Digging Deeper – The Ancient Paths

In 2 Kings 22, we are told the story of Hilkiah the priest, who stumbles upon the long-forgotten Book of the Law during remodeling projects in the temple. King Josiah is presented with this information by his secretary, Shaphan, who deserves the understatement-of-the-year award when he tells the king, “Hilkiah the priest has given me a book.” In the scene that follows, Shaphan reads the Scriptures aloud to the king, who tears his clothes and declares, “Great is the wrath of the LORD that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not obeyed the words of this book, to do according to all that is written concerning us” (2 Kings 22:13).

This declaration precipitates Josiah’s sweeping program of reform, which included the tearing down of pagan altars, the removal of idols from the house of God, the deposition of priests who sacrificed to Baal, the reinstitution of the Passover, the renewal of the covenant, and much more. It is a quintessential “ancient paths” moment, as Josiah calls for the nation to repent and to “do according to all that is written” (v. 13).

There are other “ancient paths” moments in the New Testament as well. One that comes to mind immediately is the letter to the church in Ephesus in Revelation 2. Jesus tells the Ephesians starkly, “I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the works you did at first” (Rev. 2:4–5). These words echo the call to repentance found in the examples of Josiah and Jeremiah, which we would do well to bear in mind if we are to be truly repentant.

I remember a time when I was praying persistently for an outcome, asking God to show me what to do in a certain situation. At the time, however, there was sin in my life that I was not taking into consideration. I remember saying things like, “Just show me what to do, God, and I will do whatever you want.” Shortly thereafter, I heard a preacher say, “No, you will not, because he has already told you to do something and you are not doing it.” And it was true. I needed to go back and do the things he had already told me to do, to return to the ancient paths, to do the works I had at first.

Take a moment to reread 2 Kings 22 and to “inquire of the LORD” (v. 13). In what areas do you need to repent of action or inaction? Ask him to make reforms in your heart and to bring about an “ancient paths” moment.