08-16
LESSON FOR AUGUST 1e
FINDING THE BOOK OF THE LAW

LESSON TENTH Chronicles 24:1l-3.
GOLDEN TEXT will not forget thy
word.-Psa. 1876.
I. Tho Book Of the Law Found wv.
14-17, 1. The occasion ". 14). 1t was
found while the work Of repairing the
temple was going on. At what part In
the temple we do not know; perhaps
In the treasure house, for 1t was found
while bringing out the money to pay
for the repairs. Perhaps this was In
or near the ark, for the law was usual
ly kept in or by the ark.
2. BY whom ". 14). Hllkiah, the
high priest. was the finder. 1t Is
strange that the high priest was igno.
rant of the place where the law was
found. 1t Is sad comment upon the
moral and spiritual condition of priests
aud kings, since they We're appointed
guardians of Gods law. 1t is, however,
always true that when one does not
want to have his life ordered by the
Bible he will put 1t out OF his sight.
The disappearance Of the Bible from
our homes. and the neglect OF 1t In our
study, is a certain sign of evil In our
lives. Be assured, however, that
though the law of the Lord be removed
from our sight 1t shall sooner or later
come before us TO Judge us. God has
declared that his Word shall not return
unto him void. but shall accomplish that
whereunto It hath been sent
3. Its disposition ". 16). Hilklah
gave the law to Shaphan the scribe.
who delivered II to the king along with
his report as to the disposition Of the
money which had been collected.
u. The Book Of the Law Read (vv.
18. 20. 3O). l. To the king ". 1S).
This was n most impressive scene, the
king listening to the reading Of tho
law OF God. 1t was the proper thing
to do, for those appointed by God to
rule over the people should be anxious
to know the will OF God concerning
them. The pious king, believing In 1t
as Gods Word, was anxious to know
Gods thought concerning the nation.
His Interest became intense. as he was
made conscious Of the apostnsy OF his
people from Gods law. His chief anxl-
SNs was W nuoW "uuN was NOu nuI-
pose rs to the nation In view Of their
idOlatry. 1t Is sensible thing to make
oneself intelligent MS to his rcspOnsl-
bllities, even to know what Judgments
shall befall those who have turned
from God. One should know the worst
while there is time yet to escape his
wrath. for repentance Is the only door
of escape from perdition.
.. To the people wv. 20, 3O). At the
direction OF the king the priests, elders
and all the people were called together
to hear Gods Word read. This was as
it ever should be. People have n right
to hear what God has to say to them
us well as the king. To keep the people
ignorant OF the Word OF the Lord IL Il
great crime. The crying need Of the
age. with all Its boasted knowledge, fine
church equipment and cultured minis
try, IL for the Word OF God to be
brought to the ears OF the people.
~. The Effect Of the Reading Of the
Law. wv. 20-2s; 3l-33). When Gods
Word Is intelllgently read and under
stood there Is bound to be an Impress
sion made.
1. The king rent his clothes ". 19).
The man who will honestly listen to
the reading Of Gods Word will bs
brought to his knees. for he will be con-
victed Of sin, and will take the place OF
reimbursement before the Lord. The
king first saw his own sins and con-
fesscd them. II Is n good sign when
one sees his own shortcomings md
failures, and not primarily those OF
others.
2. The king made inquiry OF the Lord
through Huldnh the prophecies wv. 90.
2S). His supreme motive In this In
Quiry wns to find out whether there
was sJrle way TO avert the awful judg.
ments which were impending, ms set
forth In the Word OF God. After ali,
the human heart instlnctlvely turns
from threatened woe to inquire wheth-
cr there Is not way OF escape. Along.
side OF the flaming, laundering Sinnl
was placed the Lcvlticnl system OF
offerings. LAW and grace are not far
removed. The law becomes our school
mnstcr to bring us tn Christ. Through
Huldnh the mcssnge came thnt God
had taken account of all their sins and
TINT Judgment must fail, but Josiah
would be spared the sight OF all Gods
visitation OF wrath. The pcnitcncc Of
| the king turned inside Gods wrath
from himself, but the nation would be
obliged 10 suffer for it, awful npostnsy.
3. The king mndc n covenant wv. 81.
32). This Was 10 the erect That he
would wink In the commandments OF
the Lord. He also made the p"op,r
stand to this covenant. He no doubt
acted from the sincerity Of his hcnr,.
4. Further reforms ". 33). Josiah
now reached out ns far ns the NATIONAL
boundaries. took nwny their abomlnn.
tions nnd made Israel to serve the
Lord their God. The fnct that the book
Of the law was found implies TINT It
had been lost The way It hnd been
lost IL not definitely set forth but nu.
merous why's mny be suggested. Tho
Bible Is lost book to many protesting
Christians today. maybe through lack
~ g., f., 10 ,,glliYpl pnutnpt nr unv.