2 Chronicles chapter 31

Hezekiah reestablishes proper worship.

 


 

HEZEKIAH REESTABLISHES PROPER WORSHIP

 

VERSE 1. Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah and broke the pillars in pieces, cut down the Asherah poles, and broke down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, also in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.

they had destroyed them all. Hezekiah has every idol throughout the nation destroyed.

 

VERSE 2. Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and the Levites after their divisions, every man according to his service, both the priests and the Levites, for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the LORD’s camp.

 

VERSE 3. He also appointed the king’s portion of his possessions for the burnt offerings: for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths, for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the LORD’s law.

 

VERSE 4. Moreover he commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to the LORD’s law.

to give the portion of the priests and the Levites. The people are to give contributions to the priests and Levites.

that they might give themselves to the LORD’s law. Previously, the priests and Levites worked in fields. But now they are to study the Scriptures as their full-time job.

 

VERSE 5. As soon as the commandment went out, the children of Israel gave in abundance the first fruits of grain, new wine, oil, honey, and of all the increase of the field; and they brought in the tithe of all things abundantly.

 

VERSE 6. The children of Israel and Judah, who lived in the cities of Judah, also brought in the tithe of cattle and sheep, and the tithe of dedicated things which were consecrated to the LORD their God, and laid them in heaps.

laid them in heaps. The people contributed so much that there was not enough room for it all.

This reminds us of the prophet Malachi:

Malachi 3:10. Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house, and test me now in this,” says the LORD of Hosts, “if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there will not be room enough for.”

 

VERSE 7. In the third month, they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month.

 

VERSE 8. When Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD and his people Israel.

 

VERSE 9. Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and the Levites about the heaps.

 

VERSE 10. Azariah the chief priest, of the house of Zadok, answered him and said, “Since people began to bring the offerings into the LORD’s house, we have eaten and had enough, and have plenty left over, for the LORD has blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.”

 

VERSE 11. Then Hezekiah commanded them to prepare rooms in the LORD’s house, and they prepared them.

They had to build special chambers because the tithes were so generous.

 

VERSE 12. They brought in the offerings, the tithes, and the dedicated things faithfully. Conaniah the Levite was ruler over them, and Shimei his brother was second.

 

VERSE 13. Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah were overseers under the hand of Conaniah and Shimei his brother, by the appointment of Hezekiah the king and Azariah the ruler of God’s house.

 

VERSE 14. Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the gatekeeper at the east gate, was over the free will offerings of God, to distribute the LORD’s offerings and the most holy things.

the free will offerings. Our giving is to be generous, but not out of obligation.

People should not contribute out of obligation. Rather, God loves a cheerful giver. Read more »

The Bible calls us to support the people who teach us in the faith. Read more »

 

VERSE 15. Under him were Eden, Miniamin, Yeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their office of trust, to give to their brothers by divisions, to the great as well as to the small;

 

VERSE 16. in addition to those who were listed by genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even everyone who entered into the LORD’s house, as the duty of every day required, for their service in their offices according to their divisions;

 

VERSE 17. and those who were listed by genealogy of the priests by their fathers’ houses, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their offices by their divisions;

 

VERSE 18. and those who were listed by genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation; for in their office of trust they sanctified themselves in holiness.

 

VERSE 19. Also for the sons of Aaron the priests, who were in the fields of the pasture lands of their cities, in every city, there were men who were mentioned by name to give portions to all the males among the priests and to all who were listed by genealogy among the Levites.

 

VERSE 20. Hezekiah did so throughout all Judah; and he did that which was good, right, and faithful before the LORD his God.

 

VERSE 21. In every work that he began in the service of God’s house, in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart and prospered.

This verse is fantastic! Would you consider memorizing it? More great verses to memorize from the Book of 2 Chronicles and from the entire Bible.

he did it with all his heart. King Hezekiah is wholehearted in serving the LORD God.

 


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2 CHRONICLES

CHAPTERS: 01, 02, 03, 04, 05, 06, 07, 08, 09, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36

RESOURCES: Summary, Outline, Memorize, Mount Moriah, The Cloud of Glory

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