II Chronicles 30:1-27
“And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel. For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month. For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem.
And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation. So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written.” (II Chronicles 30:1-5)
Hezekiah had just led Judah in a massive turning back to God, a revival if you will. After consulting with his leaders and getting the people’s approval, he invited all of Judah and Israel to come and keep the Passover at Jerusalem. Because the temple and the priests had not been ready, they had not held the Passover on the first month as God commanded, so they decided to hold it a month later, since the Law specified that those who were unable to take it at the proper time could take it the following month.
Because the temple had been closed up by Ahaz the people had not expected to celebrate the Passover as Judah had not celebrated it for at least sixteen years. Israel had not celebrated the Passover as prescribed in the Law since Jeroboam I separated from Judah, more than a hundred sixty years before.
This was about six years before the Assyrians arrested Hoshea and attacked Israel. By this time the Syrians had taken all the land belonging to Israel except what had originally belonged to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, part of the tribe of Dan, and a few outlying areas of other tribes. The Syrians had in turn been conquered by the Assyrians, so only that small region was not yet under Assyrian control.
“So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.
And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespassed against the LORD God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up to desolation, as ye see. Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.
For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.” (II Chronicles 30:6-9)
In his letters to Israel, Hezekiah reminded them that they were surrounded on three sides by the Assyrians and were paying tribute to keep Assyria from taking over. He reminded them of God’s promise to deliver them if they would serve him and begged them to make things right with God.
“So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them. Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem. Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD.” (II Chronicles 30:10-12)
The vast majority of Israel just laughed at the idea that turning to God could save their country, much like the attitude so prevalent in the united States today. A few, mostly from the outlying areas, were more aware of the threat and took Hezekiah’s advice seriously, going to Jerusalem to worship God. It would be one of the last warnings for Israel to turn back to God. About nine years later Israel was relocated and ceased to exist as a nation.
“And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation. And they arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron.” (II Chronicles 30:13-14)
God produced a unity of spirit in those who went to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Other kings had struggled to ban idolatry and nature worship. Hezekiah focused on the people getting right with God, and the people destroyed those things themselves. Laws or coercion are never as effective in changing people’s behavior as a changed attitude.
“Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD. And they stood in their place after their manner, according to the law of Moses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood, which they received of the hand of the Levites.
For there were many in the congregation that were not sanctified: therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto the LORD. For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written.” (II Chronicles 30:15-18a )
Seeing the number of people who came to celebrate the Passover and their sincerety, many of the priests and Levites got under conviction and got right with God. Many of the people, especially those from Israel, had never celebrated the Passover and had no idea they needed to get right before participating. Like most visitors to a communion service today, they partook with no understanding that they were making a mockery of what it represented by not being prepared.
"But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.” (II Chronicles 30:18b-19)
Recognizing the sin was unintentional, Hezekiah prayed for God to forgive everyone who was sincere in trying to please God even though their actions were wrong.
“And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people. And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the LORD.” (II Chronicles 30:20-21)
I John 1:9 promises, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Hezekiah acknowledged that they had sinned and God honored his request to forgive the sin, not causing them to experience the plagues he had promised for disobedience. It was a very emotional time for all.
“And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers.
And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept other seven days with gladness. For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests sanctified themselves.
So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem. Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.” (II Chronicles 30:22-27)
The people were so excited they decided to stay an extra week beyond the seven days of unleavened bread. Hezekiah and the other leaders personally donated food and sacrifices to enable them to do so. It was the first time since Solomon’s dedication of the temple there had been such a complete turning to God.
“And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel. For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month. For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem.
And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation. So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written.” (II Chronicles 30:1-5)
Hezekiah had just led Judah in a massive turning back to God, a revival if you will. After consulting with his leaders and getting the people’s approval, he invited all of Judah and Israel to come and keep the Passover at Jerusalem. Because the temple and the priests had not been ready, they had not held the Passover on the first month as God commanded, so they decided to hold it a month later, since the Law specified that those who were unable to take it at the proper time could take it the following month.
Because the temple had been closed up by Ahaz the people had not expected to celebrate the Passover as Judah had not celebrated it for at least sixteen years. Israel had not celebrated the Passover as prescribed in the Law since Jeroboam I separated from Judah, more than a hundred sixty years before.
This was about six years before the Assyrians arrested Hoshea and attacked Israel. By this time the Syrians had taken all the land belonging to Israel except what had originally belonged to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, part of the tribe of Dan, and a few outlying areas of other tribes. The Syrians had in turn been conquered by the Assyrians, so only that small region was not yet under Assyrian control.
“So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.
And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespassed against the LORD God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up to desolation, as ye see. Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.
For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.” (II Chronicles 30:6-9)
In his letters to Israel, Hezekiah reminded them that they were surrounded on three sides by the Assyrians and were paying tribute to keep Assyria from taking over. He reminded them of God’s promise to deliver them if they would serve him and begged them to make things right with God.
“So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them. Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem. Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD.” (II Chronicles 30:10-12)
The vast majority of Israel just laughed at the idea that turning to God could save their country, much like the attitude so prevalent in the united States today. A few, mostly from the outlying areas, were more aware of the threat and took Hezekiah’s advice seriously, going to Jerusalem to worship God. It would be one of the last warnings for Israel to turn back to God. About nine years later Israel was relocated and ceased to exist as a nation.
“And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation. And they arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron.” (II Chronicles 30:13-14)
God produced a unity of spirit in those who went to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. Other kings had struggled to ban idolatry and nature worship. Hezekiah focused on the people getting right with God, and the people destroyed those things themselves. Laws or coercion are never as effective in changing people’s behavior as a changed attitude.
“Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD. And they stood in their place after their manner, according to the law of Moses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood, which they received of the hand of the Levites.
For there were many in the congregation that were not sanctified: therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto the LORD. For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written.” (II Chronicles 30:15-18a )
Seeing the number of people who came to celebrate the Passover and their sincerety, many of the priests and Levites got under conviction and got right with God. Many of the people, especially those from Israel, had never celebrated the Passover and had no idea they needed to get right before participating. Like most visitors to a communion service today, they partook with no understanding that they were making a mockery of what it represented by not being prepared.
"But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.” (II Chronicles 30:18b-19)
Recognizing the sin was unintentional, Hezekiah prayed for God to forgive everyone who was sincere in trying to please God even though their actions were wrong.
“And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people. And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the LORD.” (II Chronicles 30:20-21)
I John 1:9 promises, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Hezekiah acknowledged that they had sinned and God honored his request to forgive the sin, not causing them to experience the plagues he had promised for disobedience. It was a very emotional time for all.
“And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers.
And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept other seven days with gladness. For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests sanctified themselves.
So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem. Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.” (II Chronicles 30:22-27)
The people were so excited they decided to stay an extra week beyond the seven days of unleavened bread. Hezekiah and the other leaders personally donated food and sacrifices to enable them to do so. It was the first time since Solomon’s dedication of the temple there had been such a complete turning to God.
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