20<\/strong>. the rulers of the city<\/em> ] R.V. the princes of the city<\/strong>.<\/p>\n 20 30 (not in 2 Kin.). The Sevenfold Sacrifice for the Reconciliation of the People<\/p>\n The ritual of the sin offering is fully given in Leviticus 4<\/span>. Ahaz had broken the covenant and Hezekiah’s sin offering was intended to atone for the breach.<\/p>\n 20-30. Then Hezekiah the king roseearly, and gathered the rulers of the city<\/B>His anxiety to enterupon the expiatory service with all possible despatch, now that thetemple had been properly prepared for it, prevented his summoning allthe representatives of Israel. The requisite number of victims havingbeen provided, and the officers of the temple having sanctifiedthemselves according to the directions of the law, the priests wereappointed to offer sacrifices of atonement successively, for “thekingdom,” that is, for the sins of the king and hispredecessors; for “the sanctuary,” that is, for the sins ofthe priests themselves and for the desecration of the temple; “andfor Judah,” that is, for the people who, by their voluntaryconsent, were involved in the guilt of the national apostasy. Animalsof the kinds used in sacrifice were offered by sevens, that numberindicating completeness. The Levites were ordered to praise God withmusical instruments, which, although not originally used in thetabernacle, had been enlisted in the service of divine worship byDavid on the advice of the prophets Gad and Nathan, as wellcalculated to animate the devotions of the people. At the close ofthe special services of the occasion, namely, the offering ofatonement sacrifices, the king and all civic rulers who were presentjoined in the worship. A grand anthem was sung (2Ch29:30<\/span>) by the choir, consisting of some of the psalms of Davidand Asaph, and a great number of thank offerings, praise offerings,and freewill burnt offerings were presented at the invitation of theking.<\/P><\/p>\n Then Hezekiah the king rose early<\/strong>,…. Took the first opportunity to attend the worship of God, and set an example to his people:<\/p>\n and gathered the rulers of the city<\/strong>; the elders of the people, the chief magistrates in Jerusalem:<\/p>\n and went up to the house of the Lord<\/strong>; the temple, to worship there.<\/p>\n The re-dedication of the temple by offering sacrifices<\/em>. – 2Ch 29:20<\/span>. Probably on the very next morning Hezekiah went with the princes (heads) of the city into the house of the Lord, and brought seven bullocks, seven rams, and seven lambs for a burnt-offering, and seven he-goats for a sin-offering, “for the kingdom, for the sanctuary, and for Judah,” i.e., as expiation for and consecration of the kingdom, sanctuary, and people. These sacrifices were offered by the priests according to the prescription of the law of Moses, 2Ch 29:22-24<\/span>. The burnt-offerings are first named, as in the sacrificial Torah in Lev 1-6, although the offering of the sin-offering preceded that of the burnt-offering. The laying on of hands, too, is mentioned only with the sin-offering, 2Ch 29:23<\/span>, although according to Lev 1:4<\/span> the same ceremony was gone through with the burnt-offerings; but that is not because a confession of sin was probably made during the laying on of hands, as Bertheau conjectures, adducing Lev 16:21<\/span>, for from that passage no such conclusion can be drawn. The ceremony is mentioned only in the one case to emphasize the fact that the king and the assembly (the latter, of course, by their representatives) laid their hands upon the sacrificial beasts, because the atonement was, according to the king’s words, to be for all Israel. “All Israel” are probably not only all the inhabitants of the kingdom of Judah, but Israelites in general (the twelve tribes), for whom the temple in Jerusalem was the only lawful sanctuary. signifies to bring the blood to the altar for an atonement, in the manner prescribed in Lev 4:30<\/span>, Lev 4:34<\/span>.<\/p>\n Hezekiah’s Sacrifice.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/I><\/span><\/P> <\/TD> B. C.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN> 726.<\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/SPAN><\/P> <\/TD> <\/TR> <\/TABLE> 20 Then Hezekiah the king rose early, and gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the LORD<\/B>. 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<\/I> on the altar of the LORD<\/B>. 22 So they killed the bullocks, and the priests received the blood, and sprinkled it<\/I> 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<\/I> 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<\/I> the burnt offering and the sin offering should be made<\/I> for all Israel. 25 And he set the Levites in the house of the LORD<\/B> 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<\/I> the commandment of the LORD<\/B> 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<\/B> began also<\/I> with the trumpets, and with the instruments ordained<\/I> by David king of Israel. 28 And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded: and<\/I> all this continued<\/I> 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<\/B> 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<\/B>, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the LORD<\/B>. 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, a hundred rams, and<\/I> two hundred lambs: all these were<\/I> for a burnt offering to the LORD<\/B>. 33 And the consecrated things were<\/I> 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<\/I> priests had sanctified themselves: for the Levites were<\/I> more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests. 35 And also the burnt offerings were<\/I> in abundance, with the fat of the peace offerings, and the drink offerings for every<\/I> burnt offering. So the service of the house of the LORD<\/B> was set in order. 36 And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was done<\/I> suddenly.<\/P> The temple being cleansed, we have here an account of the good use that was immediately made of it. A solemn assembly was called to meet the king at the temple, the very next day (v.<\/I><\/span> 20<\/span>); and very glad, no doubt, all the good people in Jerusalem were, when it was said, Let us go up to the house of the Lord,<\/I> Ps. cxxii. 1<\/I><\/span>. As soon as Hezekiah heard that the temple was ready for him he lost no time, but made it appear that he was ready for it. He rose early to go up to the house of the Lord, earlier on that day than on other days, to show that his heart was upon his work there. Now this day’s work was to look two ways:–<\/P> I. Atonement must be made for the sins of the last reign. They thought it not enough to lament and forsake those sins, but they brought a sin-offering. Even our repentance and reformation will not obtain pardon but in and through Christ, who was made sin<\/I> (that is, a sin-offering) for us. No peace but through his blood, no, not for penitents. Observe, 1. The sin-offering was for the kingdom, for the sanctuary,<\/I> and for Judah<\/I> (v.<\/I><\/span> 21<\/span>), that is, to make atonement for the sins of princes, priests, and people, for they had all corrupted their way. The law of Moses appointed sacrifices to make atonement for the sins of the whole congregation (Lev 4:13<\/span>; Lev 4:14<\/span>; Num 15:24<\/span>; Num 15:25<\/span>), that the national judgments which their national sins deserved might be turned away. For this purpose we must now have an eye to Christ the great propitiation, as well as for the remission and salvation of particular persons. 2. The law appointed only one goat for a sin-offering, as on the day of atonement (Lev. xvi. 15<\/span>) and on such extraordinary occasions as this, Num. xv. 24<\/span>. But they here offered seven (v.<\/I><\/span> 21<\/span>), because the sins of the congregation had been very great and long continued in. Seven is a number of perfection. Our great sin-offering is but one, yet that one perfects<\/I> for ever those that are sanctified.<\/I> 3. The king and the congregation<\/I> (that is, the representatives of the congregation) laid their hands on the heads of the goats<\/I> that were for the sin-offering<\/I> (v.<\/I><\/span> 23<\/span>), thereby owning themselves guilty before God and expressing their desire that the guilt of the sinner might be transferred to the sacrifice. By faith we lay our hands on the Lord Jesus, and so receive the atonement,<\/I> Rom. v. 11<\/I><\/span>. 4. Burnt-offerings were offered with the sin-offerings, seven bullocks, seven rams,<\/I> and seven lambs.<\/I> The intention of the burnt-offerings was to give glory to the God of Israel, whom they owned as the only true God, which it was proper to do at the same time that they were by the sin-offering making atonement for their offences. The blood of those, as well as of the sin-offering, was sprinkled upon the altar<\/I> (v.<\/I><\/span> 22<\/span>), to make reconciliation for all Israel<\/I> (v.<\/I><\/span> 24<\/span>), and not for Judah only. Christ is a propitiation, not for the sins of Israel only, but of the whole world,<\/I>1Jn 2:1<\/span>; 1Jn 2:22<\/span>. 5. While the offerings were burning upon the altar the Levites<\/I> sang the song of the Lord<\/I> (v.<\/I><\/span> 27<\/span>), the Psalms composed by David and Asaph (v.<\/I><\/span> 30<\/span>), accompanied by the musical instruments which God by his prophets had commanded the use of (v.<\/I><\/span> 25<\/span>), and which had been long neglected. Even sorrow for sin must not put us out of tune for praising God. By faith we must rejoice in Christ Jesus as our righteousness; and our prayers and praises must ascend with his offering, to be accepted only in virtue of it. 6. The king and all the congregation testified their consent to and concurrence in all that was done, by bowing their heads<\/I> and worshipping,<\/I> expressing an awful veneration of the divine Majesty, by postures of adoration. This is taken notice of, v.<\/I><\/span> 28-30<\/span>. It is not enough for us to be where God is worshipped, if we do not ourselves worship him, and that not with bodily exercise only, which profits little, but with the heart.<\/P> II. The solemnities of this day did likewise look forward. The temple service was to be set up again, that it might be continually kept up; and this Hezekiah calls them to, v.<\/I><\/span> 31<\/span>. “Now that you have consecrated yourselves to the Lord<\/I>–have both made an atonement and made a covenant by sacrifice, are solemnly reconciled and engaged to him–now come near, and bring sacrifices.<\/I>” Note, Our covenant with God must be pursued and improved in communion with him. Having consecrated ourselves, in the first place, to the Lord, we must bring the sacrifices of prayer, and praise, and alms, to his house. Now, in this work, it was found.<\/P> 1. That the people were free. Being called to it by the king, they brought in their offerings, though not in such abundance as in the glorious days of Solomon (for Judah was now diminished, impoverished, and brought low), but according to what they had, and as much as one could expect considering their poverty and the great decay of piety among them. (1.) Some were so generous as to bring burnt-offerings, which were wholly consumed to the honour of God, and of which the offerer had no part. Of this sort there were seventy bullocks, 100 rams, and 200 lambs, v.<\/I><\/span> 32<\/span>. (2.) Others brought peace-offerings and thank-offerings, the fat of which was burnt upon the altar, and the flesh divided between the priests and the offerers, v.<\/I><\/span> 35<\/span>. Of this sort there were 600 oxen and 3000 sheep, v.<\/I><\/span> 33<\/span>. Perhaps the remembrance of their sin in sacrificing on the high places made them more willing to bring their sacrifices now to God’s altar.<\/P> 2. That the priests were few,<\/I> too few for the service, v.<\/I><\/span> 34<\/span>. Many of them, it is likely, were suspended and laid aside as polluted and uncanonical, for having sacrificed to idols in the last reign, and the rest had not the zeal that one might have expected upon such an occasion. They thought that the king needed not to be so forward, that there was no necessity for such haste in opening the doors of the temple, and therefore they took no care to sanctify themselves, and being unsanctified, and so unqualified, they made that their excuse for being absent from the service; as if their offence would be their defence. It is recorded here, to the perpetual shame of the priests, that, though they were so well provided for out of the offerings of the Lord made by fire, yet they did not mind their business. Here was work to do, and there wanted proper hands to do it.<\/P> 3. That the Levites were forward. They had been more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests<\/I> (v.<\/I><\/span> 34<\/span>), were better affected to the work and better prepared and qualified for it. This was their praise, and, in recompence for it, they had the honour to be employed in that which was the priests’ work: they helped them to flay the offerings.<\/I> This was not according to the law (Lev 1:5<\/span>; Lev 1:6<\/span>), but the irregularity was dispensed with in cases of necessity, and thus encouragement was given to the faithful zealous Levites and a just disgrace put upon the careless priests. What the Levites wanted in the ceremonial advantages of their birth and consecration was abundantly made up in their eminent qualifications of skill and will to do the work.<\/P> 4. That all were pleased. The king and all the people rejoiced in this blessed turn of affairs and the new face of religion which the kingdom had put on, v.<\/I><\/span> 36<\/span>. Two things in this matter pleased them:– (1.) That it was soon brought about: The thing was done suddenly,<\/I> in a little time, with a great deal of ease, and without any opposition. Those that go about the work of God in faith and with resolution will find that there is not that difficulty in it which they sometimes imagine, but it will be a pleasing surprise to them to see how soon it is done. (2.) That the hand of God was plainly in it: God had prepared the people<\/I> by the secret influences of his grace, so that many of those who had in the last reign doted on the idolatrous altars were now as much in love with God’s altar. This change, which God wrought on their minds, did very much expedite and facilitate the work. Let magistrates and ministers do their part towards the reforming of a land, and ascribe to him the glory of what is done, especially when it is done suddenly and is a pleasing surprise. This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvellous.<\/I><\/P><\/p>\n 2Ch 29:20<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n Temple Re-consecrated – 2Ch 29:20-36<\/span><\/p>\n That Hezekiah rose early means that he began promptly and without delay the task of calling the pepple of Judah to renewal of the covenant of the Lord. He gathered the rulers of Jerusalem to the temple. These brought seven each of all clean animals, bullocks, rams, lambs, and he-goats, for sin offering for the kingdom (king’s house), sanctuary (temple), and Judah (people). The priests were commanded to officiate in the offering of these animals, and they proceeded to kill them. They began with the bullocks which they killed, and sprinkled the blood on the altar. The same was done with the rams and the lambs. Then the goats were brought finally, and in the presence of the congregation the priests killed them, after the king and the people laid their hands on them, this signifying their offering of the animals as the substitute for their sins. Burnt offerings and sin offerings were made for all Israel.<\/p>\n The Levites bearing the musical instruments and singing sounded their instruments just as the ceremony had been established centuries before under the guidance of David the king, Gad his seer, and Nathan the prophet, and just as God’s prophets had preached they should be doing during their apostasy under Ahaz. As the burnt offering was being made and the music was playing the people worshipped. The singers sang the psalms of David and Asaph and the trumpeters sounded on their instruments. It was a very beautiful and joyous sound and the beginning of a great spiritual revival in Judah. The people were glad to sing and humbly bowed themselves in worship of the Lord whose temple had been neglected for so long.<\/p>\n Now that the people had also consecrated themselves, King Hezekiah invited them to come and bring their own sacrifices of burnt offerings and offerings of thanksgiving. Thus many of them did so, all of a free, willing, and glad heart. Seventy bullocks, a hundred rams, and two hundred lambs were brought for burnt offerings for the congregation. Also six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep were consecrated for sacrifice during the time. Some of the priests had been slow in sanctifying themselves so that there were too few of them prepared to skin all these many animals. Therefore the Levites who had been more diligent pitched in and helped with the preparation of the carcases until all the priests were sanctified. There were many burnt offerings to make and much fat of the peace offerings to burn, with the drink offerings that accompanied them. But the service of the Lord’s house was once more set in order. The king and the people rejoiced together, for God’s hand was recognized in so preparing the people. It was “done suddenly,” or spontaneously, by the people, without coercion. God’s people honor Him most by offering themselves out of willing hearts (2Co 8:1-5<\/span>).<\/p>\n Some lessons: 1) Bad men’s sons do not have to be bad, too, for they may be very good; 2) reverence for heroes and events may rob God of His rightful worship; 3) to get right with God one must begin by confessing his sins and admitting his just chastisement; 4) when re-consecration is determined on one should be diligent to accomplish it; 5) great Christian joy comes with rededication of one’s life and service to Christ.<\/p>\n THE CONSECRATION SACRIFICES<\/strong> (2Ch. 29:20-30<\/span>).<\/p>\n (20) Rose early.<\/strong>Comp. Psa. 5:3<\/span> : Early in the j morning will I direct my prayer unto Thee.<\/p>\n Gathered the rulers of the city.<\/strong>Hezekiah assembled the chief men of Jerusalem, because there was no time to send out a general summons to the country, as he wished to proceed at once with the sacrifices of expiation.<\/p>\n Went up to the house.<\/strong>So 2Ki. 19:14<\/span>; 2Ch. 9:4<\/span>, and often.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/strong> The Service of the Temple Set in Order<\/p>\n v. 20. Then Hezekiah the king rose early,<\/strong> full of anxious zeal to complete the cleansing of the Temple, and gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the Lord. <\/strong> Since all the people of his kingdom could not be reached, he wanted at least the princes of Jerusalem to be the representatives of the people. <\/p>\n v. 21. And they brought seven bullocks, and seven rams, and seven lambs, and seven he-goats,<\/strong> the number seven being the sacred number, for a sin offering for the kingdom,<\/strong> for the sins of the king and his predecessors, and for the Sanctuary,<\/strong> for the priests themselves and for the desecration of the Sanctuary, and for Judah,<\/strong> for all the members of the nation who had consented to the introduction of idolatry. And he commanded the priests, the sons of Aaron, to offer them on the altar of the Lord,<\/strong> to make an atonement for all the trespasses and sins as indicated. <\/p>\n v. 22. So they killed the bullocks, and the priests received the blood and sprinkled it on the altar,<\/strong> as the ritual of sacrifices required, Lev 8:14-24<\/span>; 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. <\/p>\n v. 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,<\/strong> thus signifying that the act of atonement, while made directly by the princes, was done for the entire nation. <\/p>\n v. 24. And the priests killed them; and they made reconciliation with their blood upon the altar,<\/strong> for the purpose of obtaining a purification for sin, Lev 14:20<\/span>, 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. <\/strong> The sacrifices agreed, in general, with the precepts of Leviticus 4. <\/p>\n v. 25. And he set the Levites,<\/strong> those designated for that work, 1Ch 16:4<\/span>; 1Ch 25:6<\/span>, in the house of the Lord with cymbals, with psalteries, and with harps,<\/strong> the former being a guitarlike zither or lute, and the latter a small harp, according to the commandment of David and of Gad, the king’s seer, and Nathan, the prophet,<\/strong> for the latter two had advised and assisted David in arranging the Temple service; for so was the commandment of the Lord by His prophets,<\/strong> the Lord Himself having acted through the agency of His prophets. <\/p>\n v. 26. And the Levites stood with the instruments of David,<\/strong> those invented and introduced by David, and the priests with the trumpets,<\/strong> for the blowing of these was their special privilege, Numbers 10. <\/p>\n v. 27. And Hezekiah commanded to offer the burnt offering upon the altar,<\/strong> when everything was in readiness for the service. 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,<\/strong> the instruments of David governed and led the entire orchestra as it played with full force in the intervals of the psalm or psalms. <\/p>\n v. 28. And all the congregation worshiped, and the singers sang,<\/strong> the psalm was intoned, and the trumpeters sounded; and all this continued until the burnt offering was finished,<\/strong> the musical performance of praise being continued during the whole time of the offering. <\/p>\n v. 29. And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves and worshiped,<\/strong> in grateful adoration. <\/p>\n v. 30. Moreover, Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded,<\/strong> they had done so before the beginning of the service, the Levites to sing praise unto the Lord with the words of David,<\/strong> some of the psalms composed by the royal singer, and of Asaph, the seer. And they sang praises with gladness,<\/strong> literally, “unto gladness,” until their hearts were lifted up in ecstasy; and they bowed their heads and worshiped. <\/p>\n v. 31. Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the Lord,<\/strong> by having filled their hands with the sacrifices of atonement; come near and bring sacrifices and thank-offerings into the house of the Lord. <\/strong> The sin and trespass-offerings having been made in order to remove the guilt of the king and the people, peace-offerings were now in order to establish the relation of the covenant between Jehovah and His people once more. And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank offerings,<\/strong> with which sacrificial meals were connected; and as many as were of a free heart, in making vows to Jehovah, burnt offerings. <\/p>\n v. 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,<\/strong> presented by the rulers of the people for the nation or congregation. <\/p>\n v. 33. And the consecrated things,<\/strong> the animals presented as thank-offerings, were six hundred oxen and three thousand sheep. <\/p>\n v. 34. <\/strong> But the priests were too few, so that they could not flay all the burnt offerings, a task which they were supposed to perform themselves; wherefore their brethren, the Levites, did help them,<\/strong> it being a case of unavoidable necessity, of an emergency, till the work was ended, and until the other priests,<\/strong> those who came in from the outlying cities, had sanctified themselves; for the Levites were more upright in heart to sanctify themselves than the priests,<\/strong> they displayed greater alacrity than the priests, probably because the latter had become more deeply involved in idolatry under Ahaz. <\/p>\n v. 35. And also the burnt offerings were in abundance,<\/strong> that was the second reason why the Levites were drafted into service, 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,<\/strong> the newly consecrated Temple reopened for the service of Jehovah. <\/p>\n v. 36. And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people,<\/strong> had made their hearts willing with such promptness; for the thing was done suddenly,<\/strong> with unexpected readiness on the part of the majority of the nation. One of the surest proofs of true piety is the rejection of idolatry in every form and the eager participation in the worship of the true God. <\/p>\n DISCOURSE: 422 2Ch 29:20-29<\/span>. Then Hezekiah the king rose early, and gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the Lord. 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. 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. And they brought forth the he-goats for the sin-offering before the king and the congregation; and they laid their hands upon them; 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. 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 kings seer, and Nathan the prophet: for so was the commandment of the Lord by his prophets. And the Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. 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. And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded: and all this continued until the burnt-offering was finished. And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves, and worshipped<\/em>.<\/p>\n AMONGST the most eminent of the kings of Judah was Hezekiah. Of several indeed is it said, that they did that which was right in the sight of the Lord; but it was a high commendation of Hezekiah, that he did so according to all that David his father had done. He came to the throne under the greatest disadvantages. His father had exceeded in wickedness all the kings that had been before him; and had caused all public acknowledgment of Jehovah to cease from the land. Under such circumstances it might have been supposed that Hezekiah, at the age of twenty-five, would have been infected with the prevailing impieties of his fathers court, or, at all events, that he would not have dared to stem the torrent of iniquity that had borne down all before it: but no sooner was he placed upon his fathers throne, than, even in the first year, and the very first month of his reign, he ordered the temple to be opened, and all the defilements that were in it to be removed, and the worship of the Most High God to be restored. Though there was not that alacrity amongst the priests that might have been expected, the work was soon executed, and in sixteen days the temple, with all its vessels, was prepared and sanctified for the service of God. The very next day, Hezekiah, having his heart set upon the blessed work, rose early, and gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the, Lord. The service which they performed on this occasion is related in the words which we have read: and it will serve as an excellent pattern for us on this occasion [Note: On the re-opening of a Church after it had been shut up for repair, in 1802.].<\/p>\n There are three things in particular to which we would call your attention:<\/p>\n I.<\/p>\n Their numerous sacrifices<\/p>\n [For the sin of a priest or of the whole congregation one bullock only was prescribed to be offered by the law [Note: Lev 4:3<\/span>; Lev 4:14<\/span>.]: but the impieties of the nation having exceeded all bounds, and been of long continuance, Hezekiah judged that seven bullocks, and an equal number of rams, and lambs, and he-goats, should be sacrificed as a sin-offering to the Lord: and of all of them in succession it is particularly recorded, that their blood was sprinkled on the altar<\/em>. When the he-goats were offered, it is further noticed, that the king and the congregation (by their representatives) laid their hands upon them<\/em>. Such was the way in which an atonement was offered, and reconciliation made for all Israel.<\/p>\n And who does not here see the gospel method of reconciliation with God through the great Sacrifice which was once offered on Mount Calvary? This it was which the sacrifices under the Law shadowed forth; and this it is which opeus a way for our restoration to the divine favour. We are reconciled to God through the blood of the cross. By this one offering there is a new and living way consecrated for us through the veil; and by it sinners of every description may draw nigh to God with full assurance of faith. Let us next notice,<\/p>\n II.<\/p>\n Their joyful praises<\/p>\n [Together with their humiliation, they offered unto God their praises and thanksgivings agreeably to the laws which had been prescribed by God himself. In this also are they worthy of our constant imitation: In every thing by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving<\/em>, let your requests be made known unto God [Note: Php 4:6<\/span>.], says the Apostle: and what God has so joined we ought not to put asunder.<\/p>\n But here also there are two things worthy of more particular notice: When the burnt-offering began, then the song of the Lord also began<\/em>: and all this continued until the burnt-offering was finished<\/em>. There was no need to wait: their hearts might well be tuned to praise the very moment they looked to their burnt-offerings as the means of reconciliation with God: nor, as long as they continued so to do, was there the smallest occasion for relaxing in the expressions of their joy. So the very moment we look to the Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ, and plead with God the merit of his blood, we may begin to rejoice in God as our reconciled God and Father. It is said, All that believe are justified from all things; not all that are strong in faith, or, all that have exercised faith for such a length of time; but all who believe<\/em> (provided their faith be unfeigned) are from that very moment justified<\/em> from all things, and may instantly rejoice in hope of the glory of God [Note: Act 13:39<\/span>. with Rom 5:1-2<\/span>.]. St. John, speaking not to fathers only, or to young men, but to the weakest babes in Christ, says, I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his names sake [Note: 1Jn 2:12<\/span>.]. There are many who think it a mark of humility to put away from them all joy, till, as they imagine, the progress of their sanctification shall justify the entrance of it into their souls. But this is altogether founded on ignorance and error. A sinner is not to look into himself<\/em> for his warrant to rejoice in God: the mercy, the love, the truth, and faithfulness of God, together with the ability and willingness of Christ to save all who come unto God by him, are the proper grounds of joy, irrespective of any change actually wrought in us. We say not that a believer may not afterwards<\/em> have much joy in the testimony of his own conscience that he has made a progress in the divine life; (for St. Paul himself experienced this<\/em> joy [Note: 2Co 1:12<\/span>.];) but the affiance of his soul on Christ interests him in all that Christ has done and suffered for him, and gives him an immediate title to partake of the fatted calf, which his heavenly Father has prepared for him. Being delivered from the horrible pit, and having his feet set upon the rock, a new song instantly should proceed from his mouth, even praise and thanksgiving to our God [Note: Psa 40:2-3<\/span>.]. Nor should that song ever cease; because the efficacy of his Redeemers sacrifice will never cease. We are bidden to rejoice in the Lord always<\/em>, yea again and again to rejoice: and indeed, humiliation and joy must be united in all our services to the very end of time as they will be united even in heaven itself, where we shall cast our crowns at the Redeemers feet, and sing to all eternity, To him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood, be glory and dominion for ever and ever, Amen.]<\/p>\n At the close of that solemn service we particularly notice,<\/p>\n III.<\/p>\n Their reverential obeisance<\/p>\n [When they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves, and worshipped. This remarkable termination of their worship indicated a grateful sense of the inestimable privilege which they had enjoyed of drawing nigh to Godan humble acknowledgment that they, and all that belonged to them, were the Lordsand a determination of heart henceforth to dedicate themselves unreservedly to his service. How the people remembered the vows that were upon them, was evident from the liberality with which they immediately presented their offerings to the Lord [Note: If any Collection be made on the occasion, the zeal and liberality of the worshippers, ver. 32, 33. may well be proposed as a pattern. Or, if the occasion required, the different Officers of the Church or Parish might be exhorted, from the example of the Priests, and of the Levites in particular, to exert themselves in their respective callings to serve and honour God.]. O let us give up our whole selves to him a living sacrifice: and from a constraining sense of redeeming love, let us henceforth live, not unto ourselves, but unto Him who died for us and rose again.]<\/p>\n<\/p>\n It is astonishing to observe in this solemn service what an eye to Jesus and his salvation this whole service had. Here was the sin-offering; and Christ, who knew no sin, was made sin for us: that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Here was the king and the people laying their hands upon the goats, as an intimation that their sins were to be laid upon the sacrifice. And were not the sins of the people all laid upon Jesus when Jehovah laid on him the iniquities of us all? Isa 53:6<\/span> .<\/p>\nFuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible <\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Matthew Henry’s Whole Bible Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
Fuente: The Popular Commentary on the Bible by Kretzmann<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n
RESTORATION OF THE TEMPLE WORSHIP BY HEZEKIAH<\/strong><\/p>\n
But here let me particularly call your attention to those two points, the sprinkling the blood upon the altar, and the laying of their hands upon the victims<\/em>. Never must we draw nigh to God on any occasion without adverting to these significant emblems, or rather without realizing that which was here figuratively proclaimed. We must sprinkle the altar of our God with the Redeemers blood:<\/em> we must actually bear in mind, and expressly declare before God, that all our hope of acceptance with him is through the atoning blood of Christ. That sentiment must be so fixed in the mind, and rooted in the heart, as never to be lost sight of for one moment. The repetition in our text<\/em> shews us what must be continually repeated by us in every approach of our souls to God. As without shedding of blood there is no remission of sins, so without an express affiance in that blood as the only ground of our hopes there can be no application of that remission to our souls O that this might be duly borne in mind by every one of us! But we must<\/em> also with deep penitential sorrow transfer our sins to the sacred head of Jesus<\/em>. On him were the iniquities of all laid by God himself; and we<\/em> also must lay our iniquities upon him in the exercise of humble faith. It is by the mutual transfer, if I may so speak, of our sins to him, and of his righteousness to us, that we are to be freed from all our guilt, and to be made righteous in the sight of a holy God: He was made sin for us, who knew no sin, that we (who had nothing but sin) might be made the righteousness of God in him [Note: 2Co 5:21<\/span>.] When Christ is thus kept in view in all our transactions with God, we need not fear but that God will be gracious unto us, and seal upon our souls a sense of his forgiving love.]<\/p>\n
And thus it is that we should close our worship, whensoever we draw nigh to God in his public ordinances [Note: See that admirable pattern, 1Ch 29:14<\/span>.]. It is painful to see persons going from the house of God without a due sense of the awful solemnities in which they have been engaged. The light and airy manner with which persons renew their conferences with each other upon the common topics of the day, demonstrates, that their worship has been by no means such as God requires: had they really felt as redeemed sinners ought to feel, the savour of that intercourse with heaven would not so soon be lost. O, if men did but reflect on the mercy vouchsafed to them, in being permitted to sprinkle the blood of Christ upon the altar, to transfer all their guilt to him, and to receive from him the gift of his unspotted righteousness; if they duly considered what a right the Lord Jesus Christ had acquired over them in having bought them with his blood, and how much they are bound to glorify him with their bodies and their spirits which are his; methinks they would depart from the house of God with a holy solemnity upon their mind, and would continue in their way homeward secretly to commune with their God, and to harrow in by meditation and prayer the seed which has been sown upon their hearts. For want of this, even religious people often lose all the benefit of the ordinances which they have been privileged to enjoy. Earnestly would we entreat all persons to attend to these suggestions; and to bear in mind, whether they enter into the house of God or depart from it, that it is the God of heaven and earth with whom they have to do, and to whom they must shortly give an account of all these privileges which by the generality are so lightly esteemed.<\/p>\n
<\/strong><\/p>\nFuente: Charles Simeon’s Horae Homileticae (Old and New Testaments)<\/b><\/i><\/h4>\n