One lesson from this life that “did not turn aside to the right or the left” from doing “what was right in the eyes of the Lord” is that action followed Josiah’s seeking the Lord. Action to get rid of what had lured the people away from God, destroying and defiling in such a way that it was not easily coming back. Then replacing it with worship of God, God’s way. That distinguished him from other kings of Judah who had promoted the worship of pagan gods in various ways. Turning to the Lord with all one’s heart and with all one’s soul and with all one’s might takes a visible form. Is it visible in your life?
Can you imagine the Book of the Law being lost in the Temple? That speaks descriptively of what shape the Temple was in and how faithfully it was being used to worship God. Further, that book was lost so long that it was unknown to those who found it; it was “a book.” Think about that: the God-given Law by which this people was supposed to live had been lost so long that they no longer missed it. Further yet, when they wanted to know what God thought, the people holding the offices of spiritual leadership were unable to inquire of Him. Can you imagine how it would be, not to be able to expect an answer from God in your deeply felt need? This is our reminder of how precious gifts to us God’s word and Holy Spirit are.