Revival or Captivity? Lesson 3

2 Chronicles 29 Hezekiah’s first year, first month, he opened the doors of God’s temple He called the priests and Levites to consecrate themselves AND the Lord’s house He knew God’s wrath had come because of their sins 2 Chron. 29:8-9 and 2 Chron. 28:5-21

Numbers 18 Aaron and his sons were chosen by the Lord The priests were the ONLY ones who could take care of the temple’s furnishings. Even the Levites could not touch the holy things or they would die The priests were given certain portions for their food. The Levites collected the tithe from all Israel, then gave a tithe of that to the priests. ALL were warned and knew of the seriousness of their service

2 Chronicles 29:10-20 It was in Hezekiah’s heart to make a covenant with the Lord He began his revival with the spiritual leaders They had to consecrate themselves before they could enter the temple to clean and consecrate it Took 8 days for themselves: another 8 for the temple Then the princes, leaders of the people had to get ready for worship

Getting ready to worship First offerings were the sin offerings Then the musicians had to be stationed, ready for praise and worship Then the burnt offering Songs of worship were once again heard in the house of the Lord Deut. 17:18-20 Hezekiah knew what was required People were cleansed by their offerings The Levites were more diligent than the priests……

2 Chronicles 30 Hezekiah’s Passover is a good theme He invited ALL of Israel to the Passover in the 2 nd month of his rule! He sent letters with couriers He knew the character of His God: gracious and compassionate The couriers were laughed at, scorned and mocked Some people of the North humbled themselves and came Probably the first time they had ever been

Hezekiah’s Passover Consecration of priests and Levites Cleaning and consecration of the Lord’s house Sin offerings for the princes and all the people Musical praise and worship with burnt offerings Thank offerings from the people It was celebrated in GREAT numbers with great joy Celebrated another 7 days They prayed and the Lord heard

2 Chronicles 31 Hezekiah appointed…..people brought contributions 2 Chron. 30:27…their prayer reached to heaven! People began destroying the idolatrous things People needed to bring their tithes to the Levites who tithed to the priests….which they did In 3-4 months there were HEAPS Obedience because Hezekiah did what was good, right and true and he prospered He did everything with all of his heart for God

2 Kings 17:1-7 Hoshea king of Israel: Assyria took Samaria into exile Hoshea killed Pekah and was an evil king Paid tribute to Shalmaneser, king of Assyria Sent for help from him, but he put Hoshea in prison This was during Hezekiah’s 4 th – 6 th years of reign Hezekiah was the most righteous of all the kings of Judah

2 Kings 17:7-41 Verses 7-23 tell WHY exile came Verses Syncretism: The combination of different forms of belief or practice Revival in Judah, Exile in Israel and others were living in her land. They brought their own gods Lord sent lions to destroy them for idolatry in His land People asked for a priest to teach them Although they feared Him, they still served other gods

2 Kings 18:1-12 Hezekiah’s mother was Abi, Zechariah’s daughter 2 Chron. 26:5 Zechariah might have been Hezekiah’s maternal grandfather He did right according to all that David had done He trusted in the Lord like no other king of Judah He clung to the Lord He didn’t depart from following Him and kept His Law The Lord was with him and he prospered