Recovering the Law

Amy Carmichael became a Christian at age 15. A few years later, she began a Sunday school for girls who worked in the mills of Belfast; it soon grew so large that a new hall was built that seated 500 people. She became best known for her missionary work in India, especially her efforts to rescue girls from temple prostitution. She remained in India even after she was bedridden, and the books she wrote during this period have encouraged and inspired generations of Christians. India outlawed temple prostitution three years before Amy Carmichael died.

King Josiah sought the Lord in his youth and described the spiritual blessings that came to the people as a result of his leadership. Like Amy Carmichael, he was still a teenager when he turned his heart to the Lord, and he followed that commitment with action to root out the idolatry that had plagued the land (vv. 2–7).

Ten years later, Josiah presided over an effort to restore and rebuild the temple. He ensured that finances were raised and workmen were organized and the priests and Levites were provided for. But nothing prepared him for the discovery of the Book of the Law, which had apparently been lost and utterly forgotten (vv. 8–15).

When Josiah heard the word of Scripture, he realized that Israel and Judah had broken the covenant with God and deserved the full measure of His judgment (vv. 19–21). In response, he led the people in repentance, prayer, and a renewed commitment “to follow the Lord and keep his commands, statutes and decrees with all his heart and all his soul, and to obey the words of the covenant written in this book” (v. 31). God promised to delay His coming judgment until after the death of Josiah.

Pray with Us

Remember Moody Radio in your prayers, mentioning specifically the Program Production team. Ask God to bless the efforts of Amy Rios, Christopher Segard, Joel Swan, and Joseph Carlson. May their diligent efforts produce content that honors God!

BY Dr. Eric C. Redmond

Dr. Eric C. Redmond serves as a professor of Bible at Moody Bible Institute in Chicago and as associate pastor of adult ministries at Calvary Memorial Church in Oak Park, Ill. He is married to Pam and they have five children. He is the author of Say It!  Celebrating Expository Preaching in the African American Tradition (Moody Publishers), Where Are All the Brothers? Straight Answers to Men's’ Questions about the Church (Crossway), a commentary on Jonah in the Christ-Centered Exposition Series (B&H Publishers), and a study guide on Ephesians in the Knowing the Bible series (Crossway).