Comments on 2 Chronicles 30 With the success of enjoining the leaders of Judah to return to the Lord, Hezekiah summons all of Israel up to the Temple. Having the political and religious leaders in line has obviously facilitated such an action. v1-12 Now that the Temple has been purged, the House is in order, and the leaders of Judah are in line, Hezekiah makes the next big step and restarts the observance of the Regalim (i.e., the three big Feasts of Ingathering, cf. Exod. 23:14-17) with the observance of Passover. v5 The JPS rendering is much clearer and poignant: 4 The king and the whole congregation thought it proper 5 to issue a decree and proclaim throughout all Israel from Beer- sheba to Dan that they come and keep the Passover for the Lord God of Israel in Jerusalem- not often did they act in accord with what was written. The tradition of gathering in to the Temple for Passover, as dictated by the Law, was not often observed in accordance with the Law as it was written. v6-9 contain the message Hezekiah sends throughout all of Israel. v9 "and will not turn his face away from you, if ye return unto him", the Lord was presently displeased with Israel because of their idolatry and they were suffering for it, cf. 29:8-10. The Semitism of turning one's face away means you are not in their favor, they are displeased with you so they look away. This is the same idea here with the Lord doing the looking. The same idea is commonly used in the OT, cf. Exod. 32:20, Deut. 31:17-18, Deut. 32:19-22, Psalms 27:8-9, 2 Chron. 7:14. v10-12 recount the mixed results of Hezekiah's summoning Israel up to the Temple. Some of them laugh them to scorn, while others humble themselves and return to the Temple. However, Judah is portrayed as universally returning to the Lord (some patriotism has probably leaked into the characterization as the author is certainly at Jerusalem). v13-27 The proposed observance of Passover goes over well with many people going up to the Temple. v14 In concordance with the renewal in the worship of the Lord, the idolatrous altars in Jerusalem are disposed of. v15 Those priests and Levites who did not heed the first call in 29:11, are now humiliated by their negligence and return to the service. In this case, these are swayed more by popular opnion than a sense of duty. v18-20 Those who came up to Jerusalem for the re-instituted Passover did not purify themselves as they should have (cf. Exod. 12, Num. 9), and the result was a plague came among the people. This is not surprising as the tradition of even observing Passover had been altogether dropped, so the finer details of such activities were certainly lost. However, Hezekiah intercedes for the people as they are in the process of repentance, and the Lord heals them. v21-23 The priests, Levites and people of Israel celebrate the week long festival of Passover well, and then choose to celebrate it an additional week. A similar sort of two week celebration occurred at the original dedication of the Temple (cf. 1 Kings 8:65), thus this rededication is rhetorically connected with the first dedication as v. 26 suggests. v24 In addition to whatever the people brought up to sacrifice, Hezekiah donates a considerable amount in addition to it. Naturally, the burnt offerings would be entirely consumed, but the other sacrifices were in part eaten by the people. So, the underlying implication is Hezekiah's donation of additional sacrifices supplied all of those who came up for the feast with plenty to eat. v26-27 The inhabitants of Jerusalem rejoice with the genuine joy of peace with God, as He has noted their return to Him. Copyright © 2002 by S. Kurt Neumiller . All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced in any form or by any means for commercial gain without the express written consent of the author. Digital or printed copies may be freely made and distributed for personal and public non-commercial use.