Introduction: 1. Hezekiah has been on a campaign of religious reformation in Judah a. He ordered that the Temple be cleaned up b. With the Temple clean, it was possible to observe the Passover 2. He sent out a proclamation to all Israel and Judah to come to Jerusalem 1 And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel. 3. The Passover was Israel’s most significant religious feast for 2 reasons a. It commemorated the emancipation of the coI from Egypt b. It was rich in typology regarding Jesus Christ and the gospel 4. The Passover was the first of three religious feasts which all males of Israel were required to attend yearly 5. The first Passover occurred on the night before the Israelites left Egypt a. It involved the killing of a lamb and sprinkling it’s blood on the sides and top of the door to protect the inhabitants from the plague of death of the firstborn b. The death angel, when he saw the blood on the door, passed over that house and the firstborn was not killed. 6. The Passover and other religious feasts had not been kept regularly a. When the nation had a wicked king, then many years passed between observances of the feast b. The Passover was not observed when Ahaz was king and the northern kingdom never did keep it. 7. Since the Passover was such an important commemoration, Hezekiah certainly wanted to restore it.
I. Proclamation for Keeping the Passover A. Deciding on the Passover o 2 main factors helped Hez decide to keep the Passover at this time 1. Convenience of Keeping the Passover a) The people were excited - The temple had been cleaned out and religious services had been reinstated b) There would be no better time to begin observing the Passover c) Revival was occurring in the land, people were getting right with God and would be more inclined to keep the Passover d) When opportunity for spiritual service and blessing are present grab them quickly e) When spiritual interest is increasing do what you can to help it not smother it 2. Counseling for Keeping the Passover – vs 2 2 For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month. a) Hezekiah could have ordered everyone to keep the Passover at a certain time, but he didn’t b) He called others together to address the subject c) The excitement and enthusiasm would be greater if more people were interested in it d) Hezekiah demonstrated that he was more interested in spiritual revival than strutting his position
B. Delaying in the Proclamation 2 For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month. o Normally the Passover would be kept in the 1st month o There was a provision in Num 9:1-11 which allowed observing the Passover in the 2nd month o There were 3 good reasons why the Passover could not be kept in the first month… 1. Priests Were Not Sanctified 3a For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently… a) There were no enough priests for the worship services, let alone for the Passover observance b) Many more people would be offering sacrifices at that time 2. People Were Not Assembled 3b …neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem. a) Transportation was much more difficult and time consuming then than now b) It would take many days for people to assemble in Jerusalem from far away c) There are times when services must be adjusted to the people’s ability to be present 3. Place was Not Purified a) We learned earlier that the temple was not cleaned out completely until the 16th day of the 1st month b) The Passover was supposed to start on the 14th of that month – Lev 23:5 c) The purifying of the Temple was complete in time
C. Delivering of the Proclamation – vs 5-6 1. Extent of the Delivering of the Proclamation 5 So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beersheba even to Dan… a) Beersheba is in the southern most end and Dan in the northern most area b) Hezekiah invited those in the northern kingdom to attend this observance c) This might unify the people at least religiously, then later maybe politically d) Sending the runners to all Israel reminds us of the Great Commission which sends us out e) All are included in the invitation, but some will not come 2. Exhortations in the Delivering of the Proclamation a) The runners urged the people to return to the Lord 6 …saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria. 9 For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children [shall find] compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God [is] gracious and merciful, and will not turn away [his] face from you, if ye return unto him. (1) Returning to the Lord would mean worship (2) Returning to the Lord would mean work b) The runners mentioned rewards for returning to the Lord (1) God’s judgment would be turned away – vs 8 (2) Captivity would be canceled - vs 9a c) The runners mentioned remission for returning to the Lord 9b (1) This is one of the strongest inducement that we have for the lost today (2) If they will turn to Christ, He will forgive them and accept them d) The runners mentioned rebellion – vs 7-8 (1) Sinfulness in the rebellion – “trespassed against the LORD” (2) Stubbornness in the rebellion – “stiffnecked…” 3. Experiences in the Delivering of the Proclamation a) The runners experienced scorners – vs 10 (1) This was the response in the northern kingdom (2) They rejected the invitation and scorned it b) Some accepted the invitation in the north – vs 11 (1) Some laugh and mock (2) Some humble themselves and accept c) All in Judah accepted the invitation – vs 12-13 (1) God worked in their hearts (2) God must work before the lost will trust Christ
II. Particulars of Keeping the Passover A. Purifying Before the Passover – vs 14 1. The city needed to be cleaned up and all the idol paraphernalia removed so people would not be distracted and defiled in keeping of the Passover 2. King Ahaz, Hezekiah’s father, had filled Jerusalem with idols and idol altars – 2Chron 28:24 3. This corruption needed to be removed if the keeping of the Passover was to occur successfully and properly 4. Stage 1 – cleaning the temple / stage 2 – cleaning Jerusalem and later on stage 3 – cleaning the land 5. It is a great credit and tribute to Hezekiah that he would not tolerate idolatry in the land in any way
B. Properness in the Passover o Every attempt was made to properly observe the Passover 1. Lamb in the Passover o The lamb was an important part of the celebration o What a great picture of our Savior a) The slaying of the lamb was done properly 15a Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth [day] of the second month… (1) The lamb was killed and this pictures our Savior being killed on the cross (2) He did not swoon or faint as some would say (3) A living lamb would not do the job on Passover (4) Jesus had to die for sinners (5) The 14th day was the proper day as specified in Ex 12:6 b) The sprinkling of the blood was done properly 16b …the priests sprinkled the blood, [which they received] of the hand of the Levites. (1) The blood of the slain lamb was sprinkled on the altar (2) This speaks of the importance of blood in the salvation of man (3) Protection from divine judgment comes through the blood of the lamb ? 2. Laborers in the Passover showed properness a) They showed steadfastness 16a And they stood in their place after their manner… (1) They did not quit, but they stood (2) Steadfastness is so important in the work of God b) They showed submission (1) They stood in “their place” (2) They stayed where they were assigned (3) Few want to serve where God has called them c) They followed the statutes in their service 16b …according to the law of Moses the man of God… (1) They did their service within the regulations of the Word of God (2) The Word of God must be our guide too (3) The purpose of keeping the Passover was to turn again to God and you must keep His statutes in order to do that (4) Many churches try to serve God according to the rules of the world which contradicts their mission
C. Problem for the Passover o The keeping of the Passover was plagued by the fact that many were not sanctified 17a For [there were] many in the congregation that were not sanctifie o This included priests / Levites and the congregation o This was a serious problem 1. Disgrace in the Problem 15 b …the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves… a) “Ashamed” here means to be in a state of dishonor / disgrace b) It is strong shame c) The people had cleansed the city of Jerusalem from idols and this shamed the priests and Levites who had failed to clean d) Oh that our zeal for holiness would shame the unholy e) Churches today try to bend over backwards to keep the unholy from feeling embarrassed because of their sin f) Calling the lost “sinners” is not fashionable today – we must not be so rude g) God does not exalt sin and we shouldn’t either h) Because of their shame the priests/Levites sanctified themselv i) Where there is no shame for sin, there will be no repentance from sin and no deliverance from sin 2. Demotion from the Problem – vs 17 a) Impurity demotes a person in his service for God b) Because the members of the congregation were not sanctified, they could not kill the lamb, but had to have the Levites do it for them c) Isa 52:11b … be ye clean, that bear the vessels of the LORD. d) Purity is an important qualification for serving God e) You can get demoted by God very quickly when you do not keep yourself clean
D. Prayer in the Passover o During the Passover observance, Hezekiah made a noble prayer 1. Cause of the Prayer 18a For a multitude of the people, [even] many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. a) The Passover lamb was to be eaten – showing that Christ’s blood not only saves, but he provides saved people with nourishment for walking in obedience to Him b) Christ is not only our Savior (1Tim 1:15) but He is also our strength (Phil 4:13) c) Those who were unclean were eating the lamb so Hezekiah took this to the Lord in prayer 2. Concern of the Prayer 18b …But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one a) Hezekiah was concerned about God’s forgiveness for the people b) We in sin, need forgiveness more than anything else c) Not many rulers today pray like this 3. Condition in the Prayer 18b …But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good LORD pardon every one 19 [That] prepareth his heart to seek God… a) This condition is important b) It says that forgiveness only comes to those who are truly seeking God c) Many seek God with no intention of forsaking sin d) Many “go to confession” but have no intention of living a better life e) Hezekiah prayed for those who were truly seeking God 4. Curing from the Prayer 20 And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people. a) God healed the people – judgment had already fallen in the form of some sickness or other problem b) We are not told what the judgment was c) Some people needed healing because they had sinned d) The healing came through seeking pardon from sin
III. Pleasure in Keeping the Passover o Joy abounded in Jerusalem during the keeping of the Passover o 4x this joy is mentioned in the last 7 verses – vs 21 – great gladness; vs 23 – gladness; vs 25 –rejoiced; vs 26 – great joy A. Evidence of the Joy 21a And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness… 1. Their Attitude a) They kept the Passover “with great gladness” b) They were not mourning and weeping, but rejoicing c) This joy was out in the open and in the public d) Real joy cannot be kept a secret very long, it will bubble out of the heart as a spring continually gushes up water e) This joy certainly gave a great testimony for the Lord f) Churches today could use a lot more of this joy 2. Their Acclamation 21b … and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, [singing] with loud instruments unto the LORD. a) When the joy of the Lord is in the heart, praise for the Lord will be on the lips b) This joy caused singing/playing of instruments to the Lord c) True joy makes us want to praise God
B. Explanation for the Joy – vs 22 1. This joy was caused by people coming back to the Lord 2. Living for the devil takes the joy out of living 3. Getting right with God does not take joy away, as Satan would have some believe, but it gives joy 4. Ps 64:10 The righteous shall be glad in the LORD… 5. If your life lacks joy, then maybe there is a sin problem 6. Nothing produces true joy like faith in Christ
C. Extent of the Joy – vs 25 1. This was not just joy that a few people had 2. The priests and Levites had it, the people had it, and the strangers (proselytes) from other lands had it 3. What a great time for Hezekiah seeing all this joy 4. Hezekiah had it right – he led people to the Lord where they found true joy
D. Encouragement in the Joy 22a And Hezekiah spake comfortably [encouragingly] unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD… 1. Hezekiah went around encouraging those who were leading the celebration 2. They had much responsibility in the Passover celebration and a word of encouragement would aid them greatly in doing their jobs
E. Edification in the Joy 22b … the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: 1. One of the duties of the Levites was to teach the people – Deut 33:10 2. Reading and teaching the Word of God was an important part of this celebration 3. People did not have Bibles like we do and the only time people heard the Bible was when it was read at these special occasions 4. Neh 8 gives a good example of this 5. We must be wary of religious celebrations that leave out teaching and preaching the Word of God
F. Eating in the Joy 22c …and they did eat throughout the feast seven days… 1. The Passover was called the “feast of unleavened bread” 2. The Passover lamb was killed at the beginning of the week and the next 7 days were the Feast of Unleavened Bread. 3. Leaven often represents sin in the Bible and the people could only eat unleavened bread 4. There was an emphasis on holiness and keeping sin out of homes and lives
G. Extending of the Joy – vs 23 1. The joy was so great that the people wanted to extend the celebration for 7 more days 2. The people were in no hurry to end the observance 3. What a different attitude we see today in churches a) People start looking at their watches at noon wondering when they will be getting out b) In Malachi’s day people were saying “Oh what a weariness it is!” – 1:13 c) If revival services were for a full week, they wouldn’t want to come to all the services d) They don’t mind it when a ball game goes into overtime or extra innings 4. Hezekiah led the way in the extra week by giving a great number of sacrifices – vs 24 a) If the celebration was going to continue, then more sacrifices would be needed b) His character certainly shined in this celebration 5. The extra week of worship meant that more priests would be needed 24b …and a great number of priests sanctified themselves. a) Perhaps they were inspired and motivated by the services b) When we cut off revivals too short we might cut off spiritual victories c) This doesn’t mean that invitations should be extended
H. Exceptionalness of the Joy 26 So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel [there was] not the like in Jerusalem. 1. 300 yrs had past since Solomon’s day when this had occurred 2. At the dedication of the Temple in Solomon’s day there was great joy 3. This was an exceptional event
I. Epilogue of the Joy 1. People for the Benediction 27a Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people… a) These people had turned back to God and had praised Him and worshipped Him for 2 weeks b) That will one on blessing ground c) Give God little of your time, energy and substance and you will find little blessings from Him 2. Praying for the Benediction 27b …and their voice was heard, and their prayer came [up] to his holy dwelling place, [even] unto heaven. a) God heard this prayer of blessing b) There was power in this prayer since it went up to heaven c) What tremendous power there is in true prayer