We continue our journey through the history of Solomon’s Temple and all the kings who ruled Israel.
So, picking up from yesterday, after Manasseh, his son Amon took the throne.
But his reign was as short-lived as a New Year’s resolution.
Amon was soon murdered by his own servants.
We’re not really given a lot of detail as to why.
Ancient Near Eastern courts were always full of a bunch of palace conspiracies.
Amon may have lost the support of key officials or military leaders who wanted someone else on the throne.
Anyway, onward.
After Amon, his son Josiah took the throne, and from the Lord’s perspective, this lad bore much good fruit.
And the homie was young.
He started his reign at the age of 8, and then from the age of 16, he began to seek after the Lord’s will
Let’s cross-reference with 2nd Chronicles to see some of the good works he accomplished.
“Josiah became king at only eight years old.
He reigned in Jerusalem thirty-one faithful years.
He did what pleased the Lord always.
He followed the ways of his ancestor David.
He never turned right or left astray.
During his eighth year as king, still young,
He began seeking the God of David.
In his twelfth year, reforms truly began.
He cleansed Judah and Jerusalem from idolatry.
High places were completely torn down everywhere.
Asherah poles were destroyed without mercy.
Idols were smashed into countless tiny pieces.
Baal altars were demolished under his command.
Incense altars were chopped into fragments.
Idol dust covered the worshipers’ graves below.
The priests’ bones were burned on altars.
Thus Judah and Jerusalem were purified again.
He traveled through Manasseh, Ephraim, and Simeon.
He continued as far as Naphtali’s territory.
Even ruined towns received his attention.
Altars were torn down throughout the land.
Asherah poles were completely cut apart.
Idols were crushed into fine powder everywhere.
Every incense altar throughout Israel was destroyed.
Then Josiah returned again to Jerusalem.”
-2 Chronicles 34:1
Now, during this time of inspiring restoration, an amazing discovery was made.
The High Priest Hilkiah discovered the Book of the Law among the debris.
When I say the “Book of the Law,” I ain’t talking about all five Books of Moses.
In that era, the “Book of the Law” was the book we call Deuteronomy today.
No doubt Hilkiah found the book in the Holy Place because only High Priests were allowed in that area.
What probably happened was that when the Ark was removed years earlier to save it from being defiled by King Manessah, this Deuteronomy scroll was overlooked and left behind.
Remember, the Book of the Law was placed outside the Ark, NOT inside with the stone tablets that had the Ten Commandments engraved on them.
So it wouldn’t have traveled with the Ark when it went into hiding.
Let’s stop here and switch over to the takeaway.
Today’s lesson is connected to the detail that the Book of the Law was placed right next to the Ark, which was the holiest object in all of Israel.
Heck, come to think about it.
The Ark wasn’t just the holiest object in all of Israel.
It was the holiest object in the whole freakin’ universe!!!
Ya feeling me here?!
And the Book of the Law was placed right next to it!
What does that tell you about the Book of the Law?
What does that tell you about the Lord’s commandments?
And the importance of observing them?
Ya see what I’m getting at here?
I think I made my point.
See ya all next time.
CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT
“Do not think I came to abolish the Law.
I came to fulfill, not abolish it.
Whoever relaxes the least command, teaches likewise,
Will be called least in heaven’s kingdom.
Whoever practices and teaches these commands faithfully,
Will be called great in heaven’s kingdom.“
—Matthew 5:17–19
“Not everyone saying, ‘Lord, Lord,” enters heaven.
Only those doing my Father’s will enter.”
—Matthew 7:21
“If you want to enter eternal life,
Keep the commandments.”
—Matthew 19:16–17
“If you love me, keep my commandments.“
—John 14:15
“Whoever keeps my commandments truly loves me.”
—John 14:21
“Keep my commandments and remain in my love.
Just as I kept my Father’s commandments.“
—John 15:10
“The hearers aren’t justified before God alone.
The doers of the Law are justified.“
—Romans 2:13
“Do we overthrow the Law through faith?
Absolutely not—we uphold the Law instead.“
—Romans 3:31
“Love fulfills the Law by keeping commandments.
Love does no wrong to neighbors.”
—Romans 13:8–10
Circumcision means nothing,
uncircumcision means nothing.
Keeping God’s commandments is what matters.”
—1 Corinthians 7:19
“Be doers of the word always.
Not hearers who deceive themselves only.”
—James 1:22
“Keep the royal law found in Scripture.
Break one command, guilty of all.
Speak and act by freedom’s perfect law.”
—James 2:8–12
“We know Him by keeping commandments.
Who claims otherwise is not truthful.”
—1 John 2:3–4
“We receive because we keep commandments.
And do what pleases Him always.”
—1 John 3:22–24
“This is love for God indeed.
That we keep His commandments faithfully.
His commandments are not burdensome.”
—1 John 5:2–3
“The dragon pursued God’s faithful people.
They keep God’s commandments and Yeshua’s testimony.“
—Revelation 12:17
“Here is the saints’ patient endurance.
They keep God’s commandments and Yeshua’s faith.“
—Revelation 14:12
“Blessed are those doing His commandments.
They receive access to the tree of life.
They enter through the city’s gates.”
—Revelation 22:14
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