HEZEKIAH CELEBRATES THE PASSOVER

PROCLAMATION

“Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites, who showed good understanding of the service of The Lord.  For seven days they ate their assigned portion and offered fellowship offerings and praised The Lord, the God of their ancestors.”  2 Chronicles 30:22 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

The words of First and Second Chronicles were written as one book under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God by Ezra the scribe and priest and historical Bible scholar according to Jewish tradition.  After Hezekiah had led the people in the purification of the temple and led burnt offerings to The Lord for the work that was done, he sent letters to all of Israel, Judah, Ephram, and Manasseh inviting them to come to the house of The Lord in Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover. (2 Chronicles 30:1)  He had listened to the counsel of the elders and officials and wanted to keep the Passover celebration in the second month of the year.  It had not been celebrated for a number of years so he sent out a decree to all to keep the Passover in Jerusalem. (2 Chronicles 30:2-9)  A very large crown assembled in Jerusalem to celebrate the Festival of Unleavened Bread in the second month of the year.  They slaughtered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the second month.  The priests and the Levites consecrated themselves and took their regular positions according to the law of Moses. (2 Chronicles 30:10-17)  The Israelites who were in Jerusalem celebrated the Festival of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great rejoicing, while the priests and the Levites praised The Lord every day with loud instruments and singing unto The Lord.  The whole assembly agreed to continue the celebration for another seven days.  Hezekiah provided a thousand bulls, and seven thousand sheep and goats for the assembly.  There was a great joy in Jerusalem, there had been nothing like this since the days of King Solomon. (2 Chronicles 30:18-27) 

 

APPLICATION

All religious holidays should be a time of celebration.  The word “holiday” was derived from a contracture of the two words, “holy day.”  Our celebration should include praise and giving thanks unto The Lord God.  It does not matter which day we celebrate; we should include The Lord God in our celebration.  In fact, every day should be a day of thanksgiving and praise to The Lord God.  For without God there would be no need to celebrate anything.