◄ 2 Chronicles 30:4 ►
This proposal pleased the king and the whole assembly.
Study Bible
The proposal
This phrase refers to the plan initiated by King Hezekiah to invite all Israel and Judah to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem. The Hebrew root for "proposal" is "davar," which often means "word" or "matter." This indicates that the proposal was not just a casual suggestion but a significant and deliberate plan. Historically, this proposal was crucial because it aimed to reunite the divided kingdom of Israel and Judah in worship, reflecting Hezekiah's desire for spiritual renewal and national unity.

pleased
The Hebrew word here is "yashar," which means to be right, straight, or pleasing. This indicates that the proposal was not only acceptable but also aligned with what was considered right and good in the eyes of the king and the assembly. The use of "pleased" suggests a harmonious agreement, which is significant given the historical context of division and conflict between the northern and southern kingdoms.

the king
Referring to King Hezekiah, this highlights his role as a godly leader who sought to restore proper worship and obedience to God. Hezekiah is known for his reforms and efforts to bring the people back to the worship of Yahweh. His leadership is a model of how a ruler can influence a nation towards righteousness and spiritual revival.

and all the assembly
This phrase underscores the collective agreement and unity among the people. The "assembly" refers to the gathering of leaders and representatives from the tribes of Israel and Judah. The Hebrew word "qahal" is used here, which denotes a congregation or community gathered for a purpose. This unity was significant, as it showed a collective desire to return to the covenantal practices commanded by God, despite previous divisions.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hezekiah
The King of Judah who initiated religious reforms and sought to restore the worship of Yahweh, including the celebration of the Passover.

2. The Assembly
The gathering of leaders and people of Judah who were involved in the decision-making process regarding the Passover celebration.

3. Jerusalem
The central place of worship in Judah where the Passover was to be celebrated, symbolizing unity and devotion to God.

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

5. The Proposal
The plan to celebrate the Passover in the second month, as the first month had already passed, showing flexibility in the pursuit of spiritual renewal.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Godly Leadership
Hezekiah's initiative demonstrates the impact of a leader committed to spiritual renewal. Leaders today should seek God's guidance in leading their communities back to Him.

Unity in Worship
The assembly's agreement highlights the power of unity in worship. Believers should strive for harmony and collective devotion in their faith communities.

Flexibility in Observance
The decision to celebrate Passover in the second month shows the importance of flexibility in religious observance when circumstances require it. Christians should be open to adapting practices to maintain their spiritual commitments.

Revival and Reform
Hezekiah's reforms remind us of the need for continual revival and reform in our spiritual lives. We should regularly evaluate and renew our commitment to God's ways.

The Role of Tradition
While traditions are important, Hezekiah's actions show that they should not hinder spiritual growth. Believers should honor traditions that draw them closer to God while being willing to adjust when necessary.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Hezekiah's leadership in 2 Chronicles 30:4 inspire you to take initiative in your own spiritual community?

2. In what ways can you promote unity in your church or faith group, similar to the assembly's agreement with Hezekiah's proposal?

3. Reflect on a time when flexibility in your spiritual practices was necessary. How did it impact your relationship with God?

4. What areas of your spiritual life might need revival or reform, and how can you take steps toward renewal?

5. How can you balance honoring religious traditions with the need for spiritual growth and adaptation in your faith journey?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 12
Provides the original instructions for the Passover, highlighting its importance as a perpetual ordinance for Israel.

2 Kings 18
Offers a parallel account of Hezekiah's reign and reforms, emphasizing his commitment to following God's commandments.

Numbers 9:10-11
Discusses the provision for celebrating Passover in the second month if someone was unclean or on a journey, which Hezekiah utilized.

Psalm 133:1
Reflects the theme of unity among God's people, which is evident in the assembly's agreement to Hezekiah's proposal.
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
Assembly, Congregation, Plan, Pleased, Seemed, Sight, Thus
Dictionary of Bible Themes
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

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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