2 Chronicles 31:2-10 - Homilies By W. Clarkson

The service of the consecrated life, and of the substance.

Hezekiah, as soon as the excitement of the great Passover and of the subsequent destruction of all idolatrous symbols was over, made wise arrangements for the regular service of Jehovah. And this included—

I. THE SERVICE OF THE CONSECRATED LIFE ; that, namely, of the priests and the Levites ( 2 Chronicles 31:2 ). This service was threefold:

1 . Discharging sacred functions at the altar; doing for the people that which only consecrated men could do—presenting their sacrifices to Jehovah, thus standing between their fellows and their God, and constituting a medium of communion between them and him.

2 . Inquiry into and acquisition of all possible knowledge of the Law ( 2 Chronicles 17:9 ; Deuteronomy 33:10 ).

3 . Conducting the service of song ( 2 Chronicles 31:2 ), and teaching the people the Law which they had themselves learned. There are many in the Christian Church who have undertaken to offer to their Divine Lord a consecrated life; and it devolves on them to yield to him their strength in these three ways.

II. THE SERVICE OF THE SUBSTANCE . We have a very interesting instance here recorded of the full and cheerful dedication of the substance to the cause of God. Led as well as taught by Hezekiah, the people responded with tithes and firstfruits, so that there were "heaps "in the temple courts, even when everything had been taken that was required ( 2 Chronicles 31:10 ). Even the remainder was "this great store." The scene suggests the truths:

1 . That the offer of our substance is a most appropriate method of sacred service. How can we better express our gratitude to the great Giver of every good thing of every kind than by dedicating to him and to his service some serious proportion of the produce of our strength and skill?

2 . That those who urge others to show this grace should be forward to illustrate it themselves ( 2 Chronicles 31:3 ).

3 . That from those who have the greater privileges may be expected a very clear encouragement by example ( 2 Chronicles 31:4 ).

4 . That, if rightly addressed, the people of God may be trusted to make a lair and even a liberal response ( 2 Chronicles 31:5 , 2 Chronicles 31:6 ).

5 . That such service, rendered in a religious spirit, will draw down the Divine blessing in abundance ( 2 Chronicles 31:10 ; and see Malachi 3:10 ).—C.