Introduction: 1. After the great Passover celebration, Hezekiah continued to pass more religious reforms a. These were his final major efforts in putting Judah’s religious house in order b. The temple has been cleaned, worship services revived, Passover has been observed 2. Now it is time to remove the idols from the land a. This would complete what had been started with the cleaning of the temple b. Hezekiah wanted to do a complete job – not leaving it half undone 3. Now it is time to set up the administration and support of the Temple
I. Destruction of the Idols o Following the Passover observance, the people engaged in a sweeping destruction of idols in Judah o Hezekiah is not named as being behind this great destruction of idols, he was very much behind it, supervised it – 2 Ki 18:4 A. Crowd Doing the Destruction 1 Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out … until they had utterly destroyed them all. 1. The crowd who went out doing the destruction was the crowd who had spent the last couple of weeks in Jerusalem celebrating the Passover and having revival 2. The Passover celebration had been extended from one week to two because the people were being revived. 3. After 2 weeks of revival, the people were of a mind to assault evil with great energy – they were fired up 4. When consecration to the Savior is great, condemnation of sin will be great also
B. Cause for the Destruction o There were at least 2 causes for the destruction of the idols 1. Trouble the Idols Produced a) These idols caused much trouble in the land b) The people sinned against God through idolatry and this brought God’s judgment on the land c) The idols needed to be destroyed d) Many things in our country cause trouble and need to be opposed by us (1) Alcohol (2) Abortion (3) Pornography (4) Homosexuality 2. Temptation the Idols Provided a) Leaving the images and idols would provide too much temptation if the religious reform is going to be maintained b) If we are going to serve God well, then the things which tempt us must be removed c) Radical action may be needed to defeat temptation d) The great temptation was cause enough to destroy the idols in the land
C. Completeness of the Destruction o This destruction of idols was not a half-way job o It was a complete job 1. The Area Covered – vs 1 ? a) This destruction of idols was not limited to a small area like the Temple of even Jerusalem b) The people went all over the land destroying the idols c) The northern kingdom was also cleaned up d) We need to clean up our lives like this crowd cleaned up Israel (1) Reach into ever corner of our lives and attack evil (2) Our thoughts, words, deeds needed to be cleaned 2. The Articles Destroyed - vs 1 ? a) Previous purging of idols was small compare to this b) Nothing was spared through favor or affection c) The costly, beautiful and well patronized were destroyed d) Leaving any of these would be like leaving weeds in the garden e) How important it is to destroy all evil
II. Delegating of the Courses 2 And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD. o After the excitement of the Passover observance and the utter destruction of idols from the land – Hezekiah set up the Temple administration so that it would function properly from day to day A. Precedence for the Delegating 1. King David had set up these courses several centuries earlier 2. David provided for an efficient day to day administration of the Temple services – 1Chron 23 3. Priests were divided into 24 courses with each ministering for a week 4. Courses were determined by casting lots
B. Prompting of the Delegating 1. Ahaz had closed down the Temple services and no priests or Levites were needed 2. Now that the temple had been reopened the priests were once again needed 3. Without this level of organization, the Temple could not function efficiently 4. Revival services only last a while, but there are day to day matters that must be organized and delegated
C. Purpose of the Delegating – vs 2 ? 1. Sacrifices a) The priests and Levites were appointed to take care of the burnt-offerings and the peace-offerings b) Priests did the slaying, sprinkling of blood, removing of the ashes from the altar and many other duties c) Christ sacrificed for our redemption and we ought to sacrifice for Him 2. Song a) Thanksgiving and praise were expressed by singing in the Temple services b) That certain men were appointed to praise God and give thanks reminds us of the importance of these two actions c) Our worship needs to include thanksgiving and praise
III. Donations for the Services o The greatest portion of this chapter deals with giving o Those who do not like much emphasis on giving will not like this section of the chapter o Giving goes along with worship and praise o Now that the temple was open many donations would be needed for the maintenance of the Temple A. Starting of the Donations – vs 3 ? 1. Hezekiah led the Israelites in giving by making a substantial gift himself 2. He was not like the Pharisees of whom Jesus said, “They say and do not” – Matt 23:3 3. Hezekiah led by exhortation as well as example a) He pledged to provide the morning / evening and Sabbath sacrifices b) This would amount to 1100 lambs, 113 bullocks, seven lambs, a ram, a goat and vast quantities of flour, oil, and wine for the meat and drink offerings c) We saw in our last study that Hezekiah provided many animals for the 2nd week of Passover celebration 4. We need some leaders like this who will be good examples and lead by example
B. Statute for the Donations 4a Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites… 1. Hezekiah had to make sure that the priests and Levites were taken care of 2. This was not his own invention, but he was simply following the orders of God concerning the maintenance of the ministers of God 3. In every age, paying the preacher is not optional a) What the church pays the pastor is a reflection of what they think of the Divine message he proclaims b) A true spiritual revival will manifest itself by a desire to properly pay the pastor
C. Support for the Donations 4b … that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD. 1. Hezekiah works for the encouragement of the priests and Levites by leading the people to support the Temple 2. We need to encourage those who are laboring in God’s service 3. There are plenty of discouragers, we need some encouragers 4. Talk is cheap if it is not backed up with action
D. Superabundance of the Donations 5 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance … and the tithe of all [things] brought they in abundantly. 6b… and laid [them] by heaps. 1. The response to Hezekiah’s command to give support of the Levites and priests was very great 2. Hezekiah had given them an inspiring example 3. The people responded and this enabled the Temple services to continue regularly and capably 4. A church which gives abundantly will have abundant blessings
E. Systematicness of the Donations 5b … the tithe of all [things] brought they in abundantly. 6b … and the tithe of holy things … 1. Giving a tithe speaks of being systematic in one’s giving 2. There was room for spontaneous giving and special offerings but there were regulations for tithing of the firstfruits 3. Paul’s exhortation to the Corinthians showed systematic giving 1Cor 16:2 Upon the first [day] of the week let every one of you lay by him in store, as [God] hath prospered him, that there be no gatherings when I come. 4. Good giving is regular, planned giving 5. “Tithe” (or tithes) is mentioned 4x here – vs 5, 6, 12 a) Tithing was not the limit of giving in the OT b) Other giving was also done c) The tithe should only be the beginning of our giving
F. Steadfastness in the Donations 7 In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished [them] in the seventh month. 12 And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated [things] faithfully… 1. This ties in with systematic 2. A systematic person will be steadfast and a steadfast person will be systematic 3. These Israelites gave faithfully – vs 12 4. Faithfulness in giving has always been a problem in the Lord’s work 5. Missionaries often have to face this 6. Steadfast, faithful giving is important in any church
G. Smile Upon the Donators 8 And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel. 10 … Since [the people] began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD … for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left [is] this great store. 1. The smile of blessing comes on those who are liberal in their donations 2. That should be no surprise 3. The Israelites were blessed by God and by man (Hezekiah and the princes)
H. Solicitude About the Donations 9 Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps. 1. Hezekiah wanted to make sure that the priests had taken from the heaps what they needed. 2. Hezekiah wanted to make sure that these gifts were used in a proper way 3. Hezekiah realized that there needed to be proper administration of the gifts given by the people.
I. Sufficiency of the Donations 10 And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since [the people] began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty… 1. The chief priest informed Hezekiah that the priests had eaten and the heaps were what was left 2. The ministers in the temple received adequate compensation which is not true for some pastors 3. Jesus said that the laborer was worthy of his hire in Lu 10:7
J. Stewardship of the Donations o Seeing this great surplus, Hezekiah gave orders concerning the storing of the donations and the sharing of the donations 1. The Storing 11 Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD; and they prepared [them], a) Hezekiah commanded that rooms be prepared in the Temple in order to store this abundance b) This was not money put into an offering envelope c) This was produce from the fields and could not be left outside because animals would get into it d) When offerings are received, they need to be deposited as quickly as possible e) Men were appointed over these offerings – vs 12-13 ? f) Churches need treasurers and trustees to properly take care of the churches offerings and properties 2. The Sharing – vs 14-15 ? a) Men were appointed to oversee the distribution of these gifts b) This would be a big job since there were so many priests and Levites who had to be supported c) This distribution was to be fair so that the great and small courses received support
IV. Distinctives of the Supervisor o This chapter closes with some comments on the character of Hez A. Character of His Work 20 And thus did Hezekiah … wrought [that which was] good and right and truth before the LORD his God. 1. This is a tremendous compliment to the character of Hezekiah 2. This cannot be said about many leaders in our land today 3. Many do well as far as man is concerned and they are accepted and are popular with man, but Hezekiah’s performance was popular with God
B. Commitment in His Work o We note 3 things about Hezekiah’s commitment 1. Attitude of His Commitment 21 And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did [it] with all his heart, and prospered. a) Hezekiah did not do a halfway job b) His dedication was with great dedication and determination c) This is such a commendable attitude d) Many today do just enough to get by, but not Hezekiah e) We need ss teachers, choir members etc who will serve God with all their heart 2. Area of His Commitment 21 … in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God… a) Hezekiah’s great commitment was in spiritual matters b) People are dedicated to sports, to making money etc, but not many are dedicated to spiritual things. 3. Award for His Commitment 21 And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did [it] with all his heart, and prospered. a) Hezekiah prospered when he “did it with all his heart” b) It takes great commitment to prosper in any endeavor c) Those who are lazy and slothful cannot expect to prosper d) Hezekiah was wholehearted for God.