30:1 Hezekiah sent messages throughout Israel and Judah; he even wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, summoning them to come to the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem and observe a Passover celebration for the Lord God of Israel.
According to the Mosaic Law, the Passover feast was supposed to have been observed annually in thankful commemoration of their deliverance from Egypt. It was observed during the days of Moses, but after his death, it was only observed sporadically throughout Israel’s history (but only at times when Judah possessed good kings).
The ten tribes of Israel had been taken captive by Assyria. There were some individuals of Israel who had escaped the Assyrian captivity. They were invited to Judah to attend the re-instituted Passover.
30:2 The king, his officials, and the entire assembly in Jerusalem decided to observe the Passover in the second month.
According to the Mosaic Law, the Passover was supposed to be offered on the fourteenth day of the first month of the religious year. However, there was a stipulation in the Law which allowed a one-month delay if necessary.
30:3 They were unable to observe it at the regular time because not enough priests had consecrated themselves and the people had not assembled in Jerusalem.
After the Assyrian Captivity, those Israelites who escaped were in chaos. They needed time to get their lives back together.
30:4 The proposal seemed appropriate to the king and the entire assembly.
The king and the assembly agreed that the one-month delay under these terrible circumstances was a valid option.
30:5 So they sent an edict throughout Israel from Beer Sheba to Dan, summoning the people to come and observe a Passover for the Lord God of Israel in Jerusalem, for they had not observed it on a nationwide scale as prescribed in the law.
“From Beer Sheba to Dan” was a metaphor meaning “from north to south.” All of the Israelite survivors were invited to participate in the Passover.
30:6 Messengers delivered the letters from the king and his officials throughout Israel and Judah. This royal edict read: “O Israelites, return to the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, so he may return to you who have been spared from the kings of Assyria.
By this time, many in Israel had been either slain or deported by the Assyrians, but there was still a significant “remnant” left in the land. Hezekiah invited them to the Passover and reminded them of the promises of the Abrahamic Covenant.
30:7 Don’t be like your fathers and brothers who were unfaithful to the Lord God of their ancestors, provoking him to destroy them, as you can see.
Israel was taken captive by the Assyrians, because they rejected Jehovah and worshiped demonic gods.
30:8 Now, don’t be stubborn like your fathers! Submit to the Lord and come to his sanctuary which he has permanently consecrated. Serve the Lord your God so that he might relent from his raging anger.
King Hezekiah reminded Israel that true worship of the one true God occurred at the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem.
30:9 For if you return to the Lord, your brothers and sons will be shown mercy by their captors and return to this land. The Lord your God is merciful and compassionate; he will not reject you if you return to him.”
Hezekiah reminded these surviving Israelites that if their captive nation returned to Jehovah, then Jehovah would bring them back into their land.
30:10 The messengers journeyed from city to city through the land of Ephraim and Manasseh as far as Zebulun, but people mocked and ridiculed them.
Hezekiah's messengers sent the word, but the Israelites mocked and ridiculed the message. Often, believers will bring a message of salvation to unbelievers, but the message will be received with ridicule. Unless the Holy Spirit changes the heart of the unbeliever, then mocking and ridicule will always occur. This is the doctrine of election and predestination. Only the elect will receive and believe the message.
30:11 But some men from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.
Even though most of Israel ridiculed the messengers, some did respond to the invitation. This shows that Judah did have members from all twelve tribes in their commonwealth. There were no lost tribes, as many cults and isms falsely teach.
30:12 In Judah God moved the people to unite and carry out the edict the king and the officers had issued at the Lord’s command.
Notice that the king sent out the invitation, but it was God who moved the people. Nothing can happen in the Christian life unless God moves first. The movements of the church are wasted unless God moves the people.
30:13 A huge crowd assembled in Jerusalem to observe the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the second month.
Israel was in captivity, but large crowds in Judah were celebrating the Passover.
30:14 They removed the altars in Jerusalem; they also removed all the incense altars and threw them into the Kidron Valley.
King Hezekiah removed all of the demonic altars in which his father had placed all over Judah.
30:15 They slaughtered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the second month. The priests and Levites were ashamed, so they consecrated themselves and brought burnt sacrifices to the Lord’s temple.
Many of the priests and Levites slaughtered the sacrifices at the temple, even though they were not ritually cleansed. They felt ashamed for breaking this part of the Mosaic Law.
30:16 They stood at their posts according to the regulations outlined in the law of Moses, the man of God. The priests were splashing the blood as the Levites handed it to them.
The splashing of blood was a disgusting sight. God portrayed the ugliness of sin graphically to his chosen people. Professional butchers know the ugliness of slaughter, but the average Christian does not have this graphic appreciation for the atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ.
30:17 Because many in the assembly had not consecrated themselves, the Levites slaughtered the Passover lambs of all who were ceremonially unclean and could not consecrate their sacrifice to the Lord.
Even though many of the Levites were ritually unclean, they still performed the sacrifices for the people.
30:18 The majority of the many people from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun were ceremonially unclean, yet they ate the Passover in violation of what is prescribed in the law. For Hezekiah prayed for them, saying: “May the Lord, who is good, forgive 30:19 everyone who has determined to follow God, the Lord God of his ancestors, even if he is not ceremonially clean according to the standards of the temple.”
Many of the parents under King Ahaz had not circumcised their children, making then all unclean. King Hezekiah personally prayed for them and asked God to forgive them. Moses was almost killed by God for not circumcising his second son.
30:0 The Lord responded favorably to Hezekiah and forgave the people.
Jehovah listened to the prayer and forgave His people. There are very few political leaders today who will pray privately for individuals.
30:21 The Israelites who were in Jerusalem observed the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great joy. The Levites and priests were praising the Lord every day with all their might.
This was the first Passover celebrated as a nation in a very long time. The Passover was a joyous family celebration which looked forward to the Messiah.
30:22 Hezekiah expressed his appreciation to all the Levites, who demonstrated great skill in serving the Lord. They feasted for the seven days of the festival, and were making peace offerings and giving thanks to the Lord God of their ancestors.
Hezekiah thanked the Levites for organizing the Passover feast.
30:23 The entire assembly then decided to celebrate for seven more days; so they joyfully celebrated for seven more days.
The entire nation of Judah was at the Passover. They were having such a great time, that they decided to extend the Passover another week. Most Christians want to leave church as soon as possible so that they can go eat lunch!
30:24 King Hezekiah of Judah supplied 1,000 bulls and 7,000 sheep for the assembly, while the officials supplied them with 1,000 bulls and 10,000 sheep. Many priests consecrated themselves.
King Hezekiah donated much of his royal flock for this special occasion.
30:25 The celebration included the entire assembly of Judah, the priests, the Levites, the entire assembly of those who came from Israel, the resident foreigners who came from the land of Israel, and the residents of Judah.
Notice that all twelve tribes were present at this celebration. There were no lost tribes, even though Israel had been taken into the Assyrian Captivity.
30:30:26 There was a great celebration in Jerusalem, unlike anything that had occurred in Jerusalem since the time of King Solomon son of David of Israel.
Hezekiah’s Passover was the greatest Passover celebration since the days of King Solomon and King David.
27 The priests and Levites got up and pronounced blessings on the people. The Lord responded favorably to them as their prayers reached his holy dwelling place in heaven.
The Levites blessed the people. Prayers were offered. Jehovah responded favorably to the prayers. God enjoys answering prayers. However, most Christians are not very interested in prayer meetings. They think that they have other priorities that are more important than prayer. Mature believers will study hard and pray hard. Bible teaching classes and prayer meetings should be joyful events.