Infectious Faith
6th November 2009
Hezekiah hit the ground running in 2 CHRONICLES Ch 29. He open the temple, consecrated the priests, sacrificed for sins, worshiped God, the people made sacrifices and they all celebrated because of the speed in which all this had taken place. In Ch 30 it was time to celebrate the Passover.
- The Passover was supposed to be celebrated in the first month, but everyone agreed to do it in the second month because "the plan seemed right" (v 4). Being led by the Spirit supersedes the Law. (But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. GALATIANS 5 v 18).
- Hezekiah sent letters to everyone! There were no restrictions on who was welcome. Christianity is for all. Jesus did the same thing when he died to take away the sin of the world (JOHN 1 v 29).
- Hezekiah's message was to return to the Lord. His anger would subside and His blessing return if the people repented.
- Most didn't appreciate the message, but a few people humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem to join the large crowd (v 13)
- In v 21 the writer refers to the people as the Israelities again. It was like they had reclaimed their identity as God's people once more.
- The Passover was such a great party that the people decided to keep celebrating for another whole week! (v 23)
Hezekiah knew how to throw a party, but he also understood the need to be right with God first. Of particular interest is that Ch 31 begins with the people returning to their homes, but on the way they destroyed all the false gods and idols. The standard had been raised and the righteousness was spreading. It must have been some party!