Tag: passover

Pass It On

On By Judy GlasserIn JulyLeave a comment

“It only takes a spark to get a fire burning.”July 4 Pass it on

Anyone remember this old camp song?

The words echo through my mind as I read in 2 Chronicles about the ‘spark’ provided by King Hezekiah.

He cleansed the temple, assembled the Levites, reestablished service in the temple and invited everyone to Passover – even his estranged brothers in Israel.  The holy festival had not been observed for quite a while.

Because of Hezekiah’s efforts, a large crowd gathered to celebrate Passover.  Many people in the crowd couldn’t participate because they hadn’t consecrated themselves.  They weren’t prepared – they had gotten out of the habit.

Hezekiah prayed that God would pardon all of them even though they could not participate.  And God answered his prayer.

The crowd celebrated and rejoiced for 7 days.  Hezekiah encouraged the Levites by telling them what a great job they were doing in leading the people in worship.

Everything went so well that they decided to celebrate for another week.  There was great joy in Jerusalem and all were blessed by God.

It only takes a spark and Hezekiah provided it.  He organized an opportunity for people to put themselves into the presence of God.   And they found joy.  They found forgiveness.  They found love.

The same is true for us.  Whenever we seek God, we find him – he promises us that.  And we find joy.  And forgiveness.  And love.

Could you use a little more of any of those things today?

Draw us nearer, dear Father.

He Reached out…..

On By Judy GlasserIn July1 Comment

He took a chance.July 4 2013

After restoring the temple and reconsecrating it, King Hezekiah sent word out to his estranged brothers in Israel inviting them to come to the temple of the Lord in Jerusalem and celebrate the Passover with them.

Second Chronicles tell us that they had not been able to celebrate Passover in large numbers for a long time because not enough priests had consecrated themselves and the people had not assembled in Jerusalem.  Hezekiah was not only leading his own people in Judah back to God, he was also taking a huge risk by inviting the people of Israel.

But we read that he felt it was the right thing to do, so he sent couriers throughout Israel and Judah with a proclamation which started:

“People of Israel, return to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, that he may return to you…..

Yes, some people in Israel ridiculed him.

But others came. 

And we’re told that God gave Hezekiah’s people unity of mind so that they followed the word of the Lord and carried out the decree of the king – welcoming their brothers and celebrating Passover together as the people of God.

The first week of the celebration went so well, everyone decided to celebrate for another week.  We are told that there was ‘great joy’ in Jerusalem for those who were assembled.  All of the people were blessed by the priests before they went back to their homes.

We know the people were changed by this experience because we are told that, when they got home, they smashed their idols and the shrines.  They cut down the Asherah poles and destroyed the high places.

Hezekiah had been obedient.  He did what God asked him to do even though it was risky.  As a result, he started widespread religious reforms not only in his own country but also in Israel.

Please help us follow Hezekiah’s example, dear Father, as we reach out in your name.