◄ 2 Chronicles 30:3 ►
since they had been unable to observe it at the regular time, because not enough priests had consecrated themselves and the people had not been gathered in Jerusalem.
Study Bible
since they had been unable
This phrase indicates a situation of limitation or hindrance. The Hebrew root here suggests a lack of capability or opportunity. Historically, this reflects the challenges faced by the Israelites in maintaining religious observance during periods of neglect or apostasy. It underscores the importance of readiness and preparation in spiritual matters, reminding believers of the need to be vigilant and proactive in their faith practices.

to celebrate it
The "it" refers to the Passover, a significant Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt. The Hebrew word for "celebrate" implies a joyful and communal observance. This highlights the communal aspect of worship and the importance of coming together to remember God's past deliverances, which serves as a foundation for faith and hope in His future promises.

at the regular time
The "regular time" refers to the prescribed date for Passover, the 14th day of the first month (Nisan). This timing is crucial as it aligns with God's commandment in the Torah. The adherence to God's timing reflects obedience and reverence for His divine order. It serves as a reminder that God's timing is perfect and that His instructions are to be followed with precision and respect.

because not enough priests had consecrated themselves
The consecration of priests was essential for conducting the Passover. The Hebrew root for "consecrated" involves sanctification and setting apart for holy service. This highlights the necessity of purity and dedication among spiritual leaders. It serves as a call for leaders to maintain holiness and readiness, as their role is pivotal in guiding the community in worship and obedience to God.

and the people had not gathered in Jerusalem
Jerusalem, the chosen city for God's dwelling, was the central place of worship. The gathering of people in Jerusalem signifies unity and collective worship. The historical context here reflects the challenges of uniting a dispersed and divided nation. It emphasizes the importance of coming together as a community to seek God, reinforcing the idea that collective worship strengthens faith and fosters a sense of belonging and purpose among believers.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hezekiah
The king of Judah who initiated the celebration of the Passover, seeking to restore proper worship and obedience to God's commands.

2. Priests
The religious leaders responsible for conducting the Passover, who had not yet consecrated themselves, delaying the celebration.

3. Jerusalem
The central place of worship where the Passover was to be celebrated, as prescribed by the Law of Moses.

4. Passover
A significant Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt, which Hezekiah sought to reinstate.

5. The People of Israel
The community called to gather in Jerusalem for the Passover, representing both the tribes of Judah and remnants of the northern kingdom.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Consecration
Spiritual leaders must be prepared and consecrated to lead God's people in worship. This requires personal holiness and dedication to God's service.

God's Timing and Flexibility
While God's commands are to be followed, there is room for grace and flexibility in their application, as seen in the allowance for a delayed Passover.

Unity in Worship
Gathering together as a community to worship God is vital. Hezekiah's call to all Israel, including the northern tribes, highlights the importance of unity in worship.

Revival and Reform
True revival often begins with leadership that is committed to reforming worship practices and returning to biblical principles.

Preparation for Worship
Proper preparation is essential for meaningful worship. This includes both spiritual readiness and logistical planning to ensure that worship is conducted in a manner pleasing to God.
Bible Study Questions
1. What steps can we take to ensure that our spiritual leaders are adequately prepared and consecrated for their roles?

2. How can we apply the principle of flexibility in God's commands to our own lives without compromising on obedience?

3. In what ways can we promote unity within our church or community, especially during times of corporate worship?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to prepare ourselves for worship each week?

5. How can the account of Hezekiah's Passover inspire us to pursue personal and communal revival in our own spiritual lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 12
The original institution of the Passover, providing the historical and theological foundation for its observance.

Numbers 9:10-11
Instructions for observing the Passover at a later date if necessary, which Hezekiah utilized due to the unpreparedness of the priests and people.

2 Kings 18:4-6
Hezekiah's reforms, which included the removal of idolatry and a return to the worship of Yahweh, setting the stage for the Passover celebration.

1 Corinthians 5:7-8
The New Testament connection to Christ as our Passover Lamb, emphasizing the spiritual significance of purity and consecration.
Sermons
Letters to Ephraim: GenerosityW. Clarkson 2 Chronicles 30:1, 10, 11
Preparations for a Grand National PassoverT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 30:1-12
People
Asher, Dan, David, Hezekiah, Isaac, Issachar, Levites, Manasseh, Solomon, Zebulun
Places
Assyria, Beersheba, Dan, Jerusalem, Kidron
Topics
Able, Assembled, Celebrate, Consecrated, Gathered, Hallowed, Holy, Jerusalem, Numbers, Possible, Priests, Regular, Sanctified, Sufficient, Sufficiently, Themselves
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 30:3

     8218   consecration

2 Chronicles 30:1-5

     7406   Passover

2 Chronicles 30:1-10

     5463   proclamations

2 Chronicles 30:1-20

     7266   tribes of Israel

2 Chronicles 30:1-27

     8466   reformation

2 Chronicles 30:2-3

     1654   numbers, 11-99

Library
A Loving Call to Reunion
'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. 2. For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month. 3. For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
BY JOHN BUNYAN PREFATORY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR This important treatise was prepared for the press, and left by the author, at his decease, to the care of his surviving friend for publication. It first appeared in a collection of his works in folio, 1692; and although a subject of universal interest; most admirably elucidated; no edition has been published in a separate form. Antichrist has agitated the Christian world from the earliest ages; and his craft has been to mislead the thoughtless, by …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The New Temple and Its Worship
'And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo: and they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. 15. And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king. 16. And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Appendix v. Rabbinic Theology and Literature
1. The Traditional Law. - The brief account given in vol. i. p. 100, of the character and authority claimed for the traditional law may here be supplemented by a chronological arrangement of the Halakhoth in the order of their supposed introduction or promulgation. In the first class, or Halakhoth of Moses from Sinai,' tradition enumerates fifty-five, [6370] which may be thus designated: religio-agrarian, four; [6371] ritual, including questions about clean and unclean,' twenty-three; [6372] concerning …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Quotation in Matt. Ii. 6.
Several interpreters, Paulus especially, have asserted that the interpretation of Micah which is here given, was that of the Sanhedrim only, and not of the Evangelist, who merely recorded what happened and was said. But this assertion is at once refuted when we consider the object which Matthew has in view in his entire representation of the early life of Jesus. His object in recording the early life of Jesus is not like that of Luke, viz., to communicate historical information to his readers. …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Covenanting Performed in Former Ages with Approbation from Above.
That the Lord gave special token of his approbation of the exercise of Covenanting, it belongs to this place to show. His approval of the duty was seen when he unfolded the promises of the Everlasting Covenant to his people, while they endeavoured to perform it; and his approval thereof is continually seen in his fulfilment to them of these promises. The special manifestations of his regard, made to them while attending to the service before him, belonged to one or other, or both, of those exhibitions …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Covenanting a Duty.
The exercise of Covenanting with God is enjoined by Him as the Supreme Moral Governor of all. That his Covenant should be acceded to, by men in every age and condition, is ordained as a law, sanctioned by his high authority,--recorded in his law of perpetual moral obligation on men, as a statute decreed by him, and in virtue of his underived sovereignty, promulgated by his command. "He hath commanded his covenant for ever."[171] The exercise is inculcated according to the will of God, as King and …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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