2nd Chronicles 30 A BIT CLUMSEY, BUT GOOD When something important has been ignored for years by people, it takes a time or two and some practice to get back to what it should be like. Before the end of his first year as king, Hezekiah knew it was important that the Passover be celebrated again to unite the people of the Lord in a spiritual, but unforgettable way. So, an invitation was circulated "from Dan to Beersheba" to all twelve tribes of the Israelites. Likely motivated by a genuine desire for all of God's people to be reconciled to God, this young king moved in grace to get the people to "turn again to the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel" so that He would "return to the remnant of you."
Hezekiah rose above the divisive spirit of all the Israelites to reach the hearts of God's people with one of the major things they had in common - the celebration of the Passover which began in Egypt the night in which they were all freed as a united group from bondage. The writer of the Chronicles was no doubt aware of the necessity of the recently freed captives to be united in every way to begin again the testimony of a nation of chosen people. But most importantly he would have been conscious of their need to have the common bond of spiritual life in order to recover their unique identity and maintain it. In telling of this major event in the first year of Hezekiah's reign, he made sure that the spiritual commitment of God's people had the preeminent place in the narative. He wrote the words of the invitation. Then told of the need of purification before the celebration could take place. Any true recovery to God will follow a similar path.
Devotion to God in a leader, and a desire for the spiritual well-being of all of the children of God will resonate with the people and they will usually be in hearty agreement with what this kind of leader or leaders will promotes. There was obviously a deep-seated desire in the heart of this new leader, that initiated change in the lives and conduct of the people of God. When sincerity and reality are unmistakable in those who care for, and lead the flock of God, the saints of God who love the Lord will follow their lead.
Perhaps it was with a sense of optimism that Hezekiah and the princes wrote letters to go to every city through the whole of Israel from the north to the south urging all the twelve tribes to submit to the Lord and His word, and come together in fellowship to keep the Passover in Jerusalem as God intended. The letter of invitation was all inclusive rather than addressing a divided people. There was common ground when it came to the Passover, because all of them, despite their present division, had started out as one people who had been delivered from slavery in Egypt. The Passover was intended to be kept in the place where God had placed His name, not at a place of convenience for the people. That hope still exists among many Jewish people today - "Next year, Jerusalem!"
Stubbornness has the ability to stop people from doing what is right. It can stop further usefulness in the life of a believer, and can remove real joy from many because of one man's stubbornness. On the other hand, submission to the Lord of our mind, will, emotions, and body puts us in a condition to be guided by the Holy Spirit into all truth. God wants His people to come to Him. He does not want to have to turn away from them because of their stubborn attitude and rebellion against Him. "What think ye of Christ, is the test, That tries both the state and the scheme. You cannot think right in the rest, Until you think rightly of Him."
It is not an uncommon reaction to those who seek to promote spiritual growth, repentance and forsaking of sin, renewal and recovery to be mocked and made fun of. Certain negative responses to true faith and the desire for revival are to be expected. But it is important for people who know God and have faith in Him, to stay the course, be strong and not be moved by those who have no interest in divine things. There may not be a lot who will rally to revival, but any is good, so we need to keep reaching out in the Gospel to sinners, and with sound biblical teaching to believers no matter how far they have strayed. Keep the invitation to come open.
Hezekiah's mind rose above the thinking of men, to thinking like God. Many from the northern tribes of Israel responded with mockery and scorn, while others in humility came to Jerusalem. They may have remembered the feast of the Passover that typified their redemption, and the feast of unleavened bread that was a type of the holiness of life that should follow. Consecration involves getting rid of all that pollutes or hinders spiritual life and growth. The enthusiasm and zeal of the people stirred the priests and Levites to act.
God's people need the vigor and vitality of some committed believers who are willing to venture out of their comfort zone and stir up others to significant action. United fellowship has a contagious effect. Contagious Christianity lived out is a way which moves others to listen to the Gospel. It also means preparation for remembrance involves cleansing from defilement and removal permanently of anything that would make worshipping inconsistent with the reality of one's Christian life. The obedience to all the word of God to come to the right place and sanctify ourselves in view of remembering the sacrifice made on our behalf, indicates a renewal of devotion to God.
At that Passover, defilement kept them from carrying out the feast on the fourteenth day of the first month. But there was a provision in the law that in some circumstances the Passover could be kept a month later. So Hezekiah did not act outside the bounds of the scripture when the feast was in the second month at the beginning of the second year of his reign. Even though some had not gone through the ceremonial cleansing that was required, they were there with the motive of getting back to God. Hezekiah's intercession to God on their behalf demonstrated his real trust in the Lord, and faith in God's word to meet the need of healing.
The Lord's people reading this account would have been impressed with the fact that trusting God with the heart and having an honest motive of devotion is more important than the outward forms of religion and ritual. An exercise on the part of one of God's children for the welfare of the people of God that they might "turn again unto the Lord," is evidence of a spiritual person. "Great gladness" in believers is a result of obedience to God. Similarly, the gathering of God's people at a conference can be an encouragement to believers from all the places that attended. The lasting benefit of the time of fellowship and learning will be seen from one week to the next in the assemblies from which they came when because of a consistent walk with God and a testimony the is maintained,