2 Chronicles Chapter 30: Verses 7-9 (NIV)
Do not be like your parents and your fellow Israelites, who were unfaithful to the Lord, the God of their ancestors, so that he made them an object of horror, as you see. Do not be stiff-necked, as your ancestors were; submit to the Lord. Come to his sanctuary, which he has consecrated forever. Serve the Lord your God, so that his fierce anger will turn away from you. If you return to the Lord, then your fellow Israelites and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will return to this land, for the Lord your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him.”
2 Chronicles Chapter 30: Verses 18-19 (NIV)
Although most of the many people who came from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the Lord, who is good, pardon everyone who sets their heart on seeking God—the Lord, the God of their ancestors—even if they are not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.”And the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people.
2 Chronicles Chapter 30: Verses 22 (NIV)
Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites, who showed good understanding of the service of the Lord. For the seven days they ate their assigned portion and offered fellowship offerings and praised the Lord, the God of their ancestors.
Hezekiah was a good king. Not only did he start off his reign seeking to follow God, like his ancestor King David, he encouraged his people to do the same, and not blindly follow the ways of their parents who had turned their backs on the things of God. He also encouraged all of Israel to once again come to worship in Jerusalem after so long a split between Israel and Judah, and although we read in the preceding chapters that some of the tribes in Israel mocked his invitation, we read that some did take up his invitation. We also read that some of these tribes had not properly prepared themselves to worship the Passover, and did not conduct themselves as they should have done. Perhaps they didn’t know how to. Hezekiah, however, intervened on their behalf. He also made sure to encourage those Levites who were beginning to grasp their calling and grow in their knowledge of God.
Hezekiah sets a good example for us to follow. We need to set our resolve to seek God for ourselves, regardless of whether we come from a Christian background or not. Nowadays many people have not grown up with any kind of understanding of the Christian faith, or even how to conduct themselves in a church service. They may not behave the way we think they should, but we must show them the same mercy and grace that Hezekiah showed the Israelites. After all, we want them to find God, not turn them away. And once they do, and begin to grow in their knowledge and faith, they will begin to change, because God will speak to them. Our job will be to do all we can to encourage them on their journey.
Dear Lord,
What a good role model of mercy, grace and encouragement Hezekiah sets here. Help me to do the same. I pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen.