2 Chronicles 30 (cont)
16 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. 17 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. 18 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. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one 19 [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
When Hezekiah’s letters reached the northern tribes many mocked and turned away but others humbled themselves and came down willingly. Not everyone will be excited about what God is doing in your life. There will be those that you absolutely presume would delight to stand with you that will reject and disdain and marginalize what you claim God is saying and doing in your life. Hezekiah did not respond to these insults. Other kings before him would have mounts an invasion but instead Hezekiah focused on those that had repentance and willing hearts and the plan of God was advanced.
With all the different people’s converging upon Jerusalem to take the Passover there was some confusion. As a result there were many who inadvertently took the Passover without first being made ceremonially clean by the appropriate protocols. At this point many may have put their foot down and mired the celebration in legalistic demands of ritual purity. Hezekiah would have none of it. While being careful not to encroach on the priest’s office he declares that God will certainly pardon those who inadvertently took of the Passover without first carrying out the prescribed ritual.
There will be times that people will come into your life to connect with what God is doing. They will not all be in a good place spiritually nor will they understand the things of God as you do. Remember that the main thing has to stay the main thing. Mercy rejoices over judgment. Keep walking in love. Be willing to overlook religious nuance in order to achieve spiritual objectives. This was Hezekiah’s heart and God accepted his efforts and pardoned the people.
20 And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people. 21 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. 22 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. 23 And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept [other] seven days with gladness.
24 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. 25 And all the congregation of Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced. 26 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. 27 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.
Here is an example of the gift of healing working among the people in an Old Testament setting. The pardon of God is accompanied by sickness and disease being removed from their midst. The feast is conducted for seven days and then continues because there were more worshippers than could be accommodated in the traditional timeframe. There is rejoicing and singing and music. There are teachers of the Levites instructing the people for they will soon return to the north and there was no way of knowing when they would get the chance again to minister to them.
There was joy in the city of Jerusalem unparalleled since Solomon’s time. For us this is an Old Testament perspective on what revival and renewal looks like. The status quo of dead religion and old rivalries are set aside. Preparing is made that began in the previous chapter with the people sanctifying themselves and cleansing the temple. The sacrifices were reconstituted and the nation is changed. What a wonderful example and hope for us to look past the seeming impossible spiritual decline that is gripping our nation and look for a better day that God is certainly capable of bringing about as we humble ourselves and yield ourselves to Him.
