2 Chronicles 31 reminds me of something that happens frequently after we receive God’s Holy Spirit in true worship. Often we gain an awareness of the things in our life that are unholy. I have seen people delete music, throw away tapes and magazines, even quit jobs after God prompted them completely eliminate a temptation. The chapter begins immediately after a two-week long Passover celebration. The people had been forgiven and restored spiritually. “The Israelites who were there went out to the towns of Judah, smashed the sacred stones and cut down the Asherah poles“. These were places of idolworship. “After they had destroyed all of them, the Israelites returned to their own towns and to their own property“. As always, we should not concentrate exclusively on the “Do Nots”. It is very important that we replace the meaningless things with things of value. The apostle Paul encouraged the young preacher not to be content to sit on the sidelines, “discharge all the duties of your ministry” (2 Timothy 4:5). What is your ministry?
The rededication of the Temple created a revival in the land and that was lead by the king. It is interesting to notice that the king had a gift for organization and administration. While the Holy Spirit can often embolden us to follow God’s leading, God is a God of order. “Hezekiah assigned the priests and Levites to divisions each of them according to their duties… to minister, to give thanks and to sing praises at the gates of the Lord’s dwelling“. We are not all called to be on stage, but the body of Christ has a place for you. Again the king lead by example; “The king contributed from his own possessions for the… offerings“. “He ordered the people living in Jerusalem to give the portion due the priests and Levites so they could devote themselves to the Law of the Lord.” I think there is a clear direction in the Bible to give financial support to those that minister in order to allow them to continue ministering. And notice what else happens when we receive God’s Spirit in our life, “the Israelites generously gave the firstfruits… They brought a great amount, a tithe of everything… the holy things dedicated to the Lord“. The concept of first fruits is important. Most of us are not farmers. Many of us tend to give God what is left over after taking care of our own priorities. And some of us give grudgingly. Giving with thankfulness produces joy.
The people gave in abundance. “When Hezekiah and his officials came and saw the heaps, they praised the Lord and blessed His people Israel“. “Hezekiah gave orders to prepare storerooms in the temple… brought in the contributions, tithes and dedicated gifts“. Important to note that there were many people assigned to keep accountability. It is never wise to allow any one person access to finances without other controls in place. Finally, “they distributed to the priests enrolled by their families in the genealogical records and likewise to the Levites twenty years old or more“. The chapter ends with an encouragement to all who are hesitant to give in to God’s leading. “Hezekiah did… what was good and right and faithful… In everything that he undertook in the service of God’s temple… he sought his God and worked wholeheartedly. And so he prospered“. What are you afraid of losing?