II Chronicles 31: Revival, Restoration, and Responsible Stewardship
Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.
And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the Lord.
He appointed also the king’s portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of the Lord.
Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the Lord.
And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.
And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the Lord their God, and laid them by heaps.
In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month.
And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the Lord, and his people Israel.
Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps.
And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the Lord, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the Lord hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.
Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the Lord; and they prepared them,
And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was the next.
And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.
And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter toward the east, was over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of the Lord, and the most holy things.
And next him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small:
Beside their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even unto every one that entereth into the house of the Lord, his daily portion for their service in their charges according to their courses;
Both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their charges by their courses;
And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness:
Also of the sons of Aaron the priests, which were in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every several city, the men that were expressed by name, to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all that were reckoned by genealogies among the Levites.
And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the Lord his God.
And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.
II Chronicles 31 details the remarkable spiritual revival that swept through Judah under King Hezekiah's leadership. Following the reforms of the previous chapters, this chapter highlights the practical outworking of renewed faith: the restoration of proper worship, the people's generous giving, and Hezekiah's diligent administration. This section underscores the importance of both spiritual zeal and responsible stewardship in a thriving relationship with God.
Purging Idolatry and Re-establishing True Worship (II Chronicles 31:1)
The chapter opens with a renewed commitment to eliminating idolatry. After the Passover celebration, the people went throughout Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh, smashing sacred pillars, cutting down Asherah poles, and demolishing high places and altars. This thorough cleansing demonstrated a wholehearted turning away from false gods and a dedication to worshipping the Lord alone. This action reflects a deep desire to honor God and obey His commands, laying the foundation for spiritual renewal.
Restoring Temple Service and Support (II Chronicles 31:2-10)
Hezekiah understood that true worship required both a pure heart and proper structure. He re-established the divisions of the priests and Levites, ensuring that temple service was conducted in an orderly and effective manner (II Chronicles 31:2). This included assigning specific roles and responsibilities to each group, allowing them to focus on their designated tasks in worship.
Recognizing that those serving in the temple needed support, Hezekiah called upon the people to provide tithes and freewill offerings (II Chronicles 31:4). Hezekiah himself set an example of generosity (II Chronicles 31:3-4), inspiring the people to give abundantly. The response was overwhelming, with the people bringing the best of their produce: grain, new wine, fresh oil, honey, and all the produce of the field (II Chronicles 31:5). The offerings accumulated into large piles over a period of four months (II Chronicles 31:6-7). When Hezekiah and the leaders saw the abundance, they blessed the Lord and His people (II Chronicles 31:8), acknowledging that all blessings come from God. This outpouring of generosity demonstrated the people's renewed commitment to God and their willingness to support those dedicated to His service.
The priests and Levites were asked about the heaps of offerings, and Azariah the chief priest reported that since the people began to bring the offerings to the Lord's house, they have had enough to eat and plenty left over, for the Lord has blessed his people (II Chronicles 31:9-10).
Responsible Oversight and Distribution (II Chronicles 31:11-19)
Hezekiah didn't simply receive the offerings; he ensured they were managed responsibly. He appointed individuals to oversee the distribution of the contributions to the priests, Levites, and their families (II Chronicles 31:11-19). This careful administration demonstrated a commitment to fairness and transparency, ensuring that everyone received their due portion. This meticulous approach highlights the importance of wise stewardship in handling God's resources.
Hezekiah's Faithful Service (II Chronicles 31:20-21)
The chapter concludes with a powerful affirmation of Hezekiah's faithfulness. II Chronicles 31:20-21 states that in everything he did in the service of God’s temple and in his efforts to follow God’s law and commands, he sought the Lord wholeheartedly. As a result, he prospered. This serves as a reminder that genuine faith is not just about outward acts of worship but also about a sincere desire to please God in all aspects of life. Hezekiah's example encourages us to seek God wholeheartedly in all that we do, trusting that He will bless our efforts.
II Chronicles 31 offers a compelling picture of spiritual revival and its practical implications. It reminds us that genuine faith leads to a turning away from sin, a restoration of proper worship, generous giving, and responsible stewardship. Hezekiah's example inspires us to seek the Lord wholeheartedly and to live lives that are pleasing to Him.
Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.
And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the Lord.
He appointed also the king’s portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of the Lord.
Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the Lord.
And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.
And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the Lord their God, and laid them by heaps.
In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month.
And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the Lord, and his people Israel.
Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps.
And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the Lord, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the Lord hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.
Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the Lord; and they prepared them,
And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was the next.
And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.
And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter toward the east, was over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of the Lord, and the most holy things.
And next him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small:
Beside their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even unto every one that entereth into the house of the Lord, his daily portion for their service in their charges according to their courses;
Both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their charges by their courses;
And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness:
Also of the sons of Aaron the priests, which were in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every several city, the men that were expressed by name, to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all that were reckoned by genealogies among the Levites.
And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the Lord his God.
And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.
II Chronicles 31 details the remarkable spiritual revival that swept through Judah under King Hezekiah's leadership. Following the reforms of the previous chapters, this chapter highlights the practical outworking of renewed faith: the restoration of proper worship, the people's generous giving, and Hezekiah's diligent administration. This section underscores the importance of both spiritual zeal and responsible stewardship in a thriving relationship with God.
Purging Idolatry and Re-establishing True Worship (II Chronicles 31:1)
The chapter opens with a renewed commitment to eliminating idolatry. After the Passover celebration, the people went throughout Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh, smashing sacred pillars, cutting down Asherah poles, and demolishing high places and altars. This thorough cleansing demonstrated a wholehearted turning away from false gods and a dedication to worshipping the Lord alone. This action reflects a deep desire to honor God and obey His commands, laying the foundation for spiritual renewal.
Restoring Temple Service and Support (II Chronicles 31:2-10)
Hezekiah understood that true worship required both a pure heart and proper structure. He re-established the divisions of the priests and Levites, ensuring that temple service was conducted in an orderly and effective manner (II Chronicles 31:2). This included assigning specific roles and responsibilities to each group, allowing them to focus on their designated tasks in worship.
Recognizing that those serving in the temple needed support, Hezekiah called upon the people to provide tithes and freewill offerings (II Chronicles 31:4). Hezekiah himself set an example of generosity (II Chronicles 31:3-4), inspiring the people to give abundantly. The response was overwhelming, with the people bringing the best of their produce: grain, new wine, fresh oil, honey, and all the produce of the field (II Chronicles 31:5). The offerings accumulated into large piles over a period of four months (II Chronicles 31:6-7). When Hezekiah and the leaders saw the abundance, they blessed the Lord and His people (II Chronicles 31:8), acknowledging that all blessings come from God. This outpouring of generosity demonstrated the people's renewed commitment to God and their willingness to support those dedicated to His service.
The priests and Levites were asked about the heaps of offerings, and Azariah the chief priest reported that since the people began to bring the offerings to the Lord's house, they have had enough to eat and plenty left over, for the Lord has blessed his people (II Chronicles 31:9-10).
Responsible Oversight and Distribution (II Chronicles 31:11-19)
Hezekiah didn't simply receive the offerings; he ensured they were managed responsibly. He appointed individuals to oversee the distribution of the contributions to the priests, Levites, and their families (II Chronicles 31:11-19). This careful administration demonstrated a commitment to fairness and transparency, ensuring that everyone received their due portion. This meticulous approach highlights the importance of wise stewardship in handling God's resources.
Hezekiah's Faithful Service (II Chronicles 31:20-21)
The chapter concludes with a powerful affirmation of Hezekiah's faithfulness. II Chronicles 31:20-21 states that in everything he did in the service of God’s temple and in his efforts to follow God’s law and commands, he sought the Lord wholeheartedly. As a result, he prospered. This serves as a reminder that genuine faith is not just about outward acts of worship but also about a sincere desire to please God in all aspects of life. Hezekiah's example encourages us to seek God wholeheartedly in all that we do, trusting that He will bless our efforts.
II Chronicles 31 offers a compelling picture of spiritual revival and its practical implications. It reminds us that genuine faith leads to a turning away from sin, a restoration of proper worship, generous giving, and responsible stewardship. Hezekiah's example inspires us to seek the Lord wholeheartedly and to live lives that are pleasing to Him.