2 Chronicles 30:1-12 - Homilies By T. Whitelaw

Preparations for a grand national Passover.

I. A PASSOVER DECIDED ON . ( 2 Chronicles 30:1 , 2 Chronicles 30:5 .)

1 . By whom ! Hezekiah, his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, with both of whom he had taken counsel. The important step, not adopted without deliberation, was concurred in by the entire body of the people ( 2 Chronicles 30:4 ). If any in the nation held aloof, these were the priests and the Levites ( 2 Chronicles 30:15 ).

2 . For whom ? All Israel and Judah. The contemplated Passover should not be sectional or provincial, but national. For "all Israel, from Beersheba to Dan"—for the inhabitants of the two kingdoms, which ought never to have been divided, and in religion at least should ever have been one.

3 . On what ground ?

II. THE TIME OF CELEBRATION FIXED . (Verse 2.)

1 . In the second month.

2 . In the first or sixth ( perhaps seventh ) year of Hezekiah ' s reign.

III. THE INVITATIONS ISSUED . (Verses 6-10.)

1 . In whose name they were given. In that of Hezekiah and his princes. The absence of any reference to Hoshea points to a time subsequent to the captivity of Israel.

2 . By whom they were carried. The pests, or runners, i.e. king's messengers ( Esther 3:13 , Esther 3:15 ; Esther 8:14 ), who may have been members of the royal body-guard ( 2 Chronicles 12:10 ).

3 . To what purport they ran.

(a) To turn again to Jehovah, renouncing idolatry and embracing the religion prescribed by Moses (verse 6).

(b) Not to imitate the stubborn conduct of their fathers, who had been carried away captive (verses 7, 8).

(c) To resume attendance at the sanctuary, which Jehovah had sanctified for ever as the central place of his worship (verse 8).

(a) Duty. Jehovah was the Lord God of their fathers, even of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and, as the one living and true, gracious, and covenant-keeping God, was entitled to their allegiance (verses 6, 7).

(b) Fear. If they continued rebellious, Jehovah's anger would fall on and consume them who were but a remnant, as already it had fallen on and consumed their fathers.

(c) Clemency. If they returned to Jehovah, Jehovah would turn away the fierceness of his anger from them, and extend mercy to those who had been carried away captive, causing them to find favour in the eyes of their captors and even to return to their own land (verse 9).

(d) Hope. The certainty that they would thus be treated was guaranteed by the fact that Jehovah, whom they had forsaken, and to whom they were now invited to return, was a gracious and merciful God (verse 9). Or otherwise, Hezekiah pleaded with them to return on the grounds of national unity—Jehovah was Israel's God as well as Judah's; of historic continuity—Jehovah had been the Lord God of their fathers; of self-interest—it was the only way to avert their total extinction; of brotherly compassion—it was the most effectual means of helping their exiled brethren.

IV. THE RECEPTION ACCORDED TO THE MESSENGERS . (Verses 10-12.)

1 . In Israel.

2 . In Judah. The people generally responded to their sovereign's invitation.

Learn:

1 . The unspeakable blessing to a land of a pious king and court.

2 . The certainty that God will aid all who seek to extend his cause and kingdom.

3 . The necessity of diligence, fidelity, sympathy, and courage on the part of all "runners" to the King of heaven.

4 . The hopefulness with which divinely commissioned preachers may enter on their mission—there will always be found a remnant to hear and obey.

5 . The excellence of a humble spirit in disposing one to listen to the gospel.—W.