2 Chronicles 31:1-8

Song: Elder Phydesia Lewis

Prayer: Deacon Rockie Williams

Scripture: Brother Darrell Hawkins

Give Scripture: 2 Chronicles 31:1-8

2 Chronicles 31:1–8 KJV 1900

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. 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. 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. 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. 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 field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly. 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. In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month. And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the Lord, and his people Israel.

Give A Review

In the past few chapters we have been reviewing the life and reign of King Hezekiah as King of Judah (the Southern Kingdom of Israel).

Hezekiah inherited the Kingdom after the passing of his Father, King Ahaz, who did EVERYTHING evil in the sight of the Lord.

Ahaz closed the temple

Ahaz broke the vessels of the temple

Ahaz made sacrifices to the other gods

Ahaz did everything he could to spite God and subsequently died with no honor among his people.

Now Hezekiah ascends to the throne and begins to undo the things his father and his other forefathers had done while serving as King.

In chapters 29 & 30, Hezekiah and the Levites had just labored to not only cleanse and reopen the Temple but they also offered sacrifices on behalf of the Kingdom.

Further along in chapter 30, the people of Judah, so moved by the actions of the King’s, the Princes, and the Priests began to make offers so much so that additional Levites had to be consecrated to keep up the offerings being made.

Three Key Points

You cannot bring everyone in on your plans

Hezekiah tried to include everyone in all of Israel on his plans to reconsecrate the Temple, make sacrifices, and observe the Passover and many of the other tribes scoffed.

When they laugh at you do it anyway, and do it as unto the Lord

Many laughed at Hezekiah and thought him foolish because he chose to recognize God and they ignored his petition. But when you are doing something for God the response that man has is irrelevant.

Do not ever believe that you are truly alone.

God left a remnant among Asher and Manasseh who would still heed the call of God. And when they did, Hezekiah had more success unifying the Kingdom than any other since Solomon. King’s had tried war, bribery, politics, and betrayal to create Kingdom unity but it really only required intervention from the Lord God.

Allow for Questions?

Write some of the questions down if possible.

Scripture Study

2 Chronicles 31:1 KJV 1900

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.

Everyone who came participated in cleaning up the city.

We as the saved believers have a responsibility not just to our temple (The Church) but to our Jerusalem (the City).

They took care of God’s business first.

However, as important as the city was to the people, they took care of God’s business first and then tend to the affairs of their community.

2 Chronicles 31:2 KJV 1900

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.

Hezekiah put everyone in their place, once the crisis was over.

Levites had to assist priests and people had to change their placement to complete the work, but be sure you return to your place when its over.

Everyone being in place ensures that God gets his due

If everyone is offering sacrifices, no one is offering praise. If everyone is praising, then no one is making the sacrifices.

2 Chronicles 31:3 KJV 1900

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.

Set aside God’s portion for his use and glory.

Wicked kings had withheld their wealth, blessings, and abundance from God and we are a royal priesthood. It is important you return back unto God that which is his.

He read and upheld the law.

This one is simple, you have a responsibility to uphold God’s commandments. We are redeemed by grace and his sacrifice fulfilled the law. But if God tells you something, write it down so you can reference and keep it.

2 Chronicles 31:4–5 KJV 1900

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. 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 field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.

He gave instruction to those under him to give back to God.

We have to remember that the Kingdom of Israel and Judah both functioned as a confederacy of tribes. It was not an all powerful King who ruled unchecked over the people. But each tribe had leaders, and each tribe had princes and governors who worked with and responded to the King. So he gives commandment to those directly under his charge within his city that they should GIVE to the priests. But he only does so after he has assigned his portion to give.

We furthermore see the love and obedience of the people who came not only from Jerusalem, but came from ALL OVER to give into the hands of the priests that their gifts could be used as unto the law of the Lord.

2 Chronicles 31:6 KJV 1900

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.

They brought things of great value as gifts to the priests and offerings to God.

It is not enough for you to bring to God out of your abundance. When you grow vegetables, often times you get large quantities relative to the work invested. But when you give an Oxen it is a statement of your commitment because the value that oxen or sheep has.

2 Chronicles 31:7–8 KJV 1900

In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month. And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the Lord, and his people Israel.

Not only did Hezekiah bless God but he blessed the people

Leaders have a responsibility to bless their people when they are obedient to what he has asked and requested of them. I do not mean or want to minimize the importance of blessing God because indeed we must bless him. But so many people go right to thanking God and skip over the blessing of people for heeding the voice of God and making the sacrifices necessary to do his work and will.

Provide Key Takeaways

We have a responsibility to give into and sow into our entire community.

This includes the Church, Our Leaders, Our Neighbors, the Homeless.

When we come to God we must be sure that we are always bringing our best as an offering to him that our gift be made worthy of him.

However, this gift need not be the most valuable thing but in all things give your best to God.

A word for our leaders (including myself) we have a responsibility to give not just unto God but we must always bless and sow into the people.

And while giving the people your gifts can be great, sometimes we must do more for where our heart is our treasure will be also.

Allow for Final Questions?

Write some of the questions down if possible.

Roll Call & Prayer Requests

Prayer: Do yourself unless otherwise led