2Ch 29:2 | KingComments | STEP | Hezekiah, who is discussed in this chapter and the next three chapters, is the God-fearing son of a wicked father. By the providence of God, he has escaped that his father sacrifices him to the idols ( ). In Hezekiah we have a wonderful example of a revival. He shows the energy of faith, while in a later revival under Josiah in the last chapters of 2 Chronicles we will see a deep respect for the Scriptures. The history of Hezekiah is a striking example of revivals that have also taken place in the history of professing Christianity. But it is not so much an example of a revival which is about the conversion of sinners, but about the conversion of Christians, of lukewarm, sleepy Christians who are awakened again. We see these revivals in the reformation of the sixteenth century and the revival of the nineteenth century. In the reformation of the sixteenth century the emphasis is on the preaching of the Word of God. We see that, in picture, especially with Josiah. In the revival of the nineteenth century the emphasis is on the worship of the Father and the Son because of the work of the Son on the cross. We see that, in picture, especially in Hezekiah. In the history of Hezekiah the house of God is central. We see 1. the cleansing of the house of God (2 Chronicles 29); 2. the participating in the house of God (2 Chronicles 30); 3. the provisions for the house of God (2 Chronicles 31); 4. the protection of the house of God (2 Chronicles 32). In the revival under Hezekiah we can distinguish seven phases: 1. The reopening of the temple ( ). 2. The consecration of the Levites and priests ( ). 3. The cleansing of the temple ( ). 4. The sacrifices required for the dedication of the temple ( ). 5. Additional sacrifices as an expression of the joy of Hezekiah and the whole people ( ). 6. The celebration of the Passover (2 Chronicles 30). 7. The cleansing of the whole land (2 Chronicles 31). With the reign of Hezekiah, a time of blessing for the people begins that will last twenty-nine years ( ). The grace of God underlies this time, in which He undoubtedly allowed the mother of Hezekiah to play an important role. Her name, Abijah, means ‘Yahweh is my Father’. She is the daughter of Zechariah, which means “Yahweh remembers”. These names show the spiritual atmosphere in which Hezekiah has been raised. The result is that Hezekiah “did right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father David had done” ( ). The life of Hezekiah reminds us of everything in the life of David, the man after the heart of God. Hezekiah immediately shows what his heart goes out to. The first thing he does is to open again the doors of the house of the LORD ( ), which his father Ahaz closed ( ). A decisive testimony of a newly converted person is a wonderful testimony of the authenticity of conversion (cf. ; ). Hezekiah not only opens the doors, but also repairs them. He doesn’t, so to speak, throw the whole thing open so everyone can walk in easily, but also gives the doors their function again. A door should be opened for those who have a right to enter and should remain closed for those who are not allowed to enter. We can apply this to the service of the church, the house of God now. All those who belong to the church may partake of the service of the church. Those who do not belong to the church or members of the church who do not judge sin in their lives may not partake of it.

‏ 2 Chronicles 29:2

Introduction

Hezekiah, who is discussed in this chapter and the next three chapters, is the God-fearing son of a wicked father. By the providence of God, he has escaped that his father sacrifices him to the idols (2Chr 28:3). In Hezekiah we have a wonderful example of a revival. He shows the energy of faith, while in a later revival under Josiah in the last chapters of 2 Chronicles we will see a deep respect for the Scriptures.

The history of Hezekiah is a striking example of revivals that have also taken place in the history of professing Christianity. But it is not so much an example of a revival which is about the conversion of sinners, but about the conversion of Christians, of lukewarm, sleepy Christians who are awakened again. We see these revivals in the reformation of the sixteenth century and the revival of the nineteenth century. In the reformation of the sixteenth century the emphasis is on the preaching of the Word of God. We see that, in picture, especially with Josiah. In the revival of the nineteenth century the emphasis is on the worship of the Father and the Son because of the work of the Son on the cross. We see that, in picture, especially in Hezekiah.

In the history of Hezekiah the house of God is central. We see

1. the cleansing of the house of God (2 Chronicles 29);

2. the participating in the house of God (2 Chronicles 30);

3. the provisions for the house of God (2 Chronicles 31);

4. the protection of the house of God (2 Chronicles 32).

In the revival under Hezekiah we can distinguish seven phases:

1. The reopening of the temple (2Chr 29:3).

2. The consecration of the Levites and priests (2Chr 29:5-15).

3. The cleansing of the temple (2Chr 29:16-19).

4. The sacrifices required for the dedication of the temple (2Chr 29:20-30).

5. Additional sacrifices as an expression of the joy of Hezekiah and the whole people (2Chr 29:31-35).

6. The celebration of the Passover (2 Chronicles 30).

7. The cleansing of the whole land (2 Chronicles 31).

Hezekiah Becomes King

With the reign of Hezekiah, a time of blessing for the people begins that will last twenty-nine years (2Chr 29:1). The grace of God underlies this time, in which He undoubtedly allowed the mother of Hezekiah to play an important role. Her name, Abijah, means ‘Yahweh is my Father’. She is the daughter of Zechariah, which means “Yahweh remembers”. These names show the spiritual atmosphere in which Hezekiah has been raised.

The result is that Hezekiah “did right in the sight of the LORD, according to all that his father David had done” (2Chr 29:2). The life of Hezekiah reminds us of everything in the life of David, the man after the heart of God. Hezekiah immediately shows what his heart goes out to. The first thing he does is to open again the doors of the house of the LORD (2Chr 29:3), which his father Ahaz closed (2Chr 28:24). A decisive testimony of a newly converted person is a wonderful testimony of the authenticity of conversion (cf. Acts 9:20; Col 1:6).

Hezekiah not only opens the doors, but also repairs them. He doesn’t, so to speak, throw the whole thing open so everyone can walk in easily, but also gives the doors their function again. A door should be opened for those who have a right to enter and should remain closed for those who are not allowed to enter. We can apply this to the service of the church, the house of God now. All those who belong to the church may partake of the service of the church. Those who do not belong to the church or members of the church who do not judge sin in their lives may not partake of it.