2nd Chronicles 29
RECOVERY!! What a difference between a father and his son! The question naturally arises, "What made the difference?" The wife of Ahaz was a godly woman married to an ungodly man. What she had learned from her own father she would have been able to pass on to her son even during the terrible times Ahaz brought down on the country of Judah. More than one mother has been able to pass on truth and faith to her children even though her husband was neither supportive of her nor and example to his own children. Godly women have a responsible role in changing the course of a family, an assembly and in this case, a nation.
Character isn't necessarily passed on from one generation to another. Heredity may play a little part in giving a certain personality type to offspring but the outward expression of inward character comes mostly from what we have been taught, and even more, by that which we have really learned. Our environment doesn't make us what we really are. It usually is a reflection on those who are a generation before us. Each one of us is responsible for our own character development. What I think about, what I read, what I choose to accept or reject - everything I take in is what will form my character. From that will come the conduct and convictions that will be evident to those around me. God is ready and willing to draw near to any who call upon Him.
Hezekiah recognized the grace of God and, even though young, responded gratefully to that grace. Prophets like Isaiah, Micah, Hosea and maybe some others were witnesses for the Lord in those bad times and he would have been made conscious of the word of God through them. He likely had learned from them and recognized the reality they represented rather than the spurious religion of idolatry. Influence from others beside our own kinfolks can create a strong motivation to seek the Lord and follow Him. It is part of our Christian privilege to seek to help young people we meet, find the path of God's leading in their lives and urge them to yield to our Lord in every part of our lives. We need to make sure we do not allow pressures from a worldly society and modern psychology to hinder or turn us aside from active and effective service for God. Do not neglect our responsibilities and duty to the Lord but look for opportunities for service, and listen to the advice of those who can be trusted with spiritual things.
Hezekiah came into leadership at a very low point in the nation. God was able to use him to recover that which had been lost. Through his leadership the nation was restored and able to remain intact as a national identity for another couple of generations. He trusted in the living God. Idols did not claim his mind nor did idolatry attract him. He knew God was the true and living God. It is quite remarkable that as a young man he was able to inspire others to seek God and trust Him also. He began the recovery in himself and then was able to influence the Levites and priests and urge them back into the service of God for which they had been chosen. The recovery of scriptural sacrifices and a recovery to carrying out the word of God followed. Soon after that there was a cleansing of the house of God and a recovery of the true worship of God.
The recovery of God's people to that for which they have been called following a time of lethargy and casual worship, will call for radical changes right away. There really isn't a slow recovery process, but a deliberate rejection of that which has been ignored or left undone, and a whole-hearted commitment to God first. Then we will find God is there ready to hear, bless and use us. The return of the nation under Hezekiah's leadership was much like that of David when he became king after the reign of Saul. He first "opened the door of the house of the Lord" that his own father had closed up. He didn't wait but began on the first day of his reign. Obviously, he had planned ahead as to what comes first and how to go about it. Victory over evil comes when one makes a public stand right away. To gradually ease into Christian conduct and practice from a worldly lifestyle really isn't what being converted means. There is a dramatic stand for righteousness that lets people know who you are, and to whom you belong.
There was no question in Hezekiah's mind as to who should do what in the recovery process. It was the priests and Levites work to clean up the house of God. Before they could clean anything, they had to be cleansed themselves and sanctified for the work ahead of them. They had to know what was filthy not just physically but also morally no matter what beauty the evidences of idolatry held. It all had to go out with the trash and be thrown in the brook Kidron. For over two weeks the garbage and dirt were carried out and the cleansing took place. Holiness and the fear of the Lord go together when cleansing takes place. There is an order to follow when recovery takes place. Everything that is wrong has to be dealt with first and dumped in the trash heap, no matter what it might be nor how sentimental or beautiful it might be.
Then when the hearts of the leaders are cleansed and they are restored, the hearts of others are affected. Hezekiah identified himself as one of the people when he called them "my sons." He reminded them of the fact they had been chosen by God to serve Him so they were to get on with their appointed tasks. When the servants' hearts were right, he pressed them to move forward and finish the work in their hands and get the house of the Lord in a condition that it could function in the way it was intended to. Cleansing isn't just getting rid of what is wrong. That only leaves it empty, swept and garnished. That which is right had to be initiated and functioning before they could begin the on-going practice of what is right.
There was a return to God and His word. Hezekiah acted quickly and responded well to the word of the Lord. Then he led others in the "right way." When all the uncleanness was gone, the house of God was fit for the presence of God to be with His people again. Holiness in the house of God requires a holy people, who in a holy way, bring into a holy place, holy sacrifices and offerings to Him. The cleansing began inside and by the time it reached the outside sixteen days later, the whole congregation was able to rejoice in being reconciled because the sin offering was made for "sin and uncleanness." The sin offering was made for forgiveness. Then the burnt offerings could begin and the singing expressing in words worship began. The trumpets of public testimony could be made so the whole congregation could be glad. Worship of the one true God was back in the place of His choosing.
The bullocks, rams and lambs all brought in this new day of recovery. Then the goats for the blood of atonement were brought out, the hands of the kings and others were laid on the heads of the goats testifying to the fact of reconciliation having been made by the blood of innocent victims. Temple order was back again started by qualified people who could represent the nation to our God of recovery and grace. I expect the gladness and joy of acceptance with God again would have been a blessing to those people who had suffered so much for the sixteen previous years. God works when repentance is genuine and His word is obeyed. When His people come back to Him in humility and in need of mercy, and He grants forgiveness, then we can "walk in the light as He is in the light, and restored fellowship with Him gives peace within.