2 Crônicas 29

2 Crônicas 29

Morgan - 2 Chr 29.31 With the accession of Hezekiah a great change came over the life of Judah. For a period there was a definite arrest in the process of degeneration. The reformation which he carried out began in his deep consciousness of the wretched condition of the people, and the reason thereof. This is most graphically set forth in the words he addressed to the priests and Levites when he called them together. There was no suggestion on his part that the calamities which had fallen upon them were in any way unjust. On the other hand he traced the story of their sin, and declared that the result of that sin was that the wrath of God had expressed itself righteously in their disasters. He then commenced the work of restoring the true order of worship, and the first business was that of cleansing the actual Temple. Some idea of the calamitous condition of the national life may be gained from the fact that the Levites were occupied sixteen days in cleansing the accumulation of filth from the sacred precincts. When this was done, there followed the ceremony of re-dedication; and in these words we discover Hezekiah's sense of the true order of procedure. Sacrifices and offerings are only acceptable when those offering them are themselves consecrated to Jehovah. The same principle is found in Paul's words in the Corinthian letter: "First they gave their own §elves to the Lord, and to us through the will of God." Contributions to the work of God are only valuable as they are the gifts of those who are themselves yielded to God True renewal begins when we first give ourselves fully to the LORD, for only consecrated lives can offer worship and service that truly pleases God. 2 Chronicles 29:32 The number of the burnt offerings which the assembly brought was 70 bulls, 100 rams, and 200 lambs; all these were for a burnt offering to the LORD. the number: 1Ki 3:4 1ki 8:63 1Ch 29:21 Ezr 6:17 Related Passages: 1 Kings 3:4 (OBVIOUS ABUNDANCE DURING SOLOMON'S REIGN) The king went to Gibeon to sacrifice there, for that was the great high place; Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar. 1 Kings 8:63 (OBVIOUS ABUNDANCE DURING SOLOMON'S REIGN) Solomon offered for the sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered to the LORD, 22,000 oxen and 120,000 sheep. So the king and all the sons of Israel dedicated the house of the LORD. 1 Chronicles 29:21 (KING DAVID SHORTLY BEFORE SOLOMON FORMALLY ASCENDED TO THRONE - 1Ch 29:22) On the next day they made sacrifices to the LORD and offered burnt offerings to the LORD, 1,000 bulls, 1,000 rams and 1,000 lambs, with their drink offerings and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel. FAITHFUL SACRIFICE AMID REDUCED PROSPERITY The number of the burnt offerings which the assembly brought was 70 bulls, 100 rams, and 200 lambs; all these were for a burnt offering to the LORD - Comparing the sacrifices offered in 2 Chronicles 29:32 with the vast number presented by Solomon at the temple dedication (see 2 Chr 7:4–7) highlights how greatly Judah’s material prosperity and spiritual vitality had declined in the intervening years. Under Solomon, abundance overflowed in both wealth and national devotion, whereas Hezekiah’s offerings—though sincere and acceptable—reflect a kingdom weakened by idolatry, judgment, and loss. Yet this contrast also underscores an important truth: God’s pleasure is not measured by quantity but by faithfulness, for even in reduced circumstances, a repentant people who return to the LORD with willing hearts find their worship received and their restoration begun. 2 Chronicles 29:33 The consecrated things were 600 bulls and 3,000 sheep. the consecrated: 2Ch 29:31 COSTLY GIFTS FROM WILLING HEARTS The consecrated things (offerings set apart for the LORD) were 600 bulls and 3,000 sheep - The consecrated offerings numbered 600 bulls and 3,000 sheep, an extraordinary total that reflects the people’s willing and grateful response to the LORD after the temple was restored to proper worship. Though far fewer than the sacrifices offered in Solomon’s day, these offerings nonetheless represent costly devotion from a humbled and repentant nation, showing that genuine consecration is measured not by abundance but by obedient hearts eager to honor God with what they have. God measures consecration not by how much we give, but by the willing, grateful hearts with which we give it. 2 Chronicles 29:34 But the priests were too few, so that they were unable to skin all the burnt offerings; therefore their brothers the Levites helped them until the work was completed and until the other priests had consecrated themselves. For the Levites were more conscientious to consecrate themselves than the priests. the priests: 2Ch 29:5 30:16,17 their brothers : 2Ch 35:11 Nu 8:15,19 18:3,6,7 for the Levites: 2Ch 30:3 upright: 1Ch 29:17 Ps 7:10 26:6 94:15 NECESSITY OVERRIDES CUSTOM IN SERVICE TO YAHWEH But the priests were too few, so that they were unable to skin all the burnt offerings The Levites were permitted to flay and prepare peace offerings and similar sacrifices, but the whole burnt offerings were ordinarily handled only by the priests, except in a case of necessity such as this. Therefore their brothers the Levites helped them until the work was completed and until the other priests had consecrated themselves. For the Levites were more conscientious to consecrate themselves than the priests. the number of consecrated priests was initially insufficient for the volume of sacrifices, so the Levites stepped in to assist until the work was finished and more priests were properly set apart. The note that the Levites were more conscientious highlights their readiness and zeal, gently exposing the priests’ earlier negligence while commending wholehearted obedience. The Chronicler is very supportive of the Levites. Notice only Levites' families are named in 2 Chr. 29:12-15. In Ezra's day there was a great need for Levites. Often in history they had been neglected and overworked. They were given by God to serve the priests. Bob