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The Pilgrim Path (9-29-2020)

The Pilgrim Path---Second Chronicles 29: 1 –11

Hezekiah began to reign when he was twenty-five years old, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abijah the daughter of Zechariah. He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD, according to all that David his Father had done.

In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the LORD and repaired them. He brought in the priests and the Levites and assembled them in the square on the east and said to them, “Hear me, Levites! Now consecrate yourselves, and consecrate the house of the LORD, the God of your fathers, and carry out the filth from the Holy Place. For our fathers have been unfaithful and have done what was evil in the sight of the LORD our God. They have forsaken him and turned away their faces from the habitation of the LORD and turned their backs. They also shut the doors of the vestibule and put out the lamps and have not burned incense or offered burnt offerings in the Holy Place to the God of Israel. Therefore, the wrath of the LORD came on Judah and Jerusalem, and he has made them an object of horror, of astonishment, and of hissing, as you see with your own eyes. For behold, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and daughters and our wives are in captivity for this. Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the LORD, the God of Israel, in order that his fierce anger may turn away from us. My sons, do not now be negligent, for the LORD has chosen you to stand in his presence, to minister to him and to be his ministers and make offerings to him.

THE REFORMER

King Hezekiah was a man Judah needed. He had a heart aflame for the LORD. He may have only been 25 years of age, but he saw what his father’s (Ahaz), apostacy had done to the kingdom. Ahaz had shut the doors of the LORD’S House and had sacrificed to the gods of foreigners. He had even gone so far as to cut up the sacred utensils of the LORD’S House and then---make altars for himself in virtually every part of Jerusalem (II Chronicles 28: 22—25). Who would have envisioned such wholesale “turning” from the Living God? But it did occur under the reign of Ahaz. A terrible Father---followed by a godly Son. Thanks be to God! Light followed the shadows.

Hezekiah did not wait--- once his father died. In the first month of his reign---he instituted spiritual reforms. He saw to it that the doors of the House of the LORD were opened again. In the darkest days---the LORD has a marvelous way of having some Reformer--- dawn---to shine the hope of the Gospel of the LORD Jesus Christ into the world. The LORD is never outdone!

---Hezekiah led the way in personal righteousness. He had a heart for the LORD.

---Hezekiah was concerned that the “ways” of God be opened “again” for all the people.

---Hezekiah directed the Levites to “give” themselves to their God-appointed tasks (He supported them completely).

---Hezekiah knew the “prior” generation’s sin---must be “left” ---If the LORD was to be loved!

From Matthew Henry: “Note, Men’s negligence in religion is owing to their carnal security. The consideration he quickens them (The Levites) which is derived from their office. God had herein put honor upon them: He has chosen you to stand before him. God therefore expected work from them. They were not chosen to be idle, to enjoy the dignity and leave the duty to be done by others, but to serve him and to minister to him. They must therefore be ashamed of their late remissness, and now that the doors of the temple were opened again, must set about their work with double diligence.”

“The best way to settle a kingdom is to settle the religion of it, begin reigning with reforming. Hezekiah’s reformation went on in a true step and pace, for it began first with the temple and ministry. It is but Christian prudence to cleanse the spring if we would have the stream clear; to look to God’s house, and those that should dispense His Word and ordinances if we would have the people brought into conformity with Him.” Thomas Manton

“The true method of lifting the masses is by uplifting the leaders of the masses.” H. Clay Trumball

You could be troubled by the rollercoaster ride of, “evil kings---good kings”--- of the Old Testament. But the final great King came---and offered Himself--- as the perfect sacrifice for sinners (Hebrews 10: 12, 14). He ever lives to care for---and carry His own. We ask the LORD daily to use Us as His revival agents wherever He has placed us. May we each know something of the heart of Hezekiah---a heart aflame for the LORD.

HYMN

Revive thy work, O LORD,

Thy mighty arm make bare;

Speak with the voice that wakes the dead,

And make thy people hear.

Albert Midlane, 1858

Grace and Peace in Jesus Christ Our Risen LORD, Pastor Jason