2 Chron. 29:1-11, First Things First!

What was the first thing Hezekiah did?  According to 2 Chron. 29:10 it was in his “heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel, that His fierce wrath may turn away from us.”  This is what he had in his heart.  Therefore, the first thing he did was to open “the doors of the house of the Lord” and repair them (29:3).  These had been shut in the time of his father Ahaz and stripped of any gold or silver (2 Chron. 28:24; 2 Ki. 16:17-18).

Then he gathered the priests and Levites to sanctify (cleanse for the LORD’s work) themselves so they could do the cleaning and repair of the temple (29:4-5).  At this point Hezekiah could lay at the feet of the fathers the sad shape of God’s “dwelling place” (29:6-7)  If he didn’t take immediate action then he would also bear the blame.  The time to turn to the LORD is immediately upon acknowledging that you have turned away from Him.  This is what Hezekiah did.

This is Old Testament worship.  Notice in today’s passage the important terms used for the temple:

·       It is the house of the LORD (v3).

·       It is the holy place (v5).  It was the one place set apart by God for God.

·       It is the dwelling place of the LORD (v6). 

In the time of Ahaz, with the two altars, it seems that Israel’s “religion” was no longer about her relationship with God.  Instead, ritual had become the focus.  And when we say “ritual,” we don’t mean the ritual commanded in the Law of Moses.  Ahaz led the way in this, following in the Baal worship of making “his son pass through the fire” and also in offering sacrifices “on the high places, on the hills, and under every green tree” (2 Ki. 16:3-4). 

As much as Ahaz led the people into idolatry, so Hezekiah led the people into the true worship of the LORD.  The priests and Levites had been subject to corruption under Ahaz with the priest building the idolatrous altar at the king’s command.  By the grace and hand of God, there were still faithful leaders who were willing to do as Hezekiah commanded (2 Chr. 29:12-19).  The testimony of these men was undoubtedly fruitful in the nation, in encouraging the people to follow the King with their hearts. 

Hezekiah then brought in the “rulers of the city” (29:20), gathering them to the temple while the priests and Levites offered appropriate sacrifices for the cleansing of the temple and the items used in the temple service that Ahaz had discarded.  It was an important moment when, after sanctifying the temple itself, they then offered the daily sacrifice (29:25-30). 

Then came the moment when the work of God’s Spirit in Judah we seen in great power.  Hezekiah invited “as many as were of a willing heart” to bring their offerings.  This was not a feast day or holy day of any sort.  It was not a call to do what we are “supposed to do.”  It was a call to show your faith in the God of Israel.  The response was amazing (29:31-35).   Don’t you just love v36? Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced that God had prepared the people since the events took place so suddenly.

Now, let’s review for our benefit.  The first action taken by the newly crowned king was to make the temple ready for worship and to call the people to join him in returning to the LORD.  For us, on this side of the cross of Christ, the temple is our own body, where the Holy Spirit dwells (1 Cor. 6:19-20).  Through our High Priest we know God.  But you may have come to realize that your temple had become cluttered with worldly priorities.  The first thing must be the cleansing of God’s dwelling place.  Perhaps we can think of Mary of Bethany.  When she sat at Jesus’ feet, even though duties were pressing, Jesus said, But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her (Lk. 10:42).