The Lost Bible
Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he
reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one years. His mother was Jedidah, the daughter of
Adaiah from Bozkath. 2 He did what was pleasing in the LORD’s
sight and followed the example of his ancestor David. He did not turn aside
from doing what was right. 3 In the eighteenth year of his reign, King
Josiah sent Shaphan son of Azaliah and grandson of Meshullam, the court
secretary, to the Temple of the LORD. He told him, 4 “Go up to
Hilkiah the high priest and have him count the money the gatekeepers have
collected from the people at the LORD’s Temple. 5 Entrust this
money to the men assigned to supervise the Temple’s restoration. Then
they can use it to pay workers to repair the Temple of the LORD. 6 They
will need to hire carpenters, builders, and masons. Also have them buy the
timber and the cut stone needed to repair the Temple. 7 But there will
be no need for the construction supervisors to keep account of the money they
receive, for they are honest people.” 8 Hilkiah the high priest
said to Shaphan the court secretary, “I have found the Book of the Law in
the LORD’s Temple!” Then Hilkiah gave the scroll to Shaphan, and he
read it. 9 Shaphan returned to the king and reported, “Your
officials have given the money collected at the Temple of the LORD to the
workers and supervisors at the Temple.” 10 Shaphan also said to
the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a scroll.” So Shaphan
read it to the king.
11 ¶
When the king heard what was written in the Book of the Law, he tore his
clothes in despair. 12 Then he gave these orders to Hilkiah the priest,
Ahikam son of Shaphan, Acbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the court secretary, and
Asaiah the king’s personal adviser: 13 “Go to the Temple and
speak to the LORD for me and for the people and for all Judah. Ask him about
the words written in this scroll that has been found. The LORD’s anger is
burning against us because our ancestors have not obeyed the words in this
scroll. We have not been doing what this scroll says we must do.” 14
So Hilkiah the priest, Ahikam, Acbor, Shaphan, and Asaiah went to the newer
Mishneh section of Jerusalem to consult with the prophet Huldah. She was the
wife of Shallum son of Tikvah and grandson of Harhas, the keeper of the Temple
wardrobe. 15 She said to them, “The LORD, the God of Israel, has
spoken! Go and tell the man who sent you, 16 ‘This is what the
LORD says: I will destroy this city and its people, just as I stated in the
scroll you read. 17 For my people have abandoned me and worshiped pagan
gods, and I am very angry with them for everything they have done. My anger is
burning against this place, and it will not be quenched.’ 18
“But go to the king of Judah who sent you to seek the LORD and tell him:
‘This is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says concerning the message
you have just heard: 19 You were sorry and humbled yourself before the
LORD when you heard what I said against this city and its people, that this
land would be cursed and become desolate. You tore your clothing in despair and
wept before me in repentance. So I have indeed heard you, says the LORD. 20
I will not send the promised disaster against this city until after you have
died and been buried in peace. You will not see the disaster I am going to
bring on this place.’” So they took her message back to the king. (NLT)
1.
How much is
the Bible worth to you?
2.
David said
it was better than spoil of silver and gold. (Ps. 119:72, 127, 162)
3.
Job said it
was worth more than necessary food! (Job 23:12)
4.
We prove
what the worth of the Bible is in the way we live our lives daily.
5.
In the
period prior 2 Kings 22 the Bible must not have been worth much.
6.
Every King
of God’s people was “commanded” to have his personal copy!
15 Thou shalt in any wise
set him king over thee, whom the LORD thy God shall choose: one from among thy
brethren shalt thou set king over thee: thou mayest not set a stranger over
thee, which is not thy brother. …. 18 And it shall be, when he
sitteth upon the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write him a copy of this
law in a book out of that which is before the priests the Levites: 19
And it shall be with him, and he shall read therein all the days of his
life: that he may learn to fear the LORD his God, to keep all the words of this
law and these statutes, to do them: 20 That his heart be not
lifted up above his brethren, and that he turn not aside from the commandment,
to the right hand, or to the left: to the end that he may prolong his days in
his kingdom, he, and his children, in the midst of Israel. Deut 17:15-20 (KJV)
7.
Everything
had continued in the “House of the Lord” without it. (v. 3) (?????)
8.
Is it
possible to lose the Bible in our day? (Literally - NO, Spiritually - YES)
I want to
suggest to you at least three ways
the Bible can be lost today.
1- The Bible is Lost When
Preachers Don't Preach It.
1-
Like it or
not, preaching is God's plan! (1 Cor. 1:17-24)
Illus.
of the man who hated preachers, “If I had an idiot son, I'd make him a
preacher!” – “it is plain to see your father didn’t
share your sentiment!”
2-
God had a
Son, and He made Him a preacher!!!
3-
Preaching
the gospel is “the” plan. (Rom. 10:11-17)
4-
The
“Levites” were commanded to prepare the King in the Word of God!
5-
But, it
must be the gospel found in the Word of God! (Gal. 1:6-9)
6-
Some preach
some of it! (Pet Doctrines)
7-
We need ALL
of it, even if it hurts!!! (Develop great tasting food – good for
you?)
2- The Bible is Lost When
People Don't Study It.
1-
We are born
into the Kingdom of God by the Word of God. (1 Pet. 1:22-25)
2-
Stages of
growth by the Word…
1. Know that you are saved.
(1 Jn. 5:13)
2. A sense of weakness
keeps us from trusting own ourselves. (Mt. 5:3)
3. Recognition that the
Bible is the means of spiritual nourishment. (1 Pet. 2:1-2)
4. A decision, you cannot
remain weak and survive. We must mature!!! (Heb. 5:11- 6:3)
3-
God calls us
from, “Infancy to Infantry!” – from “Babes to
Battle!”
4-
Our growth
absolutely depends on the Word of God!
3- The Bible is Lost To
Everyone Who doesn’t Believe it Enough to Practice It.
1-
There is a
big difference between knowing and doing. (Mt. 7:13-27)
2-
I hear
people say, “He knows his Bible, but he won't go to church”.
3-
Don't be
fooled, it is one thing to know and quite another to do!!!
4-
James puts
it this way (James 1:22-25).
5-
Word is not
just to be read, but OBIED!!! (Paul – Acts 26:20)
6-
God calls
on us for the DOING!
Application:
The Bible is lost to us when it is not being taught, believed and practiced.
How
will you answer my first question, “How much…?” Too much to lose it!!!
God’s
Word and plan can be rediscovered!!! (Jude:3)
I encourage the use of this material to profit the Kingdom of God, but not to be used in for-profit resale in any form.
Please obtain the permission of the author before use of any other kind.
Email openarms@openarmsbaptist.com Web Site openarmsbaptist.com