Day 199 of My 3rd Bible Study Journey - 18 July 2023 reflections
Day 199, 18 July 2023
1) 2 Kings 18:1-8, 2 Chronicles 29, 30, 31, Psalms 48
2 Chronicles 32:1-8
2 Kings 18:13-18
Isaiah 36:1-3
2 Kings 18:19-37
Isaiah 36:4-22
2 Kings 18:1-8
2 Kings 18
Hezekiah, King of Judah
2Ch 29:1-2; 31:1, 20-21; 2Ki 17:3-7
1 In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel,
Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, became king.
2 He was twenty-five years old when he became king,
and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abi
daughter of Zechariah.
3 (2Ki 20:3) He did what was right in the sight of the Lord,
according to everything that David his father had done.
4 (2Ch 31:1; Nu 21:8-9) He removed the high places, broke down the sacred
pillars, cut down the Asherah poles, and crushed the bronze serpent that Moses
had made, for until those days the children of Israel had made offerings to it.
They called it Nehushtan.
5 (2Ki 19:10; 23:25) He trusted in the Lord God of Israel. Afterwards,
there was no one like him among all the kings of Judah
or among those who were before him.
6 (Dt 10:20; Jos 23:8) He clung to the Lord. He did not depart from
following him, but kept His commandments, which the Lord commanded Moses.
7 (1Sa 18:14; 2Ki 16:7; Ge 39:2-3) The Lord was with him. Wherever he went,
he prospered. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him.
8 (2Ki 17:9; Isa 14:29) He struck the Philistines as far as Gaza
and its territory, from watchtower to fortified city.
[1] Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of
Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.
[2] Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned
twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Abi, the
daughter of Zachariah.
[3] And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to
all that David his father did.
[4] He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the
groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto
those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it
Nehushtan.
[5] He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like
him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him.
[6] For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept
his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses.
[7] And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went
forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not.
[8] He smote the Philistines, even unto Gaza, and the borders thereof, from
the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.
2 Chronicles 29:1-2
2 Chronicles 29
Hezekiah, King of Judah
2Ki 18:2-3
1 (2Ki 18:1-3; 1Ch 3:13) Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he began
to reign, and he was king in Jerusalem for twenty-nine years.
The name of his mother was Abijah [Or Abi in 2Ki 18:2.]
the daughter of Zechariah.
2 And he did what was correct in the eyes of the Lord
just as his father David had done.
[1] Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty years old, and he
reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was
Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah.
[2] And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to
all that David his father had done.
2 Chronicles 29:3-36,30,31
2 Chronicles 29
Hezekiah Cleanses the Temple
3 (2Ch 28:24; 29:7) And in the first year and first month of his reign
he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and restored them.
4 He then brought in the priests and Levites and gathered them in the square
on the eastern side
5 (2Ch 35:6; 1Ch 15:12) and said to them, "Listen to me, Levites.
Consecrate yourselves and consecrate the house of the Lord God
of your fathers. And bring out the detestable things
from the holy sanctuary.
6 (Eze 8:16; Jer 2:27) For our fathers have acted unfaithfully
and have done what is evil in the eyes of the Lord our God,
and they have abandoned Him. They have turned their face
from the sanctuary of the Lord and have turned their back.
7 (2Ch 28:24) They also shut the doors of the vestibule
and have extinguished the lamps, nor have they burned incense
or burnt offerings in the Holy Place to the God of Israel.
8 (Jer 25:9; 25:18) Therefore the wrath of the Lord has come on Judah
and Jerusalem for a terror, horror, and scorn as you all can see
with your own eyes.
9 (2Ch 28:17; 28:5-8) Observe, our fathers have fallen by the sword,
and now our sons, daughters, and wives are in captivity for all this.
10 (2Ch 23:16) Now it is in my heart to make a covenant
with the Lord God of Israel so that His burning anger might turn away from us.
11 My people, do not now be negligent for the Lord has chosen you all
to stand in His presence, to serve Him, and to be ministers
and make sacrifices for Him."
12 Then the Levites arose:
from the Kohathites,
Mahath son of Amasai and Joel son of Azariah;
from the Merarites,
Kish son of Abdi and Azariah son of Jehallelel;
from the Gershonites,
Joah son of Zimmah and Eden son of Joah;
13 (1Ch 6:39; 15:8) from the descendants of Elizaphan,
Shimri and Jeiel;
from the descendants of Asaph,
Zechariah and Mattaniah;
14 (1Ch 6:33) from the descendants of Heman,
Jehiel and Shimei;
from the descendants of Jeduthun,
Shemaiah and Uzziel.
15 (2Ch 30:12; 1Ch 23:28) So they gathered their brothers together
and consecrated themselves and entered in as the king commanded
by the words of the Lord in order to cleanse the house of the Lord.
16 (2Ch 15:16) Then the priests came into the inner part of the house
of the Lord to cleanse it, and they removed everything that they found
that was unclean in the main hall of the temple of the Lord to the court.
And the Levites took those things and brought them out to the Kidron Valley.
17 They began to consecrate themselves on the first day of the first month,
and on the eighth day of the month they entered the vestibule of the Lord.
They consecrated the house of the Lord for eight days. Then on the 16th day
of the first month they completed the task.
18 Then they came toward Hezekiah the king and said, "We have cleaned
the entire house of the Lord,
the altar of burnt offerings and all its utensils,
and the table for showbread and all its utensils.
19 (2Ch 28:24) All the vessels that King Ahaz discarded from use
during his reign in his treachery we have prepared and consecrated.
They are before the altar of the Lord."
Hezekiah Restores Temple Worship
20 So King Hezekiah got up early and gathered the officials of the city
and went up to the house of the Lord.
21 (Lev 4:3-14) And he brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs,
and seven male goats for a sin offering for the kingdom, sanctuary,
and Judah. Then he commanded the priests, the sons of Aaron, to offer
them up on the altar of the Lord.
22 (Lev 4:18; 8:19) So they slaughtered the bulls, and the priests
took their blood and sprinkled it on the altar and then slaughtered
the rams and sprinkled their blood on the altar. They did the same
for the lambs.
23 (Lev 4:15) And they brought the male goats for a sin offering
before the king and the assembly, and they placed their hands on the goats.
24 And the priests slaughtered them and purified the altar with their blood
to provide atoning reconciliation for all Israel because the king said
that the burnt offering and sin offering would be for all Israel.
25 (2Ch 8:14; 2Sa 24:11) And he set the Levites at the house of the Lord
with cymbals, harps, and lyres according to the commandment of David,
and Gad the seer of the king, and Nathan the prophet.
For the commandment came from the Lord through His prophets.
26 (1Ch 23:5; 15:24) So the Levites stood with the instruments of David
and the priests with the trumpets.
27 (2Ch 23:18) Then Hezekiah gave the command to offer the burnt offering
on the altar. When they started the burnt offering, the song of the Lord began
also, with the trumpets and the instruments of David, king of Israel.
28 The entire assembly worshipped, the singers sang, and the trumpeters
sounded. All of this took place until the burnt offering was finished.
29 (2Ch 20:18) When the burnt offering was finished, the king and all those
with him bowed down and worshipped.
30 Then Hezekiah the king and the officials ordered the Levites
to praise the Lord with the words of David and Asaph the seer.
So they praised with gladness and bowed down to worship.
31 (2Ch 13:9; Ex 35:22) Then Hezekiah responded, "Now you have dedicated
yourselves to the Lord. Come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings
to the house of the Lord." So the assembly brought sacrifices
and thank offerings, and all who had a willing heart brought burnt offerings.
32 The number of the burnt offerings that the assembly brought was seventy
bulls, one hundred rams, and two hundred lambs;
all these were for a burnt offering to the Lord.
33 The consecrated animals were six hundred bulls and three thousand sheep.
34 (2Ch 30:3; 35:11) However there were too few priests, and they were
not able to skin the burnt offerings. But their brothers the Levites
helped them until the work was finished and more priests consecrated
themselves, for the Levites were more upright in heart to consecrate
themselves than the priests.
35 (Nu 15:5-10; Ex 29:13) Also burnt offerings were in abundance with the fat
of the peace offerings and the drink offerings for the burnt offerings.
So the service of the house of the Lord was set in order.
36 Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced that God had prepared the people,
since the events happened suddenly.
[3] He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors
of the house of the LORD, and repaired them.
[4] And he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them
together into the east street,
[5] And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and
sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the
filthiness out of the holy place.
[6] For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the
eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their
faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs.
[7] Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps,
and have not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy place
unto the God of Israel.
[8] Wherefore the wrath of the LORD was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he
hath delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and to hissing, as ye see
with your eyes.
[9] For, lo, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our
daughters and our wives are in captivity for this.
[10] Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel,
that his fierce wrath may turn away from us.
[11] My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand
before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn
incense.
[12] Then the Levites arose, Mahath the son of Amasai, and Joel the son of
Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites: and of the sons of Merari, Kish the
son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehalelel: and of the Gershonites; Joah
the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah:
[13] And of the sons of Elizaphan; Shimri, and Jeiel: and of the sons of
Asaph; Zechariah, and Mattaniah:
[14] And of the sons of Heman; Jehiel, and Shimei: and of the sons of
Jeduthun; Shemaiah, and Uzziel.
[15] And they gathered their brethren, and sanctified themselves, and came,
according to the commandment of the king, by the words of the LORD, to
cleanse the house of the LORD.
[16] And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD, to
cleanse it, and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the
temple of the LORD into the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites
took it, to carry it out abroad into the brook Kidron.
[17] Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on
the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the LORD: so they
sanctified the house of the LORD in eight days; and in the sixteenth day of
the first month they made an end.
[18] Then they went in to Hezekiah the king, and said, We have cleansed all
the house of the LORD, and the altar of burnt offering, with all the vessels
thereof, and the shewbread table, with all the vessels thereof.
[19] Moreover all the vessels, which king Ahaz in his reign did cast away in
his transgression, have we prepared and sanctified, and, behold, they are
before the altar of the LORD.
[20] Then Hezekiah the king rose early, and gathered the rulers of the city,
and went up to the house of the LORD.
[21] And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and
seven he goats, for a sin offering for the kingdom, and for the sanctuary,
and for Judah. And he commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them
on the altar of the LORD.
[22] So they killed the bullocks, and the priests received the blood, and
sprinkled it on the altar: likewise, when they had killed the rams, they
sprinkled the blood upon the altar: they killed also the lambs, and they
sprinkled the blood upon the altar.
[23] And they brought forth the he goats for the sin offering before the
king and the congregation; and they laid their hands upon them:
[24] And the priests killed them, and they made reconciliation with their
blood upon the altar, to make an atonement for all Israel: for the king
commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for
all Israel.
[25] And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with
psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of
Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of
the LORD by his prophets.
[26] And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests
with the trumpets.
[27] And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the altar. And
when the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD began also with the
trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel.
[28] And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the
trumpeters sounded: and all this continued until the burnt offering was
finished.
[29] And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were
present with him bowed themselves, and worshipped.
[30] Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to
sing praise unto the LORD with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer.
And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and
worshipped.
[31] Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated yourselves
unto the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the
house of the LORD. And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank
offerings; and as many as were of a free heart burnt offerings.
[32] And the number of the burnt offerings, which the congregation brought,
was threescore and ten bullocks, an hundred rams, and two hundred lambs:
all these were for a burnt offering to the LORD.
[33] And the consecrated things were six hundred oxen and three thousand
sheep.
[34] But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt
offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work
was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the
Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.
[35] And also the burnt offerings were in abundance, with the fat of the
peace offerings, and the drink offerings for every burnt offering. So the
service of the house of the LORD was set in order.
[36] And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the
people: for the thing was done suddenly.
2 Chronicles 30
Hezekiah Celebrates the Passover
1 And Hezekiah sent word to all Israel and Judah. He even wrote letters
to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they come to the house of the Lord
in Jerusalem to keep the Passover to the Lord God of Israel.
2 (Nu 9:10-11) The king counseled with his officials and all the assembly
in Jerusalem to have the Passover in the second month.
3 (2Ch 29:34; Ex 12:6) For they were not able to have it at the appropriate
time of the first month because a sufficient amount of priests had not
consecrated themselves, nor had the people assembled yet in Jerusalem.
4 And this matter was pleasing in the eyes of the king and all the assembly.
5 (Jdg 20:1) So they decreed to make a proclamation throughout all Israel,
from Beersheba to Dan, that they come to keep the Passover to the Lord God
of Israel in Jerusalem, for the multitude of people did not do
as it was written.
6 (Est 8:14; Jer 51:31) So couriers ran throughout all Israel and Judah
with a letter from the hand of the king and his officials
as a command from the king:
"Sons of Israel, return to the Lord of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel
that He might turn to the remnant who has escaped from the king of Assyria.
7 (2Ch 29:8) Do not act like your fathers and brothers who were faithless
before the Lord God of their fathers, and He appointed them for horror,
as you observe.
8 (Ex 32:9; 2Ch 29:10) So now do not harden your necks as your fathers,
but give yourselves to the Lord and come to the sanctuary
that He has consecrated permanently. Serve the Lord your God so that
His burning anger might turn away from you all.
9 (Ex 34:6-7; Ps 106:46) Because if you return to the Lord, your brothers
and children will find compassion before those who have taken them captive,
in order to return you to this land. For the Lord your God is gracious
and compassionate. He will not turn His face from you
if you all return to Him."
10 (2Ch 36:16; 30:6) So the couriers ran from city to city in the land
of Ephraim and Manasseh and up to Zebulun, but the people laughed
at them and mocked them.
11 (2Ch 30:18; 30:21) However some men from Asher, Manasseh,
and Zebulun humbled themselves and journeyed to Jerusalem.
12 (Php 2:13; Jer 32:39) And even in Judah the hand of God was on them
to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king
and officials by the word of the Lord.
13 And many people assembled in Jerusalem to have
the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the second month.
There was a very large assembly.
14 (2Ch 28:24; 2Sa 15:23) They went out and removed the altars
that were in Jerusalem, and they took away all the incense altars
and threw them into the Kidron Valley.
15 (2Ch 29:34) They slaughtered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day
of the second month. The priests and Levites were ashamed,
and they consecrated themselves and brought in burnt offerings
to the house of the Lord.
16 (Dt 33:1; 2Ch 35:15) They stood at their places according
to the Law of Moses, the man of God; the priests sprinkled the blood
they received from the hands of the Levites.
17 (2Ch 29:34) For there were many in the assembly
who had consecrated themselves, so the Levites slaughtered
the Passover lamb for those who were not clean in order to consecrate
the people to the Lord.
18 For a multitude of the people-many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar,
and Zebulun-had not purified themselves. For they ate of the Passover
contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed over them saying,
"The Lord is good, and may He pardon
19 (2Ch 19:3) everyone who sets his heart to seek God, the Lord God
of his fathers, but is not pure according the rules of the holy sanctuary."
20 So the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people.
21 (Ex 12:15; 13:6) Then the sons of Israel present in Jerusalem kept
the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great joy,
and the Levites and priests praised the Lord every day,
singing with loud instruments to the Lord.
22 (2Ch 32:6; Ne 9:3) Then Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites
who taught the good knowledge of the Lord. So they ate for the appointed
seven days, sacrificing peace offerings and giving thanks to the Lord God
of their fathers.
23 (1Ki 8:65; 2Ch 7:9) Then the whole assembly counseled to have the feast
for another seven days, so they had seven more days of gladness.
24 (2Ch 29:34; 35:7-8) For Hezekiah king of Judah lifted up for the assembly
one thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep. And the officials offered up
for the assembly one thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep.
And a multitude of priests consecrated themselves.
25 (2Ch 30:11; 30:18) So all the assembly of Judah and the priests
and Levites and all the assembly who came from Israel rejoiced,
even the sojourners who came from the land of Israel
and those who resided in Judah.
26 (2Ch 7:8-10) And there was a great rejoicing in Jerusalem,
for since the days of Solomon son of David king of Israel
there had not been anything like this.
27 (Dt 26:15; Ps 68:5) Then the priests and Levites went out
and blessed the people, and their voices were heard.
And their prayers came up to His holy habitation in the heavens.
[1] And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to
Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at
Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel.
[2] For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the
congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month.
[3] For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not
sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered
themselves together to Jerusalem.
[4] And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation.
[5] So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel,
from Beer-sheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto
the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time
in such sort as it was written.
[6] So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes
throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the
king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of
Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that
are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.
[7] And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which
trespassed against the LORD God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up
to desolation, as ye see.
[8] Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves
unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for
ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn
away from you.
[9] For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children
shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall
come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful,
and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.
[10] So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim
and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked
them.
[11] Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled
themselves, and came to Jerusalem.
[12] Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the
commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD.
[13] And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of
unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation.
[14] And they arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all
the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron.
[15] Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second
month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified
themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD.
[16] And they stood in their place after their manner, according to the law
of Moses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood, which they
received of the hand of the Levites.
[17] For there were many in the congregation that were not sanctified:
therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for
every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto the LORD.
[18] For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh,
Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the
passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them,
saying, The good LORD pardon every one
[19] That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers,
though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.
[20] And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.
[21] And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the
feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites
and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with loud instruments
unto the LORD.
[22] And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the
good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven
days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of
their fathers.
[23] And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they
kept other seven days with gladness.
[24] For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a thousand
bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation
a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests
sanctified themselves.
[25] And all the congregation of Judah, with the priests and the Levites,
and all the congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that
came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced.
[26] So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the
son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem.
[27] Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their
voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even
unto heaven.
2 Chronicles 31
1 (2Ki 18:4; 2Ch 32:12) And when this celebration was finished,
all of Israel that was present went out to the cities of Judah
and smashed the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah poles
and tore down the high places and the altars throughout all Judah
and Benjamin, and in Ephraim and Manasseh, until everything
was destroyed. Then all Israel returned to their cities,
each man to his own possession.
Temple Contributions
2Ki 18:5-7
2 (1Ch 24:1) And Hezekiah set up the divisions of the priests
and Levites according to their divisions, each man as he worked
among the priests and Levites for burnt and fellowship offerings,
to serve, give thanks, and offer praise at the gates of the camp of the Lord.
3 (2Ch 35:7; Eze 45:17) And the portion of the king that came from his own
possessions was for burnt offerings, those given in the morning and evening,
and those given for Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts,
as written in the Law of the Lord.
4 (Mal 2:7; Nu 18:8-21) And he ordered those people living in Jerusalem
to give a portion for the priests and Levites, in order for them to devote
themselves to the Law of the Lord.
5 (Ne 13:12; Nu 18:12) And when the command spread, the sons of Israel
gave generously the first fruits of grain, wine, oil, honey,
and all the produce of the field. And they brought in abundance
a tenth portion of everything.
6 (Lev 27:30; Dt 14:28) And the sons of Israel and Judah
and all who dwelled in the cities of Judah also brought in a tenth portion
of cattle and sheep, and a tenth portion of the consecrated items
that were to the Lord their God, and brought them in and set them
in great piles.
7 In the third month they began to assign the piles of contribution,
and they finished in the seventh month.
8 When Hezekiah and the officials saw the contribution piles,
they blessed the Lord and His people Israel.
9 Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and Levites
regarding the contribution piles.
10 (Mal 3:10; 1Ch 6:8) Azariah the head priest from the house of Zadok
said, "Since they began to bring the contributions into the house of the Lord,
there has been plenty of food and a large amount left over.
For the Lord has blessed His people, and this great abundance is left over."
11 Then Hezekiah ordered them to prepare chambers in the house of the Lord,
and they did this.
12 (2Ch 35:9) They reliably brought in the contributions, tenth portions,
and consecrated items. The leader over them was Konaniah the Levite,
and Shimei his brother was second to him.
13 And Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismakiah,
Mahath, and Benaiah were supervisors under Konaniah and Shimei his brother
by the appointment of Hezekiah the king
and Azariah the leader of the house of God.
14 And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite was gatekeeper for the East Gate
and over the voluntary offerings to God, to designate the contributions
of the Lord and most holy offerings.
15 (Jos 21:9-19) Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah,
and Shekaniah reliably assisted him in the cities of the priests
to distribute the portions to their brothers by division,
both great and small.
16 (Ezr 3:4) Besides those males registered from three years old and above,
they distributed to all who entered into the house of the Lord his daily
portion, for their services according to their duties and their divisions.
17 (1Ch 23:24; 23:27) The registration of the priests was according
to the house of their fathers and the Levites from twenty years and above,
according to their duties and their divisions.
18 They were registered with all their little children, wives, sons,
and daughters for the entire assembly for they consecrated
themselves in faithfulness.
19 (2Ch 31:12-15; Lev 25:34) Also for the sons of Aaron, the priests,
who were in the fields of common land of their cities,
there were men in each city who were designated by name to allocate
portions to every male among the priests and to everyone
who was registered by genealogy among the Levites.
20 (2Ki 20:3; 22:2) Hezekiah did this throughout all Judah,
and he did what was good and just and faithful before the Lord his God.
21 And in every deed that he undertook in the service of the house of God
and with the law and commandment to seek out his God,
he did this with all his heart, and he found success.
[1] 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.
[2] 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.
[3] 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.
[4] 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.
[5] 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 fields; and the tithe of all things brought they
in abundantly.
[6] 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.
[7] In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and
finished them in the seventh month.
[8] And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed
the LORD, and his people Israel.
[9] Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the
heaps.
[10] 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.
[11] Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD;
and they prepared them,
[12] 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.
[13] 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.
[14] 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.
[15] 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:
[16] 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;
[17] 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;
[18] 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:
[19] 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.
[20] And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was
good and right and truth before the LORD his God.
[21] 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.
Psalms 48
A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.
1 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised
in the city of our God, in His holy mountain.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Beautiful in elevation,
the joy of the whole earth,
is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north,
the city of the great King.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) God is known in her citadels
as a refuge.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) For the kings were assembled,
they passed by together.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) They saw it, and so they were astounded;
they were alarmed, they hurried away.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) Trembling seized them there,
and pain like a woman in labor;
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) You break the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) As we have heard, so have we seen
in the city of the Lord of Hosts, in the city of our God;
God will establish it forever. Selah
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) We have thought of Your lovingkindness, O God,
in the midst of Your temple.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) According to Your name, O God,
so is Your praise to the ends of the earth;
Your right hand is full of righteousness.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) May Mount Zion rejoice,
may the daughters of Judah be glad, because of Your judgments.
12 Walk about Zion, and go round about her; count her towers;
13 mark well her bulwarks; consider her citadels;
that you may tell it to the generation following.
14 For this God is our God forever and ever;
He will be our guide even to death.
Psalm 48
A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah.
[1] Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in
the mountain of his holiness.
[2] Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on
the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
[3] God is known in her palaces for a refuge.
[4] For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.
[5] They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted
away.
[6] Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.
[7] Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.
[8] As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in
the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.
[9] We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy
temple.
[10] According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the
earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.
[11] Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of
thy judgments.
[12] Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.
[13] Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell
it to the generation following.
[14] For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even
unto death.
2) Our Daily Bread for 18 July 2023 Titled
Doing Something Right
2 Chronicles 33:10-16
Manasseh's Repentance
10 The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they did not pay attention.
11 So the Lord brought on them the officials
of the army of the king of Assyria. They captured Manasseh with hooks,
and they bound him in bronze chains and led him to Babylon.
12 And when he was distressed, he entreated the face of the Lord his God,
and he greatly humbled himself before the God of his fathers.
13 And he prayed to God, and He was moved and responded
to his plea and returned him to Jerusalem to his kingdom.
Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.
14 After this he built an outer wall for the City of David, west of Gihon,
in the valley and toward the entrance of the Fish Gate, where it went
around Ophel, and raised it to a very great height. Then he positioned
military commanders in all the fortified cities in Judah.
15 And he removed the foreign gods and statues from the house of the Lord,
and all the altars that he built on the hill of the house of the Lord
and Jerusalem, and he cast them outside the city.
16 He also restored the altar of the Lord, and he sacrificed fellowship and
thanksgiving offerings, and he ordered Judah to serve the Lord God of Israel.
[10] And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not
hearken.
[11] Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the
king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with
fetters, and carried him to Babylon.
[12] And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and
humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,
[13] And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his
supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then
Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.
[14] Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west
side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and
compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put
captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah.
[15] And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the
LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the
LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city.
[16] And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace
offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of
Israel.
The letter from "Jason" an inmate, surprised my wife and me. We "foster"
puppies to become service dogs to assist people with disabilities. One such
puppy had graduated to the next training phase, which was run by prisoners
who've been taught how to train the dogs. Jason's letter to us expressed
sorrow for his past, but then he said, "Snickers is the seventeenth dog
I've trained, and she is the best one. When I see her looking up at me,
I feel like I'm finally doing something right."
Jason isn't the only one with regrets. We all have them. Manasseh, king
of Judah, had plenty. Second Chronicles 33 outlines some of his atrocities:
building sexually explicit altars to pagan gods (v. 3), practicing witchcraft,
and sacrificing his own children (v. 6). He led the entire nation down this
sordid path (v. 9).
"The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention"
(v. 10). Eventually, God got his attention. The Assyrians invaded, "put a hook
in his nose . . . and took him to Babylon" (v. 11). Next, Manasseh finally did
something right. "He sought the favour of the Lord his God and humbled himself
greatly" (v. 12). God heard him and restored him as king. Manasseh replaced
the pagan practices with worship of the one true God (vv. 15-16).
Do your regrets threaten to consume you? It's not too late.
God hears our humble prayer of repentance.
By: Tim Gustafson
Reflect & Pray
What regrets do you have? How might you honour God by letting
Him redeem them and use you to serve Him?
Thank You, Father, that You're always ready to hear my honest prayers.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 3 - The Promise of Completion
Philippians 1:6
6 (1Co 1:8; Jn 6:29) I am confident of this very thing,
that He who began a good work in you will perfect it
until the day of Jesus Christ.
6 being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun
a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
"Elizabeth is a good student", the note on the side of the report card read,
"but she doesn't finish what she starts. She has a lot of good ideas, but
rarely brings then to completion."
Many of us are like Elizabeth. We start into a new venture with high hopes
and great motivation. But somewhere along the way, we become discouraged.
Someone tells us that our ideas are stupid, or that we are not capable of
doing what we dream. We get a particularly difficult hurdle and give up.
Sometimes we fell the Christian like is like that, too. We start well, and
believe that in Christ we can accomplish anything. But then our prayers
become rote, our Bible reading ritual. We can't seem to regain that sense
of God's presence; we have, we conclude, "Lost our first love." (Rev 2)
But God has a different perspective. He began the work of salvation in us;
he leads and guides us in his will, and he will complete what he has begun.
Often we fail to see God's grace in the ongoing process of walking with him
because his agenda is different from ours. We know what we want to see
happen in our lives; God knows what needs to happen.
"When I fist came into a relationship with Christ," one woman explained,
"I knew I had a lot of changing to do. But, strangely enough, the things God
changed weren't on my list at all!"
When God begins his work in our lives, he has a plan for our maturity.
He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. And what God
has begun, he will finish.
Application
a) Have I ever tried to "decide" for God what problems in my life
needed dealing with?
b) Has God ever pointed out issues that were a surprise to me?
c) How can today's verse help me relax in God's will and
have confidence in the direction of my life?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Gal 3:13-14
13 (Dt 21:23; Gal 4:5) Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by
being made a curse for us - as it is written,
"Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" (Dt 21:23.)-
14 (Ac 2:33; Gal 3:2) so that the blessing of Abraham might come
on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise
of the Spirit through faith.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse
for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus
Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Guiding Presence
Ps 119:105-112
Nun
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it,
that I will keep Your righteous judgments.
107 I am greatly afflicted;
revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.
108 Accept the freewill offerings of my praise, O Lord,
and teach me Your judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand,
yet I do not forget Your law.
110 The wicked have laid a trap for me,
yet I do not depart from Your precepts.
111 Your testimonies are my inheritance forever,
for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes always,
even unto the end.
Nun
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
And a light unto my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it,
That I will keep thy righteous judgments.
107 I am afflicted very much:
Quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD,
And teach me thy judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand:
Yet do I not forget thy law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me:
Yet I erred not from thy precepts.
111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever:
For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes
Alway, even unto the end.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Where do Muslims live?
Canada is a land of immigrants. And Muslims are coming in increasing numbers
to our shores. Where do they live? How can we pray for these areas? Use this as
your more effectively for Muslims in Canada.
Data for those population figures is extrapolated for the 2011 National
Household Survey and population growth projections by Pew Forum. These have
also been adjusted by +40% as reliable sources state that on 60% of Muslims
self-identify on government surveys and forms. These estimates are still on
the conservative end of the spectrum. Percentages represent that of the total
Canadian population, not provincial
BC - 136493 - 7.5%
AB - 195240 - 11%
SK - 17279 - 1%
MB - 21349 - 1.2%
ON - 1001542 - 55%
QC - 418946 - 23%
NB - 4543 - 0.003%
NS - 14629 - 0.1%
PEI - 1127 - 0.0006%
NFLD - 2065 - 0.001%
Yukon - 69 - 0.00004%
NWT - 473 - 0.0003%
NU - 86 - 0.00005%
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,
"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]
Footnotes
Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
And
Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.
"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.
Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.
As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.
Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.
I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
ROMANS 15:13
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
18th Day of the Month
a) Pray that pastors will experience spiritual, emotional and physical
refreshing for the presence of the Lord
( Jer 31:25
25 For I satiate the weary souls and I replenish every languishing soul.
25 For I have satiated the weary soul,
and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.
)
b) Pray that the Lord will protect and deliver our nation from
danger and adversity
( Ps 34:7
7 The angel of the Lord camps around those who fear Him,
and delivers them.
7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him,
And delivereth them.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to be a reformer like Hezekiah.
Pray to the Lord: "Thank You, Father, that You're always ready to hear my
honest prayers. "
Pray to the Lord and pray to have confidence in all the He does.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know as redeemer.
Pray to the Lord and pray to Know that His word is a lamp to our feet
and a light to our path.
Pray for Muslims in Canada to know Jesus as Saviour.
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray that pastors will experience spiritual, emotional and physical
refreshing for the presence of the Lord
Pray that the Lord will protect and deliver our nation from
danger and adversity
Pray that Buddhist monks involved in persecution against
Burmese Christians will come to know the Lord.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.
1) 2 Kings 18:1-8, 2 Chronicles 29, 30, 31, Psalms 48
2 Chronicles 32:1-8
2 Kings 18:13-18
Isaiah 36:1-3
2 Kings 18:19-37
Isaiah 36:4-22
2 Kings 18:1-8
2 Kings 18
Hezekiah, King of Judah
2Ch 29:1-2; 31:1, 20-21; 2Ki 17:3-7
1 In the third year of Hoshea son of Elah, king of Israel,
Hezekiah the son of Ahaz, king of Judah, became king.
2 He was twenty-five years old when he became king,
and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Abi
daughter of Zechariah.
3 (2Ki 20:3) He did what was right in the sight of the Lord,
according to everything that David his father had done.
4 (2Ch 31:1; Nu 21:8-9) He removed the high places, broke down the sacred
pillars, cut down the Asherah poles, and crushed the bronze serpent that Moses
had made, for until those days the children of Israel had made offerings to it.
They called it Nehushtan.
5 (2Ki 19:10; 23:25) He trusted in the Lord God of Israel. Afterwards,
there was no one like him among all the kings of Judah
or among those who were before him.
6 (Dt 10:20; Jos 23:8) He clung to the Lord. He did not depart from
following him, but kept His commandments, which the Lord commanded Moses.
7 (1Sa 18:14; 2Ki 16:7; Ge 39:2-3) The Lord was with him. Wherever he went,
he prospered. He rebelled against the king of Assyria and did not serve him.
8 (2Ki 17:9; Isa 14:29) He struck the Philistines as far as Gaza
and its territory, from watchtower to fortified city.
[1] Now it came to pass in the third year of Hoshea son of Elah king of
Israel, that Hezekiah the son of Ahaz king of Judah began to reign.
[2] Twenty and five years old was he when he began to reign; and he reigned
twenty and nine years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Abi, the
daughter of Zachariah.
[3] And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to
all that David his father did.
[4] He removed the high places, and brake the images, and cut down the
groves, and brake in pieces the brasen serpent that Moses had made: for unto
those days the children of Israel did burn incense to it: and he called it
Nehushtan.
[5] He trusted in the LORD God of Israel; so that after him was none like
him among all the kings of Judah, nor any that were before him.
[6] For he clave to the LORD, and departed not from following him, but kept
his commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses.
[7] And the LORD was with him; and he prospered whithersoever he went
forth: and he rebelled against the king of Assyria, and served him not.
[8] He smote the Philistines, even unto Gaza, and the borders thereof, from
the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city.
2 Chronicles 29:1-2
2 Chronicles 29
Hezekiah, King of Judah
2Ki 18:2-3
1 (2Ki 18:1-3; 1Ch 3:13) Hezekiah was twenty-five years old when he began
to reign, and he was king in Jerusalem for twenty-nine years.
The name of his mother was Abijah [Or Abi in 2Ki 18:2.]
the daughter of Zechariah.
2 And he did what was correct in the eyes of the Lord
just as his father David had done.
[1] Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty years old, and he
reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was
Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah.
[2] And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, according to
all that David his father had done.
2 Chronicles 29:3-36,30,31
2 Chronicles 29
Hezekiah Cleanses the Temple
3 (2Ch 28:24; 29:7) And in the first year and first month of his reign
he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and restored them.
4 He then brought in the priests and Levites and gathered them in the square
on the eastern side
5 (2Ch 35:6; 1Ch 15:12) and said to them, "Listen to me, Levites.
Consecrate yourselves and consecrate the house of the Lord God
of your fathers. And bring out the detestable things
from the holy sanctuary.
6 (Eze 8:16; Jer 2:27) For our fathers have acted unfaithfully
and have done what is evil in the eyes of the Lord our God,
and they have abandoned Him. They have turned their face
from the sanctuary of the Lord and have turned their back.
7 (2Ch 28:24) They also shut the doors of the vestibule
and have extinguished the lamps, nor have they burned incense
or burnt offerings in the Holy Place to the God of Israel.
8 (Jer 25:9; 25:18) Therefore the wrath of the Lord has come on Judah
and Jerusalem for a terror, horror, and scorn as you all can see
with your own eyes.
9 (2Ch 28:17; 28:5-8) Observe, our fathers have fallen by the sword,
and now our sons, daughters, and wives are in captivity for all this.
10 (2Ch 23:16) Now it is in my heart to make a covenant
with the Lord God of Israel so that His burning anger might turn away from us.
11 My people, do not now be negligent for the Lord has chosen you all
to stand in His presence, to serve Him, and to be ministers
and make sacrifices for Him."
12 Then the Levites arose:
from the Kohathites,
Mahath son of Amasai and Joel son of Azariah;
from the Merarites,
Kish son of Abdi and Azariah son of Jehallelel;
from the Gershonites,
Joah son of Zimmah and Eden son of Joah;
13 (1Ch 6:39; 15:8) from the descendants of Elizaphan,
Shimri and Jeiel;
from the descendants of Asaph,
Zechariah and Mattaniah;
14 (1Ch 6:33) from the descendants of Heman,
Jehiel and Shimei;
from the descendants of Jeduthun,
Shemaiah and Uzziel.
15 (2Ch 30:12; 1Ch 23:28) So they gathered their brothers together
and consecrated themselves and entered in as the king commanded
by the words of the Lord in order to cleanse the house of the Lord.
16 (2Ch 15:16) Then the priests came into the inner part of the house
of the Lord to cleanse it, and they removed everything that they found
that was unclean in the main hall of the temple of the Lord to the court.
And the Levites took those things and brought them out to the Kidron Valley.
17 They began to consecrate themselves on the first day of the first month,
and on the eighth day of the month they entered the vestibule of the Lord.
They consecrated the house of the Lord for eight days. Then on the 16th day
of the first month they completed the task.
18 Then they came toward Hezekiah the king and said, "We have cleaned
the entire house of the Lord,
the altar of burnt offerings and all its utensils,
and the table for showbread and all its utensils.
19 (2Ch 28:24) All the vessels that King Ahaz discarded from use
during his reign in his treachery we have prepared and consecrated.
They are before the altar of the Lord."
Hezekiah Restores Temple Worship
20 So King Hezekiah got up early and gathered the officials of the city
and went up to the house of the Lord.
21 (Lev 4:3-14) And he brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs,
and seven male goats for a sin offering for the kingdom, sanctuary,
and Judah. Then he commanded the priests, the sons of Aaron, to offer
them up on the altar of the Lord.
22 (Lev 4:18; 8:19) So they slaughtered the bulls, and the priests
took their blood and sprinkled it on the altar and then slaughtered
the rams and sprinkled their blood on the altar. They did the same
for the lambs.
23 (Lev 4:15) And they brought the male goats for a sin offering
before the king and the assembly, and they placed their hands on the goats.
24 And the priests slaughtered them and purified the altar with their blood
to provide atoning reconciliation for all Israel because the king said
that the burnt offering and sin offering would be for all Israel.
25 (2Ch 8:14; 2Sa 24:11) And he set the Levites at the house of the Lord
with cymbals, harps, and lyres according to the commandment of David,
and Gad the seer of the king, and Nathan the prophet.
For the commandment came from the Lord through His prophets.
26 (1Ch 23:5; 15:24) So the Levites stood with the instruments of David
and the priests with the trumpets.
27 (2Ch 23:18) Then Hezekiah gave the command to offer the burnt offering
on the altar. When they started the burnt offering, the song of the Lord began
also, with the trumpets and the instruments of David, king of Israel.
28 The entire assembly worshipped, the singers sang, and the trumpeters
sounded. All of this took place until the burnt offering was finished.
29 (2Ch 20:18) When the burnt offering was finished, the king and all those
with him bowed down and worshipped.
30 Then Hezekiah the king and the officials ordered the Levites
to praise the Lord with the words of David and Asaph the seer.
So they praised with gladness and bowed down to worship.
31 (2Ch 13:9; Ex 35:22) Then Hezekiah responded, "Now you have dedicated
yourselves to the Lord. Come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings
to the house of the Lord." So the assembly brought sacrifices
and thank offerings, and all who had a willing heart brought burnt offerings.
32 The number of the burnt offerings that the assembly brought was seventy
bulls, one hundred rams, and two hundred lambs;
all these were for a burnt offering to the Lord.
33 The consecrated animals were six hundred bulls and three thousand sheep.
34 (2Ch 30:3; 35:11) However there were too few priests, and they were
not able to skin the burnt offerings. But their brothers the Levites
helped them until the work was finished and more priests consecrated
themselves, for the Levites were more upright in heart to consecrate
themselves than the priests.
35 (Nu 15:5-10; Ex 29:13) Also burnt offerings were in abundance with the fat
of the peace offerings and the drink offerings for the burnt offerings.
So the service of the house of the Lord was set in order.
36 Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced that God had prepared the people,
since the events happened suddenly.
[3] He in the first year of his reign, in the first month, opened the doors
of the house of the LORD, and repaired them.
[4] And he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them
together into the east street,
[5] And said unto them, Hear me, ye Levites, sanctify now yourselves, and
sanctify the house of the LORD God of your fathers, and carry forth the
filthiness out of the holy place.
[6] For our fathers have trespassed, and done that which was evil in the
eyes of the LORD our God, and have forsaken him, and have turned away their
faces from the habitation of the LORD, and turned their backs.
[7] Also they have shut up the doors of the porch, and put out the lamps,
and have not burned incense nor offered burnt offerings in the holy place
unto the God of Israel.
[8] Wherefore the wrath of the LORD was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he
hath delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and to hissing, as ye see
with your eyes.
[9] For, lo, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our
daughters and our wives are in captivity for this.
[10] Now it is in mine heart to make a covenant with the LORD God of Israel,
that his fierce wrath may turn away from us.
[11] My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand
before him, to serve him, and that ye should minister unto him, and burn
incense.
[12] Then the Levites arose, Mahath the son of Amasai, and Joel the son of
Azariah, of the sons of the Kohathites: and of the sons of Merari, Kish the
son of Abdi, and Azariah the son of Jehalelel: and of the Gershonites; Joah
the son of Zimmah, and Eden the son of Joah:
[13] And of the sons of Elizaphan; Shimri, and Jeiel: and of the sons of
Asaph; Zechariah, and Mattaniah:
[14] And of the sons of Heman; Jehiel, and Shimei: and of the sons of
Jeduthun; Shemaiah, and Uzziel.
[15] And they gathered their brethren, and sanctified themselves, and came,
according to the commandment of the king, by the words of the LORD, to
cleanse the house of the LORD.
[16] And the priests went into the inner part of the house of the LORD, to
cleanse it, and brought out all the uncleanness that they found in the
temple of the LORD into the court of the house of the LORD. And the Levites
took it, to carry it out abroad into the brook Kidron.
[17] Now they began on the first day of the first month to sanctify, and on
the eighth day of the month came they to the porch of the LORD: so they
sanctified the house of the LORD in eight days; and in the sixteenth day of
the first month they made an end.
[18] Then they went in to Hezekiah the king, and said, We have cleansed all
the house of the LORD, and the altar of burnt offering, with all the vessels
thereof, and the shewbread table, with all the vessels thereof.
[19] Moreover all the vessels, which king Ahaz in his reign did cast away in
his transgression, have we prepared and sanctified, and, behold, they are
before the altar of the LORD.
[20] Then Hezekiah the king rose early, and gathered the rulers of the city,
and went up to the house of the LORD.
[21] And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and
seven he goats, for a sin offering for the kingdom, and for the sanctuary,
and for Judah. And he commanded the priests the sons of Aaron to offer them
on the altar of the LORD.
[22] So they killed the bullocks, and the priests received the blood, and
sprinkled it on the altar: likewise, when they had killed the rams, they
sprinkled the blood upon the altar: they killed also the lambs, and they
sprinkled the blood upon the altar.
[23] And they brought forth the he goats for the sin offering before the
king and the congregation; and they laid their hands upon them:
[24] And the priests killed them, and they made reconciliation with their
blood upon the altar, to make an atonement for all Israel: for the king
commanded that the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made for
all Israel.
[25] And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD with cymbals, with
psalteries, and with harps, according to the commandment of David, and of
Gad the king's seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of
the LORD by his prophets.
[26] And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests
with the trumpets.
[27] And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the altar. And
when the burnt offering began, the song of the LORD began also with the
trumpets, and with the instruments ordained by David king of Israel.
[28] And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the
trumpeters sounded: and all this continued until the burnt offering was
finished.
[29] And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were
present with him bowed themselves, and worshipped.
[30] Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to
sing praise unto the LORD with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer.
And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and
worshipped.
[31] Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated yourselves
unto the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the
house of the LORD. And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank
offerings; and as many as were of a free heart burnt offerings.
[32] And the number of the burnt offerings, which the congregation brought,
was threescore and ten bullocks, an hundred rams, and two hundred lambs:
all these were for a burnt offering to the LORD.
[33] And the consecrated things were six hundred oxen and three thousand
sheep.
[34] But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt
offerings: wherefore their brethren the Levites did help them, till the work
was ended, and until the other priests had sanctified themselves: for the
Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.
[35] And also the burnt offerings were in abundance, with the fat of the
peace offerings, and the drink offerings for every burnt offering. So the
service of the house of the LORD was set in order.
[36] And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the
people: for the thing was done suddenly.
2 Chronicles 30
Hezekiah Celebrates the Passover
1 And Hezekiah sent word to all Israel and Judah. He even wrote letters
to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they come to the house of the Lord
in Jerusalem to keep the Passover to the Lord God of Israel.
2 (Nu 9:10-11) The king counseled with his officials and all the assembly
in Jerusalem to have the Passover in the second month.
3 (2Ch 29:34; Ex 12:6) For they were not able to have it at the appropriate
time of the first month because a sufficient amount of priests had not
consecrated themselves, nor had the people assembled yet in Jerusalem.
4 And this matter was pleasing in the eyes of the king and all the assembly.
5 (Jdg 20:1) So they decreed to make a proclamation throughout all Israel,
from Beersheba to Dan, that they come to keep the Passover to the Lord God
of Israel in Jerusalem, for the multitude of people did not do
as it was written.
6 (Est 8:14; Jer 51:31) So couriers ran throughout all Israel and Judah
with a letter from the hand of the king and his officials
as a command from the king:
"Sons of Israel, return to the Lord of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel
that He might turn to the remnant who has escaped from the king of Assyria.
7 (2Ch 29:8) Do not act like your fathers and brothers who were faithless
before the Lord God of their fathers, and He appointed them for horror,
as you observe.
8 (Ex 32:9; 2Ch 29:10) So now do not harden your necks as your fathers,
but give yourselves to the Lord and come to the sanctuary
that He has consecrated permanently. Serve the Lord your God so that
His burning anger might turn away from you all.
9 (Ex 34:6-7; Ps 106:46) Because if you return to the Lord, your brothers
and children will find compassion before those who have taken them captive,
in order to return you to this land. For the Lord your God is gracious
and compassionate. He will not turn His face from you
if you all return to Him."
10 (2Ch 36:16; 30:6) So the couriers ran from city to city in the land
of Ephraim and Manasseh and up to Zebulun, but the people laughed
at them and mocked them.
11 (2Ch 30:18; 30:21) However some men from Asher, Manasseh,
and Zebulun humbled themselves and journeyed to Jerusalem.
12 (Php 2:13; Jer 32:39) And even in Judah the hand of God was on them
to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king
and officials by the word of the Lord.
13 And many people assembled in Jerusalem to have
the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the second month.
There was a very large assembly.
14 (2Ch 28:24; 2Sa 15:23) They went out and removed the altars
that were in Jerusalem, and they took away all the incense altars
and threw them into the Kidron Valley.
15 (2Ch 29:34) They slaughtered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day
of the second month. The priests and Levites were ashamed,
and they consecrated themselves and brought in burnt offerings
to the house of the Lord.
16 (Dt 33:1; 2Ch 35:15) They stood at their places according
to the Law of Moses, the man of God; the priests sprinkled the blood
they received from the hands of the Levites.
17 (2Ch 29:34) For there were many in the assembly
who had consecrated themselves, so the Levites slaughtered
the Passover lamb for those who were not clean in order to consecrate
the people to the Lord.
18 For a multitude of the people-many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar,
and Zebulun-had not purified themselves. For they ate of the Passover
contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed over them saying,
"The Lord is good, and may He pardon
19 (2Ch 19:3) everyone who sets his heart to seek God, the Lord God
of his fathers, but is not pure according the rules of the holy sanctuary."
20 So the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people.
21 (Ex 12:15; 13:6) Then the sons of Israel present in Jerusalem kept
the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days with great joy,
and the Levites and priests praised the Lord every day,
singing with loud instruments to the Lord.
22 (2Ch 32:6; Ne 9:3) Then Hezekiah spoke encouragingly to all the Levites
who taught the good knowledge of the Lord. So they ate for the appointed
seven days, sacrificing peace offerings and giving thanks to the Lord God
of their fathers.
23 (1Ki 8:65; 2Ch 7:9) Then the whole assembly counseled to have the feast
for another seven days, so they had seven more days of gladness.
24 (2Ch 29:34; 35:7-8) For Hezekiah king of Judah lifted up for the assembly
one thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep. And the officials offered up
for the assembly one thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep.
And a multitude of priests consecrated themselves.
25 (2Ch 30:11; 30:18) So all the assembly of Judah and the priests
and Levites and all the assembly who came from Israel rejoiced,
even the sojourners who came from the land of Israel
and those who resided in Judah.
26 (2Ch 7:8-10) And there was a great rejoicing in Jerusalem,
for since the days of Solomon son of David king of Israel
there had not been anything like this.
27 (Dt 26:15; Ps 68:5) Then the priests and Levites went out
and blessed the people, and their voices were heard.
And their prayers came up to His holy habitation in the heavens.
[1] And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to
Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the LORD at
Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the LORD God of Israel.
[2] For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the
congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month.
[3] For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not
sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered
themselves together to Jerusalem.
[4] And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation.
[5] So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel,
from Beer-sheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto
the LORD God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time
in such sort as it was written.
[6] So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes
throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the
king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the LORD God of
Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that
are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.
[7] And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which
trespassed against the LORD God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up
to desolation, as ye see.
[8] Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves
unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for
ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn
away from you.
[9] For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children
shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall
come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful,
and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.
[10] So the posts passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim
and Manasseh even unto Zebulun: but they laughed them to scorn, and mocked
them.
[11] Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled
themselves, and came to Jerusalem.
[12] Also in Judah the hand of God was to give them one heart to do the
commandment of the king and of the princes, by the word of the LORD.
[13] And there assembled at Jerusalem much people to keep the feast of
unleavened bread in the second month, a very great congregation.
[14] And they arose and took away the altars that were in Jerusalem, and all
the altars for incense took they away, and cast them into the brook Kidron.
[15] Then they killed the passover on the fourteenth day of the second
month: and the priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified
themselves, and brought in the burnt offerings into the house of the LORD.
[16] And they stood in their place after their manner, according to the law
of Moses the man of God: the priests sprinkled the blood, which they
received of the hand of the Levites.
[17] For there were many in the congregation that were not sanctified:
therefore the Levites had the charge of the killing of the passovers for
every one that was not clean, to sanctify them unto the LORD.
[18] For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh,
Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the
passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them,
saying, The good LORD pardon every one
[19] That prepareth his heart to seek God, the LORD God of his fathers,
though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.
[20] And the LORD hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.
[21] And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the
feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites
and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with loud instruments
unto the LORD.
[22] And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the
good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven
days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of
their fathers.
[23] And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they
kept other seven days with gladness.
[24] For Hezekiah king of Judah did give to the congregation a thousand
bullocks and seven thousand sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation
a thousand bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests
sanctified themselves.
[25] And all the congregation of Judah, with the priests and the Levites,
and all the congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that
came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah, rejoiced.
[26] So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the
son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem.
[27] Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their
voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even
unto heaven.
2 Chronicles 31
1 (2Ki 18:4; 2Ch 32:12) And when this celebration was finished,
all of Israel that was present went out to the cities of Judah
and smashed the sacred pillars and cut down the Asherah poles
and tore down the high places and the altars throughout all Judah
and Benjamin, and in Ephraim and Manasseh, until everything
was destroyed. Then all Israel returned to their cities,
each man to his own possession.
Temple Contributions
2Ki 18:5-7
2 (1Ch 24:1) And Hezekiah set up the divisions of the priests
and Levites according to their divisions, each man as he worked
among the priests and Levites for burnt and fellowship offerings,
to serve, give thanks, and offer praise at the gates of the camp of the Lord.
3 (2Ch 35:7; Eze 45:17) And the portion of the king that came from his own
possessions was for burnt offerings, those given in the morning and evening,
and those given for Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts,
as written in the Law of the Lord.
4 (Mal 2:7; Nu 18:8-21) And he ordered those people living in Jerusalem
to give a portion for the priests and Levites, in order for them to devote
themselves to the Law of the Lord.
5 (Ne 13:12; Nu 18:12) And when the command spread, the sons of Israel
gave generously the first fruits of grain, wine, oil, honey,
and all the produce of the field. And they brought in abundance
a tenth portion of everything.
6 (Lev 27:30; Dt 14:28) And the sons of Israel and Judah
and all who dwelled in the cities of Judah also brought in a tenth portion
of cattle and sheep, and a tenth portion of the consecrated items
that were to the Lord their God, and brought them in and set them
in great piles.
7 In the third month they began to assign the piles of contribution,
and they finished in the seventh month.
8 When Hezekiah and the officials saw the contribution piles,
they blessed the Lord and His people Israel.
9 Then Hezekiah questioned the priests and Levites
regarding the contribution piles.
10 (Mal 3:10; 1Ch 6:8) Azariah the head priest from the house of Zadok
said, "Since they began to bring the contributions into the house of the Lord,
there has been plenty of food and a large amount left over.
For the Lord has blessed His people, and this great abundance is left over."
11 Then Hezekiah ordered them to prepare chambers in the house of the Lord,
and they did this.
12 (2Ch 35:9) They reliably brought in the contributions, tenth portions,
and consecrated items. The leader over them was Konaniah the Levite,
and Shimei his brother was second to him.
13 And Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismakiah,
Mahath, and Benaiah were supervisors under Konaniah and Shimei his brother
by the appointment of Hezekiah the king
and Azariah the leader of the house of God.
14 And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite was gatekeeper for the East Gate
and over the voluntary offerings to God, to designate the contributions
of the Lord and most holy offerings.
15 (Jos 21:9-19) Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah,
and Shekaniah reliably assisted him in the cities of the priests
to distribute the portions to their brothers by division,
both great and small.
16 (Ezr 3:4) Besides those males registered from three years old and above,
they distributed to all who entered into the house of the Lord his daily
portion, for their services according to their duties and their divisions.
17 (1Ch 23:24; 23:27) The registration of the priests was according
to the house of their fathers and the Levites from twenty years and above,
according to their duties and their divisions.
18 They were registered with all their little children, wives, sons,
and daughters for the entire assembly for they consecrated
themselves in faithfulness.
19 (2Ch 31:12-15; Lev 25:34) Also for the sons of Aaron, the priests,
who were in the fields of common land of their cities,
there were men in each city who were designated by name to allocate
portions to every male among the priests and to everyone
who was registered by genealogy among the Levites.
20 (2Ki 20:3; 22:2) Hezekiah did this throughout all Judah,
and he did what was good and just and faithful before the Lord his God.
21 And in every deed that he undertook in the service of the house of God
and with the law and commandment to seek out his God,
he did this with all his heart, and he found success.
[1] 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.
[2] 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.
[3] 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.
[4] 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.
[5] 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 fields; and the tithe of all things brought they
in abundantly.
[6] 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.
[7] In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and
finished them in the seventh month.
[8] And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed
the LORD, and his people Israel.
[9] Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the
heaps.
[10] 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.
[11] Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD;
and they prepared them,
[12] 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.
[13] 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.
[14] 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.
[15] 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:
[16] 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;
[17] 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;
[18] 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:
[19] 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.
[20] And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was
good and right and truth before the LORD his God.
[21] 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.
Psalms 48
A Song. A Psalm of the sons of Korah.
1 Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised
in the city of our God, in His holy mountain.
2 (Ps 63:1; 84:2) Beautiful in elevation,
the joy of the whole earth,
is Mount Zion, on the sides of the north,
the city of the great King.
3 (Ps 79:10; 80:5) God is known in her citadels
as a refuge.
4 (Isa 30:29; Ps 62:8) For the kings were assembled,
they passed by together.
5 (Ps 42:11; 43:5) They saw it, and so they were astounded;
they were alarmed, they hurried away.
6 (2Sa 17:22; Dt 3:8-9) Trembling seized them there,
and pain like a woman in labor;
7 (Ps 88:7; Jnh 2:3) You break the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.
8 (Job 35:10; Ps 63:6) As we have heard, so have we seen
in the city of the Lord of Hosts, in the city of our God;
God will establish it forever. Selah
9 (Ps 38:6; 18:2) We have thought of Your lovingkindness, O God,
in the midst of Your temple.
10 (Ps 42:3; Joel 2:17) According to Your name, O God,
so is Your praise to the ends of the earth;
Your right hand is full of righteousness.
11 (Ps 42:5; 43:5) May Mount Zion rejoice,
may the daughters of Judah be glad, because of Your judgments.
12 Walk about Zion, and go round about her; count her towers;
13 mark well her bulwarks; consider her citadels;
that you may tell it to the generation following.
14 For this God is our God forever and ever;
He will be our guide even to death.
Psalm 48
A Song and Psalm for the sons of Korah.
[1] Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised in the city of our God, in
the mountain of his holiness.
[2] Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on
the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
[3] God is known in her palaces for a refuge.
[4] For, lo, the kings were assembled, they passed by together.
[5] They saw it, and so they marvelled; they were troubled, and hasted
away.
[6] Fear took hold upon them there, and pain, as of a woman in travail.
[7] Thou breakest the ships of Tarshish with an east wind.
[8] As we have heard, so have we seen in the city of the LORD of hosts, in
the city of our God: God will establish it for ever. Selah.
[9] We have thought of thy lovingkindness, O God, in the midst of thy
temple.
[10] According to thy name, O God, so is thy praise unto the ends of the
earth: thy right hand is full of righteousness.
[11] Let mount Zion rejoice, let the daughters of Judah be glad, because of
thy judgments.
[12] Walk about Zion, and go round about her: tell the towers thereof.
[13] Mark ye well her bulwarks, consider her palaces; that ye may tell
it to the generation following.
[14] For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even
unto death.
2) Our Daily Bread for 18 July 2023 Titled
Doing Something Right
2 Chronicles 33:10-16
Manasseh's Repentance
10 The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they did not pay attention.
11 So the Lord brought on them the officials
of the army of the king of Assyria. They captured Manasseh with hooks,
and they bound him in bronze chains and led him to Babylon.
12 And when he was distressed, he entreated the face of the Lord his God,
and he greatly humbled himself before the God of his fathers.
13 And he prayed to God, and He was moved and responded
to his plea and returned him to Jerusalem to his kingdom.
Then Manasseh knew that the Lord was God.
14 After this he built an outer wall for the City of David, west of Gihon,
in the valley and toward the entrance of the Fish Gate, where it went
around Ophel, and raised it to a very great height. Then he positioned
military commanders in all the fortified cities in Judah.
15 And he removed the foreign gods and statues from the house of the Lord,
and all the altars that he built on the hill of the house of the Lord
and Jerusalem, and he cast them outside the city.
16 He also restored the altar of the Lord, and he sacrificed fellowship and
thanksgiving offerings, and he ordered Judah to serve the Lord God of Israel.
[10] And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not
hearken.
[11] Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the
king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with
fetters, and carried him to Babylon.
[12] And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and
humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers,
[13] And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his
supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then
Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God.
[14] Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west
side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and
compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put
captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah.
[15] And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the
LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the
LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city.
[16] And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace
offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of
Israel.
The letter from "Jason" an inmate, surprised my wife and me. We "foster"
puppies to become service dogs to assist people with disabilities. One such
puppy had graduated to the next training phase, which was run by prisoners
who've been taught how to train the dogs. Jason's letter to us expressed
sorrow for his past, but then he said, "Snickers is the seventeenth dog
I've trained, and she is the best one. When I see her looking up at me,
I feel like I'm finally doing something right."
Jason isn't the only one with regrets. We all have them. Manasseh, king
of Judah, had plenty. Second Chronicles 33 outlines some of his atrocities:
building sexually explicit altars to pagan gods (v. 3), practicing witchcraft,
and sacrificing his own children (v. 6). He led the entire nation down this
sordid path (v. 9).
"The Lord spoke to Manasseh and his people, but they paid no attention"
(v. 10). Eventually, God got his attention. The Assyrians invaded, "put a hook
in his nose . . . and took him to Babylon" (v. 11). Next, Manasseh finally did
something right. "He sought the favour of the Lord his God and humbled himself
greatly" (v. 12). God heard him and restored him as king. Manasseh replaced
the pagan practices with worship of the one true God (vv. 15-16).
Do your regrets threaten to consume you? It's not too late.
God hears our humble prayer of repentance.
By: Tim Gustafson
Reflect & Pray
What regrets do you have? How might you honour God by letting
Him redeem them and use you to serve Him?
Thank You, Father, that You're always ready to hear my honest prayers.
3) Daily verses taken from Billy Graham Evangelical Organisation
Words in Season Scripture Memory Tools
Week 8 Guided by Grace Day 3 - The Promise of Completion
Philippians 1:6
6 (1Co 1:8; Jn 6:29) I am confident of this very thing,
that He who began a good work in you will perfect it
until the day of Jesus Christ.
6 being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun
a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
"Elizabeth is a good student", the note on the side of the report card read,
"but she doesn't finish what she starts. She has a lot of good ideas, but
rarely brings then to completion."
Many of us are like Elizabeth. We start into a new venture with high hopes
and great motivation. But somewhere along the way, we become discouraged.
Someone tells us that our ideas are stupid, or that we are not capable of
doing what we dream. We get a particularly difficult hurdle and give up.
Sometimes we fell the Christian like is like that, too. We start well, and
believe that in Christ we can accomplish anything. But then our prayers
become rote, our Bible reading ritual. We can't seem to regain that sense
of God's presence; we have, we conclude, "Lost our first love." (Rev 2)
But God has a different perspective. He began the work of salvation in us;
he leads and guides us in his will, and he will complete what he has begun.
Often we fail to see God's grace in the ongoing process of walking with him
because his agenda is different from ours. We know what we want to see
happen in our lives; God knows what needs to happen.
"When I fist came into a relationship with Christ," one woman explained,
"I knew I had a lot of changing to do. But, strangely enough, the things God
changed weren't on my list at all!"
When God begins his work in our lives, he has a plan for our maturity.
He is the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. And what God
has begun, he will finish.
Application
a) Have I ever tried to "decide" for God what problems in my life
needed dealing with?
b) Has God ever pointed out issues that were a surprise to me?
c) How can today's verse help me relax in God's will and
have confidence in the direction of my life?
4) From Prosperity Promises - Kenneth Copeland
Gal 3:13-14
13 (Dt 21:23; Gal 4:5) Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by
being made a curse for us - as it is written,
"Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree" (Dt 21:23.)-
14 (Ac 2:33; Gal 3:2) so that the blessing of Abraham might come
on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ, that we might receive the promise
of the Spirit through faith.
13 Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse
for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
14 that the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus
Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
5) From a Book called God's Promises for you:
God's Guiding Presence
Ps 119:105-112
Nun
105 Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it,
that I will keep Your righteous judgments.
107 I am greatly afflicted;
revive me, O Lord, according to Your word.
108 Accept the freewill offerings of my praise, O Lord,
and teach me Your judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand,
yet I do not forget Your law.
110 The wicked have laid a trap for me,
yet I do not depart from Your precepts.
111 Your testimonies are my inheritance forever,
for they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined my heart to perform Your statutes always,
even unto the end.
Nun
105 Thy word is a lamp unto my feet,
And a light unto my path.
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it,
That I will keep thy righteous judgments.
107 I am afflicted very much:
Quicken me, O LORD, according unto thy word.
108 Accept, I beseech thee, the freewill offerings of my mouth, O LORD,
And teach me thy judgments.
109 My soul is continually in my hand:
Yet do I not forget thy law.
110 The wicked have laid a snare for me:
Yet I erred not from thy precepts.
111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever:
For they are the rejoicing of my heart.
112 I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes
Alway, even unto the end.
Remember God's promises when You pray
The Lord's prayer
Matthew 6:9-13
9 "Therefore pray in this manner:
Our Father who is in heaven,
hallowed be Your name.
10 (Mt 3:2; 4:17) Your kingdom come;
Your will be done
on earth, as it is in heaven.
11 (Pr 30:8; Isa 33:16) Give us this day our daily bread.
12 (Ex 34:7; Ps 32:1) And forgive us our debts,
as we forgive our debtors.
13 (1Co 10:13; Jn 17:15) And lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.
For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen."
9 After this manner therefore pray ye:
Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.
10 Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread.
12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil:
For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.
6) This come from Praying for Muslims in Canada 2015 (Is there a 2022 edition?)
Where do Muslims live?
Canada is a land of immigrants. And Muslims are coming in increasing numbers
to our shores. Where do they live? How can we pray for these areas? Use this as
your more effectively for Muslims in Canada.
Data for those population figures is extrapolated for the 2011 National
Household Survey and population growth projections by Pew Forum. These have
also been adjusted by +40% as reliable sources state that on 60% of Muslims
self-identify on government surveys and forms. These estimates are still on
the conservative end of the spectrum. Percentages represent that of the total
Canadian population, not provincial
BC - 136493 - 7.5%
AB - 195240 - 11%
SK - 17279 - 1%
MB - 21349 - 1.2%
ON - 1001542 - 55%
QC - 418946 - 23%
NB - 4543 - 0.003%
NS - 14629 - 0.1%
PEI - 1127 - 0.0006%
NFLD - 2065 - 0.001%
Yukon - 69 - 0.00004%
NWT - 473 - 0.0003%
NU - 86 - 0.00005%
Adding further
30 days of prayer for the Muslim World 24 April to 23 May 2020
Under the Keep Praying page
When the new moon is sighted it marks the beginning of t he new Islamic month
and Eid al-Fitr, the "Festival of Breaking the Fast", will start! After 30 days
of fasting, the Eid celebration at the end of Ramadan is a joyful time that
usually lasts about 3 days. Muslims will buy new clothes, exchange gifts and,
of course, enjoy special foods. In Muslim-majority nations, the streets may be
decorated and festivals will be held.
For many Muslims, Eid-al-Fitr begins with communal prayers at daybreak and the
distribution of money (zakat) to the poor, which is one of the 5 pillars of
Islam.
You can greet Muslim friends during this time by saying "Eid Mubarak",
which means Blessed Eid!"
Ramadan is over for this year, but you can continue to pray for Muslims you
know, and Muslims around the world:
- Despite the unsettling developments in our world today that involve actions
in the name of Islam, there is at the same time a largely untold story about
unprecedented movement to Christ among Muslims. There have been more such
movements of thousands or more new disciples among Muslims in the last three
decades or so than in all the previous history of Christian Muslim
relationships! Pray for this momentum to continue.
Acts 2:12-17 : 17 "In the last days it shall be," says God,
"that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh;
your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
18 Even on My menservants and maidservants
I will pour out My Spirit in those days; and they shall prophesy.
19 And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs on the earth below:
blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness,
and the moon into blood, before that great and glorious day of the Lord comes.
21 And whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."[a]
Footnotes
Acts 2:21 Joel 2:28-32.
- Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Ask the Holy Spirit to continue to inspire you to have god's heart for
Muslims, to see them as He does, and to be the light that then to Jesus.
Matthew 5:14-15 : 14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a
hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do men light a candle and put it under
a basket, but on a candlestick. And it gives light to all who are in the
house."
Ideas for prayer
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
And
Thank you for praying through the
5 Days of Prayer for Sikhs.
"My name is Kam. I'm 29 years of age, and I grew up Sikh. As a teenager,
I struggled with depression, brokenness, and addiction to
cannabis. I didn't know how to stop or how to get help.
Then a friend invited me to church. As I spent time with Christians
and heard the message of the Gospel, I experienced the
love of Jesus Christ, and it was like nothing I'd known before.
One night I had a dream where I saw Him - a figure surrounded by
light who I knew was Jesus, the light of the world.
As I began to understand the gospel message, I encountered a reassuring and
confident solution to the problem of sin. I knew that I needed a solution
to my sin problem, and I gave my life to Christ.
Slowly, God began to heal my broken heart and my addiction.
Nine years have passed, and I am a devoted husband and a father
to two beautiful boys. I grow deeper in love with Jesus each day.
I ask you to continue praying with me, and others around the world, for Sikhs.
God is the only one who can draw people to Himself. He works in and through
the prayers of His people. I want Sikhs to know the freedom
and healing that is only available through Jesus Christ."
13 (Ro 14:17; 12:12) Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy
and peace in believing, so that you may abound in hope,
through the power of the Holy Spirit.
[13] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that
ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
ROMANS 15:13
My paternal side is of Muslim heritage and will offer this section to further
call for Muslim converts to Christian and any other converts to Christianity
(Hindus, Jews, aboriginals Canadian, ...) .
7) Prayers for the nation (Canada) coming from Prayer map of Canada
http://www.ehc.ca
18th Day of the Month
a) Pray that pastors will experience spiritual, emotional and physical
refreshing for the presence of the Lord
( Jer 31:25
25 For I satiate the weary souls and I replenish every languishing soul.
25 For I have satiated the weary soul,
and I have replenished every sorrowful soul.
)
b) Pray that the Lord will protect and deliver our nation from
danger and adversity
( Ps 34:7
7 The angel of the Lord camps around those who fear Him,
and delivers them.
7 The angel of the LORD encampeth round about them that fear him,
And delivereth them.
)
Conclusion:
Pray to the Lord and pray to be a reformer like Hezekiah.
Pray to the Lord: "Thank You, Father, that You're always ready to hear my
honest prayers. "
Pray to the Lord and pray to have confidence in all the He does.
Pray to the Lord and pray to know as redeemer.
Pray to the Lord and pray to Know that His word is a lamp to our feet
and a light to our path.
Pray for Muslims in Canada to know Jesus as Saviour.
Pray for Christian workers an organisations focused on seeing effective
discipleship movements among Muslim people.
- Pray for opportunities to show the love of Christ to Muslims around you
- Pray for, and offer generous hospitality to, those you know who are serving
Christ among Muslim people -
Romans 12:13 "contribute to the needs of the saints, practice hospitality."
- When you gather with fellow believers, remember to pray for Muslims
throughout the year and encourage them to also participate in 30 Days!
Pray that pastors will experience spiritual, emotional and physical
refreshing for the presence of the Lord
Pray that the Lord will protect and deliver our nation from
danger and adversity
Pray that Buddhist monks involved in persecution against
Burmese Christians will come to know the Lord.
Pray to the Lord that to know the Holy Spirit.
and Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His Righteousness.
Remember eternity starts now -
Pray for the direction you take to the Ever lasting loving God.