The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1917-08-18
LESSON FOR AUGUST 10
FlSplHa TIE HI BOOK OF THE LAW

t4.17), !. The occasion ". 14). 1t was
FOUND while the work Of repairing the
kemple 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
Eor the repairs. Perhaps this was in
pr near the ark, for the law was usual
y kept in or by the ark.
2. By whom ". 14). HIlkiah, the
high priest, was the finder. It is
strange that the high priest was igno-
rant Of the place where the law was
found It is a sad comment upon the
moral and spiritual condition Of priests
and kings, since they were 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 It out Of his sight.
The disappearance Of the Bible from
Dur 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 it 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 1t hath been sent.
8. It's disposition ". 16). Hllkiah
Raye the law to Shaphan the sc.ibe,
who delivered 1t to the king along with
his report as to the disposition Of the
money which had been collected.
II. The Book Of the Law Read wv.
1e, 20, 80). l. To the king " 49,.
This was a most impressive scene, the
king listening to the reading Of the
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 plous king, believing In it
as Gods Word, was anxious to know
Gods thought concerning the nation.
His interest became intense, as he was
made conscious of the apostasy Of his
people from Gods law. His chief anxi-
ETY. was to know what was Gods pur-
pose as to the nation in view Of their
idolaty. It is a sensible thing to make
oneself intelligent as to his RESPONSE
billtieS 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.
2. To the people wv. 90, S0). At the
direction of the king the priests, elders
and all the people we're called together
to hear Gods Word read. This was as
1t ever should be. People have right
to hear what God has to say to them
as well as the king. To keep the people
ignorant of the Word of the Lord is
great crime. The crying need Of the
age, with all It's boosted knowledge, fine
church equipment and cultured minis
try, Is for the Word of God to be
brought to the ears Of the people.
III. The Effect Of the Reading Of the
Law. wv. 20-2S; $3.50. When Gods
Word is intelllgently read and UNDER
stood there is bound to be an impress
sion made.
1. The king rent his clothes w. 19).
The man who will honestly listen to
the reading of Gods Word will be
brought to his knees for he will be con-
victed Of sin, and will take the place of
establishment before the Lord. The
king first saw his own sins and con-
fessed them. 1t is good sign when
tone sees his own shortcomings and
failures, and not primarily Z lose Of
others.
! 2. The king made Inquiry Of the Lord
Through Huldah heprophctg $ wv. %
2s). His supreme motive in this in
qulry was to find out WI ether there
was sSre way to avert tEr awful judg-
ments which were impq !ding, as set
forth In the Word of ODD. After all,
the human heart insi nctively turns
from threatened woe " inquire wheth-
er there is not a wayiof escape. Along
side Of the flaming, laundering Sinai
was placed the INitical system of
offerings. Law arr grace are not far
removed. The la7 becomes our school
master to bring I to Christ. Through
Huldah the M sage came that God
had taken acct mt of all their sins and
that judgme2. must fall, but Josiah
would be sp/ I'd the sight Of all Gods
visitation q wluth. The penitence Of
the king turned aside Gods wrath
from hlny3elf, but the nation would be
obliged Y, suffer for Its awful apOstasy.
! 8. I'VE irlng made q covenant Wv. 81,
S2). Eh;s was to the effect that he
would walk in the commandments of
the Lord. he also made the people
stand to this covenant. He no doubt
acted from the sincerity Of his heart.
4. Further reforms ". 9S). Josiah
now reached out as far as the national
boundaries, took away their abomlna-
tons and made Israel to serve the
Lord their God. The fact that the book
Of the law was found implies that it
had been lost. The way it had been
lost is not definitely set forth, but nu.
merous ways may be suggested. The
Bible Is lost book to many protesting
Christians today, maybe through lack
OF interest in 1t, wlllful neglect or neg
lect through the stress of llfe's busi-
ness and pleasures, May we not each
one inquire as to whether our Bibles
ara lost9 4rSs{fsE.i sjst9SaS,