I Have Found the Book of the Law

by Terry Wane Benton

"Then Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, 'I have found the book of the law in the house of the LORD." And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan who read it'" (II Kings 22:8)

How did the book become lost? The whole service should have centered around honoring God and His word. All I can figure is that the priests got entangled in worldly things and did not enjoy reading a book that condemns their actions. They probably reasoned that the book was old-fashioned and out of step with the times. The idolatry service was more fashionable and entertaining, more appealing with the visuals and pleasurable music and dances to the beat of the drums. Besides nobody was tuning in to that book, the boring readings, and those priests who can’t read very well anyway. We need a jazzier service, they thought. So the Book of the Law was placed in the back room where other pieces of junk were stored, out of sight and for years out of mind. That is how God’s book became neglected and lost.

First, people lose interest in hearing it. Second, they dismiss how important it is, and then they seek a replacement that entertains them more. This is what has happened to modern churches. This is why morality is in such decline. No one, even in churches, knows and appreciates the Book. We need to clean our temples, find the Book, and get back to reading and practicing what it teaches.

Have you lost your way? Has the whole church you attend lost the Book?