"A solemn festival is revived by Hezekiah, to an extent
unprecedented since the days of Solomon (v 36). Hezekiah opened the doors of the
House of Yahweh which Ahaz had shut up (2Ch 28:24). They cleansed the sanctuary
in 16 days (2Ch 29:17). It was now too late to keep the passover at the proper
time in the first month, so they observed it in the second month as the Law
permitted (2Ch 30:7; Num 9:10-11). So [1] The impending passover is proclaimed:
vv 1-9. [2] Hezekiah's appeal rejected in Israel: vv 10-11. [3] Judah accepts
enthusiastically: v 12. [4] The great passover: vv 13-22. [5] A further seven
days' worship: vv 23-25. [5] Joy in heaven and on earth: vv 26,27.
"This took place in the first year of Hezekiah whilst the
northern kingdom was still standing, but the insecurity of Hoshea's reign
permitted Hezekiah to make an approach to the north, without retaliation. Hoshea
may even have permitted and encouraged it. But the appeal met with little
success in the north. The majority were too immersed in folly to take heed (2Ki
17:15). But Judah responded enthusiastically, recognising the circumstances that
God had brought upon them, and because they were better educated in the 'word of
Yahweh' (v 12). In spite of irregularities the worship was accepted because of
the sincerity of the people, and the intercession of the king (v 18). The
tremendous enthusiasm generated in the people as they experienced the great joy
of divine service and communion. They felt the need for further such experience
and another seven days are spent together (v 23). The final verse of the ch is a
token of the great worship of the millennium. The people confer the name of
Yahweh upon the nation, joining them as one with their God, and providing for
joy in heaven" (GEM).
Hezekiah commenced his reformation as soon as he came to the
throne, but there was not enough time to cleanse the house for the Passover in
the first month; thus he used the provision of the law which allowed for the
Passover to be kept in the second month. This allowed time for those who wished
to come from the northern kingdom to share in the Passover (v 6). Thus Hezekiah
-- just before the northern kingdom went into captivity -- showed a great spirit
of reconciliation, which probably encouraged many from Israel to align
themselves with Judah in days to come. (We have been given "the ministry of
reconciliation" -- 2Co 5:18. May we manifest the character of Hezekiah in this
respect towards our brethren.)
2Ch 30:3
NOT ENOUGH PRIESTS HAD CONSECRATED THEMSELVES: We
should put in a considerable degree of effort to prepare ourselves to meet the
Lord each time we go to our Breaking of Bread -- and surely at other times too
(for prayer, for example). It is only by doing so that we might be able to
present ourselves before him acceptably. Although we are under a different law
and regime than the Israelites were, this principle of preparation, common in
the law, may serve as our guide nonetheless.
2Ch 30:14
Even in the capital of Judah there was false
worship.
2Ch 30:15
THE PRIESTS AND LEVITES WERE ASHAMED: Were the priests
ashamed because it took them somewhat longer than the people to rise to this
momentous occasion (cp 2Ch 29:36)? Or was it simply a realization of the extent
of the sin of the people?
2Ch 30:20
AND HEALED THE PEOPLE: The sw is used 4 times in the
healing of leprosy: Lev 13:18,37; 14:3,48. (Had the breaking of the law of
Passover brought a plague from God upon the people? Cp Num 14:37; 16:48; 25:8,9;
Exo 12:13.)