Today's lesson comes from 2 Chronicles 30: 2-10. The Passover was a very important festival in the Jewish economy. The Jews were commanded by God to observe the Passover at the start of each year. Hezekiah's cleansing the temple and renewing the Passover were significant events in the spiritual restoration of Judah. One focus of today's study is the steps Hezekiah took to bring Judah back to the worship of God. Another focus is the invitation which Hezekiah sent to the people of the northern kingdom. Remember, Hezekiah was the king of the southern kingdom known as Judah. The northern kingdom were the separated brethren, yet Hezekiah reaches out to them to celebrate the Passover with him.
The kingdom of Judah had begun to deteriorate in the latter reign of Uzziah, the great-grandfather of Hezekiah. It grew rapidly worse under Ahaz, the father of Hezekiah. The prophet Isaiah warned, rebuked, threatened and urged Ahaz to return to the Lord, all in vain. Hezekiah bad father. God gives everyone a free will to enable them turn from evil and choose God. Hezekiah reigned twenty-nine years and is considered one of the three righteous kings, the other two being David and Josiah.
The first thing Hezekiah did to effect a revival was to cleanse the temple. Repairs were made. The temple of men's hearts and the temple of the church are defiled by all sinful habits and customs, by errors of doctrine, by worldliness of spirit, by lusts of the flesh, by selfish ambitions, and by sins of every kind. Christ's first work in redeeming the soul is to cleanse away the rubbish of sin that has collected on the outside. Then, He will cleanse the inner sanctuary.
The first section is "A Passover to Be Kept." vv. 1-5 It was necessary that the people should know that there was to be a renewal of the great religious festivals, because they had been neglected for a long time. So Hezekiah sent a notice to all Israel and Judah. He was inviting the northern and southern kingdoms to worship together. Hezekiah had taken counsel. It is always wise to seek the counsel of other godly people. In fact, it is wise to take counsel with many to see things from different points of view. The proclamation was made from Beersheba, the most southern town in Judah, to Dan, the northern boundary of Israel.
The second section is "An Invitation Sent." vv. 6-9 The people of the northern kingdom were warned to "turn again unto the LORD." Their misfortunes had risen from forsaking God and His service. If they would return to God, then He "will return the remnant of you, that are escaped." Some of the tribes of Israel had been taken captive and the Assyrians had overrun the country several times. The proclamation was sent with letters from the king and they contained a warning: "Now be ye not stiff-necked, as your fathers were...." It also contained a directive, "Yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary." If they would, there was a promise that they would return again into the land.
The third section is "The People Respond." vv. 10-13 There were two reactions:
1. "But they laughed them to scorn, and mocked them." They threw away their only hope. Three years after this invitation was rejected, Israel's city Samaria was the subject of a great siege and it ended in the destruction of the northern kingdom. They would not turn that they might be saved.
2. "Nevertheless, divers...humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem." Many people did respond to the invitation. Five of the northern tribes were represented. It probably was humiliating for them to leave their country and travel to the southern kingdom to worship. They probably suffered scorn and ridicule from their neighbors. In the same way, we are to carry the invitation of the gospel message to every person possible. Some may reject our message, but there will be some that will accept. We don't know who will accept or reject, so our duty is to preach to all.
The final section is "The Passover Held." The next month a great Passover feast was held for fourteen days with a large number of sacrifices and gladness. During this time, the people were instructed in the ways of the LORD. There had been many years since this had been done. King Hezekiah set an example for the people in giving a portion of his wealth for the support of the priests and temple sacrifices. Immediately after the great Passover, the people went through the country destroying idols and idolatry in every form. In the same way, the destruction of all idols of the heart is one of the sure marks of a true revival. Hezekiah even broke in pieces the brazen serpent which Moses had made in the wilderness. There was great religious zeal for the LORD. In addition, there was a great improvement in the morals of the people. They obeyed the commandments, gave liberally, and had great joy in God's service.The enemies of Judah were defeated. The Philistines were driven out of the country and the yoke of Assyria broken. Great prosperity followed. In the same way, when we have a real revival, you will see the same repentance from sin, the sanctification of believers, liberal giving and great joy among the people.
The Golden Text is: "As for me and my house, we will serve the LORD." (Joshua 24:15) Three points about this text:
1. First, Joshua decides for himself;
2. Second, Joshua decides for his house; and
3. He resolves to do this regardless of whatever others do.
Have you made this proclamation for you and your house? Are you ready to press on in God regardless of what others may say or do? Make the decision today like Joshua did!
My summary points:
1. Your circumstances do not make you good or bad, it is your own choices.
2. It is our duty to take the gospel message to all in our pathway of life.
3. We need real revival and when we have it, you will see the results.
Next week, we begin the new quarter studying the book of Romans. Contact me to obtain your free study materials.
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