“I Have Found the Book” - II Kings 22:8

In II Kings 22, Josiah is the king of the southern kingdom of Israel. The northern tribes, because of their wickedness, have already been carried away into captivity. The southern kingdom had two very evil kings prior to Josiah’s reign. These two kings have placed idol worship in the temple that Solomon built and led the nation to the wrath of God. But Josiah had a heart for God, and began the work of repairing the temple and restoring godly worship. Those who were responsible for doing the work stumbled upon a book in the

rubble. This book was God’s book, and when they began to read it, they learned how horrible their sin was, and that God’s wrath was surely coming. When this book was read before the king, it became a book like no other book.

1. It was a convicting book, vs 11, “he rent his clothes”. He knew he was guilty.

2. It was a consuming book, vs 13, “go inquire of the Lord for me”. He wanted to know how to make this right with God.

3. It was a condemning book, vs 17, “my wrath shall be kindled against this place, and shall not be quenched”. He too, even a king, would face the unthinkable wrath of God.

4. It was a book that caused the king to confess his sin, vs 19, “thine heart was tender, thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, hast rent thy clothes, and wept before me”. His brokenness over sin is the stepping stone to the blessedness of the Savior.

5. It was a comforting book, vs 20, “thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace”.

I too have found this Book to be a special Book. Through this Book, I was convicted of sin, had a great concern to be delivered, and found that I was under condemnation. But when I confessed my sin and believed on God’s Son for my justification, this Book became a comforting Book. I too will one day die, but like Josiah, I will be gathered with other believers, go to the grave in peace, and not see the evil that will come to this world (vs 20).