IT GOT LOST IN THE TEMPLE: THE STORY OF THE BIBLE

There is always an increasing desire among people, especially the youth, to satisfy their curiosities about some lost books of the Bible. Many videos and articles have been written about some lost books of the Bible. Sorry to disappoint you if you are one of such people. There no lost books of the Bible which we must now hunt for but that which we have now as scriptures is from the inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Tim 3:16-17). This topic is not about lost books of the Bible but a very dynamic lesson which I have dubbed: It got lost in the temple: the story of the Bible.

Now, something happened during the reign of Josiah 2 Chron 34. Josiah became king at the age of eight. At age 20 he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem of idolatry. In the course of this restoration, Hilkiah the high priest found the book of the law written by Moses (14).

On the recovery of this book,"some think this “book of the law” was only the book of Deuteronomy, and some say it is only some part of the Torah; However, many others think it is the whole Pentateuch, and that not a copy of it, but the very autograph of Moses, written with his own hand, as it seems from 2 Chronicles 34:14".

I believe also that it is the entire law of Moses. Again, some Bible students think that a godly high priest hid the book of the law during the reign of Ahaz or Manasseh, to prevent the book from being destroyed . Some people also think this book of the law was lost and missing; misplaced and abandoned, as some throw their Bibles into their rooms and do not keep it well . It was no marvel that the people were so corrupt, when the book of the law was so scarce. Whiles renovating the temple, the book of the law was found, and brought to the king. This was yet another evidence of God's providential care for the Bible, protecting it and handing it down to generations.

. "It was the temple copy, which had been laid (De 31:25, 26) beside the ark in the most holy place. During the ungodly reigns of Manasseh and Amon—or perhaps under Ahaz, when the temple itself had been profaned by idols, and the ark also (2Ch 35:3) removed from its site; it was somehow lost, and was now found again during the repair of the temple" another commentator observed.

But, the inscrutable question is how the book of the law got missing in the temple. I think the temple should have been where the book of the law can commonly be found.

The only answer i found which best fits our puzzling question is the the apostasy enjoyed by the nation of Israel about seventy years after Hezekiah's restoration. When they went into apostasy, they lost the word of God.

Though we have plentitude of Bibles, yet the Bible is as lost to us, just as it was to them.

Yes! The Bible is missing. 

How else would you have me convince you, when a nation that was founded on Christian values (such as the United States of America) would now be forced to permit wicked acts like abortion, homosexuality, transgenderism etc?(Rom 1:22 Professing to be wise, they became fools).How come the Bible cannot be taught freely in public schools without infringing on another person's right? ( The message is offensive to them Gal 5:11).

If the Bible were not missing, how come a country like Ghana which we claim is a Christian nation would be full of murdering of innocent people by some evil workers, cutting corners, sexual assault, violation of authority and other people's rights, manipulation, secret and daylight robbery, corruption; abnormal profits, hatred, profane talk, obscene videos on social media, hypocrisy, partisan politics, unfair treatment of others, acts which fuel factions, drunkenness, culture of insults, indecent dressing, promiscuity, gossip and among others? 

Remember! righteousness exalts a nation,

But sin is a reproach to any people (Prov 14:34).

During the reign of king Manasseh when the Book of the Law got missing, this was what happened: "But he did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to the abominations of the nations whom the Lord had cast out before the children of Israel. 3 For he rebuilt the high places which Hezekiah his father had broken down; he raised up altars for the Baals, and made wooden images; and he worshiped all the host of heaven and served them. 4 He also built altars in the house of the Lord, of which the Lord had said, “In Jerusalem shall My name be forever.” 5 And he built altars for all the host of heaven in the two courts of the house of the Lord. 6 Also he caused his sons to pass through the fire in the Valley of the Son of Hinnom; he practiced soothsaying, used witchcraft and sorcery, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger. 7 He even set a carved image, the idol which he had made, in the house of God" ( 2 Chron 33:2-7).

Thus, it is clear that just as the Book of the Law was lost to the nation Israel, so the Bible is missing in countries like Ghana and others who are deemed 'Christian nations'. 

Let's now turn to the denominational world where most believe they are the more 'spiritual' as far as Christianity is concerned- which is not true anyway. Let me repeat my question: how come the book of the Law got misplaced in the temple? 

In most of these denominations, the sale of anointing oils and other items is a way of making money. Yet, followers are often deceived that such practices are communicated to the 'pastor' or man of God by God. Rom 16:17-18

Worship is no more based on a " thus sayeth the lord" rather based on what members and church leadership think. Things are done in a way to keep members. And that's why most cannot speak against immodest dressing of youth that throng their auditoriums every Sunday. Church growth is no more about effective preaching of the gospel but some quick fixes that would help the church do what will please members.

The rest who claim to hold on to the scriptures also mishandle them, and only practise parts of scriptures that are favourable to them and reject the rest( meanwhile all His commandments are truth and righteousness Psa 119:151,172.

If all the points highlighted above do not give you the reason to believe that the Bible is missing, then what else would? 

Now to you my brethren in the lord's Church, you all together are the temple of God and your bodies individually are the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3:17, 6:19, 2 Cor 6:16). Nonetheless, the Bible is missing in you, the temple of God. Why is it that we are less enthusiastic about Bible studies and discussions now than before. ?Why is that most of us could no more memorize verses of scriptures than before? Why is it that daily Bible reading and devotions are not ongoing in our houses ?

What could this be if not the missing of the Book of the Law in the temple of God, which we are.

"For great is the wrath of the Lord that is poured out on us, because our fathers have not kept the word of the Lord, to do according to all that is written in this book.”(2 Chron 34:21)

We are are not different from the people of Israel now. Unless we change our ways and restore the book of the law back into our temples. For a genuine restoration to take place we need to first turn to what the Book says. Josiah did so by inquiring of the Lord from the prophetess Huldah (2 Chron 34:21). Let us allow the effect which the reading of the book of the law had on the heart of Josiah so that we may humble ourselves and go before God.

As we strive to repair the temples and seek and restore the missing 'Word' in our hearts, our churches, our communities and in our country, let us remember this:

“For this commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. 12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 14 But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it (Deut 30:11-14). May God bless you as you do so. Amen.