2 Chronicles 34:17
They have paid out the money that was found in the house of the LORD and have put it into the hands of the supervisors and workers."
They have paid out the money
This phrase indicates a transaction of funds, which were collected for a specific purpose. The Hebrew root for "paid out" is "יָצָא" (yatsa), meaning to go out or come forth. This suggests a deliberate action of distributing resources. Historically, this reflects the practice of temple maintenance and restoration, a common responsibility in ancient Israelite society. The act of paying out money signifies a commitment to stewardship and accountability, emphasizing the importance of using resources wisely for God's work.

that was found in the house of the LORD
The "house of the LORD" refers to the temple in Jerusalem, a central place of worship and the dwelling place of God's presence among His people. The Hebrew word for "house" is "בַּיִת" (bayit), which can also mean household or family, indicating a place of belonging and community. The discovery of money within the temple suggests a divine provision and a reminder of God's faithfulness. It also highlights the need for vigilance and integrity in managing what belongs to God.

and have put it into the hands of the supervisors and workers
This phrase underscores the delegation of responsibility. The Hebrew word for "supervisors" is "פְּקִידִים" (peqidim), meaning overseers or officers, while "workers" is "עֹשִׂים" (osim), meaning doers or laborers. This distribution of funds to supervisors and workers illustrates a well-organized system of labor and management, ensuring that the temple's restoration is carried out efficiently. It reflects the biblical principle of teamwork and the body of Christ working together, each fulfilling their role for the common good.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Josiah
The king of Judah who initiated religious reforms and the restoration of the temple. His reign is marked by a return to the worship of Yahweh and the eradication of idolatry.

2. Hilkiah
The high priest who discovered the Book of the Law in the temple during its restoration. His role was crucial in the spiritual revival under King Josiah.

3. The Overseers and Workmen
Individuals responsible for the restoration of the temple. They were entrusted with the funds to ensure the work was completed faithfully.

4. The House of the LORD
Refers to the temple in Jerusalem, which was in disrepair and undergoing restoration during Josiah's reign.

5. The Money
Funds collected for the purpose of temple restoration, highlighting the community's investment in returning to proper worship practices.
Teaching Points
Stewardship and Faithfulness
The passage highlights the importance of faithful stewardship of resources for God's work. Believers are called to manage their resources wisely and contribute to the needs of the church and community.

Revival and Reform
Josiah's actions demonstrate the power of spiritual revival and reform. Personal and communal renewal often begins with a return to God's Word and a commitment to His commands.

Community Involvement
The restoration of the temple was a community effort, showing the importance of collective action in achieving spiritual and physical goals. Believers are encouraged to work together for the common good.

Trust and Accountability
The overseers and workmen were entrusted with funds, emphasizing the need for trust and accountability in handling resources. Integrity in financial matters is crucial for maintaining trust within the community.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the restoration of the temple under Josiah's reign inspire us to prioritize spiritual renewal in our own lives and communities?

2. In what ways can we practice faithful stewardship of our resources to support the work of the church today?

3. How does the community's involvement in the temple restoration project reflect the importance of collective action in achieving spiritual goals?

4. What lessons can we learn from the trust and accountability demonstrated by the overseers and workmen in handling the temple funds?

5. How can we apply the principles of revival and reform seen in Josiah's reign to address areas of spiritual neglect in our own lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
2 Kings 22
Provides a parallel account of Josiah's reforms and the discovery of the Book of the Law, emphasizing the importance of returning to God's commandments.

Nehemiah 10
Describes the community's commitment to support the temple and its services, similar to the financial contributions for the temple's restoration in Josiah's time.

Malachi 3:10
Encourages bringing tithes into the storehouse, reflecting the principle of supporting God's work, as seen in the financial contributions for the temple.
The Book of the LawT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 34:14-28
The Hidden TreasureW. Clarkson 2 Chronicles 34:14-28
Finding the Book of the LawB. Kent, M.A.2 Chronicles 34:14-33
Josiah and the Newly Found LawA. Maclaren, D.D.2 Chronicles 34:14-33
Restoring God's HouseSunday School Times2 Chronicles 34:14-33
The Book of the Law FoundG. E. Horr.2 Chronicles 34:14-33
The Book of the Law FoundJ. E. Jacklin.2 Chronicles 34:14-33
The Loss of the ScripturesA. Phelps.2 Chronicles 34:14-33
The Scriptures Found and SearchedMonday Club Sermons2 Chronicles 34:14-33
People
Abdon, Ahikam, Asaiah, Azaliah, Benjamin, David, Hasrah, Hilkiah, Huldah, Israelites, Jahath, Joah, Joahaz, Job, Josiah, Kohath, Kohathites, Levites, Maaseiah, Manasseh, Merari, Meshullam, Micah, Naphtali, Obadiah, Shallum, Shaphan, Simeon, Tikvath, Zechariah
Places
Jerusalem, Second Quarter
Topics
Appointed, Collected, Delivered, Emptied, Entrusted, Gathered, Hands, Lord's, Money, Overseers, Pour, Poured, Supervisors, Temple, Workers, Workmen
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 34:15-18

     5519   secretary

2 Chronicles 34:15-21

     4963   past, the

2 Chronicles 34:15-24

     1640   Book of the Law

2 Chronicles 34:16-17

     5603   wages

Library
Josiah
'Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years. 2. And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left. 3. For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Josiah and the Newly Found Law
'And when they brought out the money that was brought into the house of the Lord, Hilkiah the priest found a book of the law of the Lord given by Moses. 15. And Hilkiah answered and said to Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord. And Hilkiah delivered the book to Shaphan. 16 And Shaphan carried the book to the king, and brought the king word back again, saying, All that was committed to thy servants, they do it. 17. And they have gathered together the money
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The History Books
[Illustration: (drop cap T) Assyrian idol-god] Thus little by little the Book of God grew, and the people He had chosen to be its guardians took their place among the nations. A small place it was from one point of view! A narrow strip of land, but unique in its position as one of the highways of the world, on which a few tribes were banded together. All around great empires watched them with eager eyes; the powerful kings of Assyria, Egypt, and Babylonia, the learned Greeks, and, in later times,
Mildred Duff—The Bible in its Making

Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
"Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before Me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place."--2 Kings
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

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

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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