2 Crônicas 31

2 Crônicas 31

Morris - This reference implies that "the children of Israel," as well as "the children of Judah," were included in those "that dwelt in the cities of Judah." Probably some of those Israelites from the northern kingdom who had come to Jerusalem for the Passover were so convicted of its vital importance that they decided to make their permanent home in Judah. For example, Anna, the prophetess during the days of Christ, was from the tribe of Asher (Luke 2:36). It is very probable, if not certain, that all the tribes (in addition to Judah, Benjamin and Levi in the southern kingdom) were represented in the land of Israel during the days of Christ and thus are included among those known as the Jews today. Iain Duguid: While king and chief priest took leadership (2Ch 31:10, 13), priests, Levites, (ESV Expository Commentary (Volume 3): 1 Samuel–2 Chronicles) Frederick Mabie: Hezekiah praises the people for obediently and abundantly responding to this call of God (2Ch 31:6-7; cf. Dt 14:22-29). In the light of their obedience and generosity, Hezekiah blesses the people (2Ch 31:8), similar to David’s (cf. 1Ch 16:2) and Solomon’s (cf. 2Ch 6:3-11) blessings. Indeed, the storage and faithful disbursement of accumulated tithes (2Ch 31:11-18; cf. Dt 14:28-29) act as a means of appropriating God’s blessing (“so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands”; Dt 14:29). Note that tithes have also been appointed for “aliens, the fatherless, and the widows who live in your towns” (Dt 14:29). (See The Expositor's Bible Commentary: 1 Chronicles-Job) 2 Chronicles 31:7 In the third month they began to make the heaps, and finished them by the seventh month. HEAPS TESTIFY TO GOD'S BLESSING In the third month they began to make the heaps, and finished them by the seventh month - the people started piling up their tithes and offerings in the third month (around May‑June, the time of the grain harvest) and continued bringing them until the seventh month (around September‑October, the time of the final harvest), showing that through the entire harvest season God so blessed them that the gifts accumulated in large heaps of abundance. Bob