2 Chronicles 31:1-21
Q.1. What did the people do to follow through with the revival? What did Hezekiah do to consolidate the revival? How did he know what to do? – (2 Chr.31:1-4)
The Passover was the beginning of the revival, inspired by King Hezekiah – Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel, that His burning anger may turn away from us (2 Chr.29:10). The people then followed through, by removing all the places of false worship throughout Judah and Benjamin, all the way to Ephraim and Manasseh (2 Chr.31:1). Hezekiah consolidated the revival, by reinstating the Priests and Levites. They were to resume regular sacrifices and offerings, as well as the temple worship and music. He set the example by providing for the morning and evening offerings, and for all the festivals. He urged his people to – … devote themselves to the law of the Lord (2 Chr.31:4). He followed the instructions – as it is written in the law of the Lord (2 Chr.31:3). Hezekiah did all he could to please God, by doing what He had directed to do through His Word.
Q.2. How did the people respond? What did Hezekiah do to sustain the ongoing worship of the Lord? What marked Hezekiah’s early reign? – (2 Chr.31:5-21)
The people responded wholeheartedly – … the sons of Israel provided in abundance the first fruits of grain, new wine, oil, honey and of all the produce of the field; and they brought in abundantly the tithe of all (2 Chr.31:5). The people gave their tithes faithfully from the third to the seventh month, and the abundant offerings were placed in heaps. This brought joy to the king and the rulers (2 Chr.31:6-8). For the surplus, the king ordered that storerooms be prepared in the house of the Lord so the role of the priests and Levites could be sustained (2 Chr.31:9-11). The responsibility for storage and distribution was assigned to trustworthy men. King Hezekiah started out well – 20 … and he did what was good, right, and true before the Lord his God. 21 Every work which he began in the service of the house of God in law and in commandment, seeking his God, he did with all his heart and prospered (2 Chr.31:20-21).