God's Word is powerful. King Josiah experienced the power of God's law. The generation who stood before Moses heard the law of God. It demanded action and obedience. What is our reaction to God's Word?
Key
Verses:
Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV)
“For as the rain
and the snow come down from heaven
and do
not return there but water the earth, making
it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to
the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall
not return to me empty,
but it shall accomplish
that which I purpose, and shall succeed
in the thing for which I sent it.
Isaiah 55:11 Amplified Bible
So shall My word be that goes forth out of My
mouth: it shall not return to Me void [without producing any effect, useless],
but it shall accomplish that which I please and purpose, and it shall
prosper in the thing for which I sent it.
Hebrews
4:12 (ESV)
For the word of God is living and active, sharper
than any two-edged
sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of
marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
(cuts both ways and cuts deep)
Hebrews 4:12 Amplified Bible
For the Word that God speaks is alive and full
of power [making it active, operative, energizing, and effective]; it is
sharper than any two-edged sword, penetrating
to the dividing line of the breath of life (soul) and [the immortal] spirit,
and of joints and marrow [of the deepest parts of our nature], exposing and
sifting and analyzing and judging the very thoughts and purposes
of the heart.
The Word of God is like rain and snow, seed and bread,
sword and scalpel.
It is precipitation, provision. It is practical,
productive, purposeful, powerful, precise, and painfully alive. God has
promised nourishment and surgical procedure; supplies for the journey and a
weapon for the victory. His Word will accomplish the purpose for which He sends
it.
King Josiah*
*John Thweatt, pastor of First Baptist Church Pell City, says
Josiah was a man who lived out the Shema. FBC Pell City
Ø Josiah’s daddy was Amon…he was wicked.
Ø Josiah was 8 years old when he became king.
Ø 16 years old, Josiah began to seek the LORD of “his father David.”
Ø 20 years old, Josiah began to purge the land of idolatry.
Ø 26 years old, Josiah began to repair the temple.
2 Kings 22:8 “I have found the Book of the
Law in the house of the LORD.”
Ø The Book of the Law is Deuteronomy.
Ø They read it. They react.
Ø What is Josiah's reaction to hearing the Book of the Law?
Ø What was it that caused Josiah to react in such a way?
Deuteronomy 31:24-29 “Moses had finished writing the words of this law…”
Deuteronomy 12-26 “These are the statutes and rules…”
(Chapters 12-26 are considered the "legal corpus" of this legal document we call Deuteronomy.)
Ø Neglected the rules and statutes.
Ø Rebellion against the law of God.
Ø Involved in pagan worship and idolatry.
A phrase that must have terrified Josiah, "you shall purge the evil from your midst." He would've heard it over and over... Can you imagine his dismay!
Deuteronomy 13:5 “…shall be put to death… So you shall purge the evil from your midst.”
(1. Rules and regulations for
living) This is intense!!!!
12:29-32 (idolatry)
15:1-18 (year of release)
16:1 (the Passover and the Feasts)
17 (rules for the king)
21:22-23 (hanged on a tree is
cursed)
22:22 (sexual immorality)
23:3 (Moabite)
23:7-8 WOW!!!! This fascinates me...
23:9 (encamped against your enemies)
(2. Rules for worship)
The Book of the Law gives instructions for:
Ø A different way to worship.
o
Different from other religions.
o
Different from their own wilderness worship.
Ø A different place to worship.
Deuteronomy 11:1-7, 29-32
“…you shall not worship
the LORD your God in that way.”
I think for most of us, we cringe at the intensity and "harshness" of God's law. We don't "like" this part of God or we question His character for some reason because we perceive His judgement as overly harsh or unreasonable. We must remember and recognize that God is holy. His law has purpose...to make His people a holy, set apart nation; but also, to show even us that we cannot live up to His holy standards on our own effort.
Also, we must remember that God is revealing Himself to us gradually...much like parenting...
God is a very patient parent. He is very
deliberate in His instructions. Don’t be afraid of God’s law!!! He is gradually
revealing Himself.
Ø Baby, fully dependent upon parent. Strict boundaries. Food is milk.
Ø Small children, still dependent but can walk. Food is cheerios.
Ø Tweens, more freedom, independence, big people food! J
Ø Teenagers, freedom and responsibility, suffering consequences.
Ø Adulthood, handles the big things. Understanding the rules and seeking the relationship.
The Bible is set up much the same way in God
revealing His whole Self to us...in doses, if you will.
Application and thoughts to consider:
Ø Josiah came face to face with his own sin
and the sin of his Nation.
Ø His reaction demonstrated: That he was sorry, repentant. He recognized the disobedience of his kingdom and the generations before him. He recognized
the importance of the moment. He didn’t hesitate to inquire of the LORD, to seek God's face, to know of God's plan.
Ø James 1:22-25 The word of God
is a mirror
Ø What is your reaction when you read God's Word? How do you respond to your sin being exposed??? When was the last time you really
got sick of your sin? Physically sick?
And when was the last time you really got
fired up about the Holiness of God? Radical example: Nehemiah (13:25a) This is serious! Nehemiah is fired up...
I'm not suggesting we should pull out our hair or anyone else's hair!!! However, I am suggesting that Nehemiah had a better grasp of the seriousness of God's Law; particularly compared to my often complacent response.
Week #2 Homework
1.
Each day this week, spend time
meditating on Isaiah 55:10-11 and Hebrews 4:12
Isaiah 55:10-11 (ESV)
“For as the rain and the snow come down from
heaven
and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and
sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty,
but it shall
accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.
Hebrews
4:12 (ESV)
For the word of God is living and active, sharper
than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of
joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
2.
During this week, find at least two more passages
that refer to God’s Word as something that is useful or purposeful; analogy or
word picture.
3.
How much time do you spend in God’s Word each
day/each week?
Ø How does it compare to the time you spend on “other things”?
Ø Do you need to spend more time in the Bible?
Ø What are you “getting” right now from your Bible study time?
Ø What are some helpful tools or guides you use to enhance your time in
God’s Word?
4.
What was the last significant thing God pointed
out to you through His Word?
5.
What is your favorite Bible verse? Why?
This week, look into God’s Word like a mirror.
Ask God to reveal Himself to you and to also reveal sin and other areas of need
in your life. Try to think to a time when you were moved, stirred, and changed
as a result of your quiet Bible study time between just you and God. Seek God’s
face in His Word this week. Ask for a tangible reminder of His Holy Presence.
May God richly bless you this week through His
Word.
I (April) am so
grateful you’ve gotten through week #2.
Know you are loved and prayed for…but more than
that,
God desires to be close to you. He longs for YOU
and me to know Him.
We will know him through His Word. Don’t neglect
this great gift.
Get after it this week!!!
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