They assembled their brothers, consecrated themselves, and went in to cleanse the house of the Lord, according to the commandment of the king by the words of the Lord. (II Chronicles 29:15)
Put on you Sunday best and let’s get ready for a truly special occasion!!! Have you ever noticed that preparations for special events take much longer than the events themselves? We don’t see this any clearer than Hezekiah’s preparation to rededicate the Temple and the reestablishment of its services. The king set everything in its proper order, being careful to follow the instructions of Moses, David, Gad, David’s seer, and Nathan the prophet.
Have you noticed that when Israel diligently endeavored to repent and get on the right track, one of the first things to be reinstated was Passover? This was not just any mundane holiday, it was the covenant memorial meal God instituted to remind them of His preeminence in their lives and in the nation. They would not be where they were had God not chosen them and delivered them and brought them into the land. These were all His doings! God had said that this covenant memorial was to mark the beginning of days for them. How apropos that this should be the first national celebration recognized after the rededication of the Temple.
King Hezekiah understood that this covenant memorial was not just intended for the kingdom of Judah, but for all Israel and sent the invitation throughout the northern, as well as the southern kingdom.
I must admit that my heart really goes out to the messengers who had to carry the invitation. No matter how good the message, there are those unbelievers who prefer to hold on to their old ways and would rather ridicule the messengers than to follow God’s ways. Things haven’t changed!!! Thank God for people who hold on to God’s truths in the dark places, and who respond to His bidding, even when it’s not popular.
You may remember that God had ordered the king to copy the Law and the Word daily. It is obvious that Hezekiah took this seriously. The words of David and Solomon held a solemn place in his heart and he collected them as a constant reminder of God’s instructions. As we begin through his collection, we can see why these Proverbs and Psalms had such an impact on him. You may get a glimpse of Hezekiah’s heart, if you read them through his eyes.
On Thursday we are confronted with a proverb that goes against current popular teachings.
He who turns away his ear from listening to the Law, even his prayer is an abomination. (Proverbs 29:9)
How many times do we hear the ungodly eulogized or glorified merely because they said a prayer or used God’s name? Many will teach that God hears every prayer and answers each one? That teaching totally contradicts the words of Proverbs 29:9. God listens to the prayers of the obedient and the one who cries out in true repentance! Those who turn their backs and refuse to walk in His ways, yet say flowery prayers to make themselves feel better do not impress Him.
On Friday we cover some familiar territory. Who hasn’t heard a Mother’s Day message preached using Proverbs 31:10-31 as the text. These verses take on greater significance if we see them written in the Hebrew language. Each verse begins with a consecutive letter of the Hebrew alphabet starting with the first and ending with the last. This amazing passage is truly the “A” to “Z” of womanhood and God’s model of a Bride. To understand this from a spiritual perspective is to get a glimpse of the heart of Christ and His desire for a wife!
So much to see! So much to learn! Take your time and explore the passages. Enjoy the journey!!!
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