2 Chronicles 35:5
Moreover, stand in the Holy Place by the divisions of the families of your kinsmen the lay people, and by the divisions of the families of the Levites.
Serve in the sanctuary of the LORD your God
The Hebrew word for "serve" is "עָבַד" (avad), which implies a sense of worshipful labor and dedication. This service is not merely a task but a sacred duty performed in the "sanctuary," the holy place where God's presence dwells. The sanctuary represents the heart of Israel's worship, a place set apart for divine encounters. Historically, the sanctuary was central to Israelite life, symbolizing God's covenant and His dwelling among His people. This phrase calls believers to a life of dedicated service, recognizing that all work done for the Lord is sacred and significant.

and in the presence of the Levites
The Levites were chosen by God to assist the priests and serve in the temple. Their presence signifies order, structure, and the importance of community in worship. The Levites acted as mediators between God and the people, emphasizing the need for spiritual leadership and guidance. This phrase reminds us of the importance of serving alongside others in the faith community, valuing the roles and gifts of each member in the body of Christ.

according to the divisions of the families of your fellow countrymen
The word "divisions" refers to the organized groups or courses established for orderly service. This structure ensured that every family had a role and responsibility in the worship and service of God. It highlights the communal aspect of worship, where each family and individual contributes to the collective spiritual life of the nation. This organization reflects God's desire for order and unity among His people, encouraging believers today to find their place and purpose within the church community.

the lay people
The term "lay people" refers to the non-Levitical tribes of Israel, the ordinary men and women who were not part of the priestly class. This inclusion underscores the universal call to worship and service, where every believer, regardless of status or position, is invited to participate in the life of faith. It emphasizes the priesthood of all believers, a foundational principle in Christian theology, where each person has direct access to God and a role in His kingdom. This phrase inspires us to recognize the value and dignity of every individual in the church, encouraging active participation and service in God's work.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Josiah
The king of Judah who initiated religious reforms and restored the observance of the Passover.

2. Levites
Members of the tribe of Levi, set apart for religious duties and service in the temple.

3. Sanctuary of the LORD
The holy place where God was worshiped, specifically referring to the temple in Jerusalem.

4. Divisions of the Families
The organized groups of Israelites, divided by family lineage, for the purpose of worship and service.

5. Lay People
The general population of Israel, distinct from the priestly class, who participated in the Passover celebration.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Order in Worship
God values order and structure in worship, as seen in the organized divisions of the Levites and families. This reflects His nature and helps maintain reverence and focus in worship.

Role of Leadership in Spiritual Revival
Josiah's leadership was crucial in restoring proper worship. Spiritual leaders today are called to guide their communities back to biblical principles and practices.

Active Participation of All Believers
The involvement of the lay people in the Passover highlights the importance of every believer's participation in worship and community life.

Faithfulness to God's Commands
Josiah's adherence to the instructions for Passover demonstrates the importance of faithfulness to God's Word. Believers are called to study and apply Scripture diligently.

Unity in Worship
The collective participation of the Levites and lay people underscores the unity that should characterize the worship of God's people, transcending social and familial divisions.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the organization of the Levites in 2 Chronicles 35:5 reflect God's desire for order in worship, and how can this principle be applied in our church services today?

2. In what ways can spiritual leaders today emulate King Josiah's commitment to restoring biblical worship practices?

3. What role do lay people play in the worship and ministry of the church, and how can we encourage greater participation among all members?

4. How does the observance of the Passover in 2 Chronicles 35 connect to the broader biblical account of redemption, and what does this teach us about the continuity of God's plan?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced unity in worship with other believers. How can we foster a greater sense of unity in our congregations?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 12
The original institution of the Passover, which Josiah sought to restore in its full observance.

Numbers 3
Details the duties and responsibilities of the Levites, providing context for their role in the temple service.

1 Chronicles 23
Describes the organization of the Levites into divisions, which is relevant to their service in 2 Chronicles 35.

Deuteronomy 16
Offers instructions for the celebration of the Passover, emphasizing its importance in Israelite worship.

Hebrews 9
Discusses the role of the sanctuary and the priesthood, drawing parallels to the ultimate fulfillment in Christ.
The Great Passover of JosiahT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 35:1-19
The Preferable ServiceW. Clarkson 2 Chronicles 35:3-7
People
Aaron, Asaph, Charchemish, Conaniah, David, Hashabiah, Heman, Hilkiah, Jeduthun, Jehiel, Jeiel, Jeremiah, Josiah, Jozabad, Levites, Necho, Nethaneel, Samuel, Shemaiah, Solomon
Places
Carchemish, Egypt, Euphrates River, Holy Place, Jerusalem, Megiddo
Topics
Brethren, Brothers, Classes, Countrymen, Division, Divisions, Families, Family, Fathers, Father's, Fellow, Group, Grouped, Groupings, Holy, Household, Households, Houses, Lay, Levites, Moreover, Portion, Positions, Sanctuary, Sections, Sons, Stand, Subdivision
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 35:1-6

     7390   Levites

2 Chronicles 35:1-19

     7245   Judah, kingdom of
     8466   reformation

Library
Cheer Up, My Comrades!
The first thing is to get every man into his proper place; the next thing is for every man to have a good spirit in his present place, so as to occupy it worthily. I will suppose, dear friends, that in the providence of God you are in your place, and that by the direction of God's Spirit you have also sought and found the precise form of usefulness in which you ought to exercise yourself. To-night it shall not be my business to arrange you; but assuming that it is well for you to keep where you are,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 26: 1880

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

Importance in Luke's History of the Story of the Birth of Christ
IT needs no proof that Luke attached the highest importance to this part of his narrative. That Jesus was indicated from the beginning as the Messiah -- though not a necessary part of his life and work, and wholly omitted by Mark and only briefly indicated in mystical language by John -- was a highly interesting and important fact in itself, and could not fail to impress the historian. The elaboration and detail of the first two chapters of the Gospel form a sufficient proof that Luke recognized
Sir William Mitchell Ramsay—Was Christ Born in Bethlehem?

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

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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