For a multitude of the people, many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, "May the good Lord provide atonement for everyone who prepares his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers, though he is not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary."
--2 Chronicles 30:18-19 (NKJV)
From the daily Bible reading on August 1, 2013 of Psalm 127; Luke 8:40-56; 2 Chronicles 30:13-32:23.
King Hezekiah was doing right in the sight of God and leading the people of Judah to do likewise. He reassigned the priests and the Levites to their correct and appropriate roles. He reinstated all the rites, feasts, sacrifices, and offerings and commanded the people to observe them. He had the house of the Lord cleared of all the things that did not belong there, all the rubbish brought in against God's law, and had the Temple cleaned thoroughly and repaired. He offered to God from his own wealth for the repair work and the sacrifices. He also sent his trusted men throughout all Judah and into Israel, teaching them about God's law and spreading his proclamation to observe the Passover and all the rest of the feasts in Jerusalem, in the Temple. And God smiled on his efforts.
And the people responded to their king, coming to Jerusalem from all across Judah. Some who sought the Lord came from Israel, which had turned its back on God long ago. But many were not properly prepared to participate in the observances according to the law of Moses, including some priests of Judah who had not all sanctified themselves to God's service. The Levites bore the burden of administering all the rites of the Passover while the priests hurriedly sanctified themselves. Yet the people partook of the feast and ate of the Passover without being ritually cleansed, contrary to Mosaic Law. The exemplary leader, and in a real sense a true servant to his people, Hezekiah humbled himself before the Lord, pleading for atonement for his people, because even though in their innocence and their ignorance they had broken God's law as it pertained to the feast, in their hearts they were earnestly seeking to return to God. "And the Lord listened to Hezekiah and healed the people." (Verse 20.)
God showed mercy to these people so dearly seeking Him. And He also gives us an indication that observance of the Mosaic Law is not as important as what is in our heart. Our motivation, in this case seeking God, weighs far more heavily in the balance than our blind adherence to ritual. Jesus confirmed this time and time again in His teachings. He is the Way, He tells us, and the only Way, for only through Him can we be reunited with our Father in heaven. Adherence to the law, or any other act on our part, cannot save us. Only our belief in Jesus gains us spiritual salvation. Prepare your heart to seek God. Seek Jesus with all that is in you. Amen.
Gracious Father, Hezekiah knew his people were not following Your law as handed out by Moses, so he prayed to You for mercy on them because he truly cared for them. And Lord, You looked into his heart and the people's hearts, and You knew their intent and their purpose, and You forgave them and healed them. Please, dear Lord, look into our hearts when we do something that displeases You. Forgive us our sin, for we seek You and Jesus with all our heart. In the holy name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
And the people responded to their king, coming to Jerusalem from all across Judah. Some who sought the Lord came from Israel, which had turned its back on God long ago. But many were not properly prepared to participate in the observances according to the law of Moses, including some priests of Judah who had not all sanctified themselves to God's service. The Levites bore the burden of administering all the rites of the Passover while the priests hurriedly sanctified themselves. Yet the people partook of the feast and ate of the Passover without being ritually cleansed, contrary to Mosaic Law. The exemplary leader, and in a real sense a true servant to his people, Hezekiah humbled himself before the Lord, pleading for atonement for his people, because even though in their innocence and their ignorance they had broken God's law as it pertained to the feast, in their hearts they were earnestly seeking to return to God. "And the Lord listened to Hezekiah and healed the people." (Verse 20.)
God showed mercy to these people so dearly seeking Him. And He also gives us an indication that observance of the Mosaic Law is not as important as what is in our heart. Our motivation, in this case seeking God, weighs far more heavily in the balance than our blind adherence to ritual. Jesus confirmed this time and time again in His teachings. He is the Way, He tells us, and the only Way, for only through Him can we be reunited with our Father in heaven. Adherence to the law, or any other act on our part, cannot save us. Only our belief in Jesus gains us spiritual salvation. Prepare your heart to seek God. Seek Jesus with all that is in you. Amen.
Gracious Father, Hezekiah knew his people were not following Your law as handed out by Moses, so he prayed to You for mercy on them because he truly cared for them. And Lord, You looked into his heart and the people's hearts, and You knew their intent and their purpose, and You forgave them and healed them. Please, dear Lord, look into our hearts when we do something that displeases You. Forgive us our sin, for we seek You and Jesus with all our heart. In the holy name of Jesus we pray. Amen.
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