McNairy County independent. (Selmer, McNairy County, Tenn.) 1902-1969, 1922-05-19

The Authority and Influence of the
Bible.
About hundred years elapsed be-
tween the reformation under Hezekiah
and that Of Josiah. Some time during
this time the book of Gods law had
been lost. Two wicked kings had
reigned In this interval. The Lord
had given Hezekiah much wealth. His
son Manasseh, coming into possession
of his fathers property, and being un-
godly, would naturally neglect the
Bible, If not purposely try to put it
from sight. Those who do not obey
the law of God, are usually interested
In putting 1t out of sight.
|. The Book of the Law Found (vv.
l4-17).
1. The Occasion ". 14). 1t was
while repairing the temple during
Josiah's reformation that the law was
discovered.
2. The Book Delivered to the King
wv. 15-1O. Upon making a report to
the king of work done, the king was
told of the finding of the book of the
law by Hilkiah, and the book delivered
to him.
II. The Effect of the Reading of the
Law wv. 1929.
Shaphan the Scribe read the law
before the king.
l. The King Rent His Clothes ". 19).
AS the law was read before him he
was led to realize more seriously the
awful extent of the nations departure
| from God. He knew that sin merited
punishment. The function of the law
is to reveal sin. The man who will
honestly hear the demands of Gods
law will fall upon his knees before
God and cry for mercy. The rending
of the royal robes indicated that the
king was penitently sorrowful
2. The King Sent Deputation to
Make Inquiry of the Lord wv. 20, Ply.
The king included himself in the guilt
before God. go inquire for me and
for them that are left, for great is
the wrath of the Lord that is poured
out upon u.s." His sense of sin was
so keen that he sent them to inquire
as to whether there was any means
of averting the judgments of the Lord.
| Instinctively the human heart turns
from Gods threatening judgments to
means of escape. The soul that
sorrows for sin inquiries for way of
escape. The law prepares for the
gospel. The law Is our schoolmaster
to bring us to Christ. The soul under
condemnation inquiries, what must
do to be saved"
3. The Message of Huldah, the
Prophecies wv. 22-28). "a Confirma-
ton of what rhe law said wv. 22-25)
She said that all the curses written
in the law must fall, for the sins
had been so fragrant that Gods wrath
could not be restrained. Destruction
was hanging over Jerusalem and ii
was too late to avert 1t. = was not
too late to repent to obtain mercy
from God, but the outward con-
sequence of sin must be realized. This
finds fulfillment on every hand today.
The murderer must hang. His soul
may go directly to heaven, provided
he has accepted Jesus Christ. (2)
Acceptance of Josiah's repentance wv.
26-2S). Because of his tenderness of
heart and deep penitence, the Lord
said he should be gathered to his
grave in peace, and should not see
all the evil to be brought on Jerusalem
and its people. What Huldah said
was true even though Josiah died in
battle (35: 23-25). When God ac-
cepts man and forgives him, his
death is a peaceful one even though
II may be on the battlefield. Gods
presence is with him and he thus will
go straight to the heavenly home.
III. The Law Obeyed wv. 29-33).
1. The King Read the Law (vv. 20,
BOZ. He gathered together the In
habtapts of Jerusalem, including the
priests, Levites and elders, and read
unto them the law.
2. The King Made a Covenant Be
fore the Lord to Keep His Command
ments and Testimonies wv. 81, 32).
This was done sincerely-with all his
heart and soul. He caused all that
We're present TO stand to it.
3. The king took away all the
denominations out of all the countries
that pertained to Israel ". 33). All
the days of the king they departed
not from following after the Lord.
Friendships of Youth.