Deuteronomy - Edited, With an Introduction and Notes #268664

IT is not an exaggeration to say that no work of litera ture which has ever appeared has produced a greater sensation than the Boo/e of Deuteronomy. Every one knows the romantic episode of its first appearance in his tory a discovery, or a rescue from oblivion which would be the equivalent of a discovery. King Josiah with youthful fervour is meditating a repair of the temple; the treasury is cleared out, and in it is found 'a book.' Whether this was Deuteronomy itself, or a larger roll including it, we have no means of determining; but it was certainly the contents of Deuteronomy which produced the effect that followed this discovery. The book was read before the king; he rent his clothes as he listened; a thrill of horror went through the nation at the denuncia tions of woe against idolatry coming to light when the idolatry was fully established in the land. There ensues the most sudden reformation movement in all history. First there is the great gathering in the temple, all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and the priests, and the prophets, and all the people, both.