2 Ch. 30: Passover Renewed

2 Chronicles 30:17 "Since many in the crowd had not consecrated themselves, the Levites had to kill the Passover lambs for all those who were not ceremonially clean and could not consecrate their lambs to the LORD."

I don't know how long it had been since we saw Passover. But I imagine it was a pretty long freakin' time. In fact, the very last time it was even mentioned was in Joshua, before the time of any king. So far removed from the minds and culture of the people of Israel was Passover that it simply was not enough for their king to declare that they would celebrate it. The priests hadn't even kept up on their own consecration and purification rites to celebrate it at the prescribed time. Besides, the people must have thought, who was this guy Hezekiah anyway? He was brand new on the throne. The couriers who brought the invitations to Passover were ridiculed, so far out was this idea of Passover. Also because the invitation got right down to it and didn't mince any words. Didn't much care whether or not anyone was offended.

I am not too sure about this. I can appreciate Hezekiah wanting to re-center the kingdom again on the pivot point of the sacred rituals. Would God? What's the deal here? What I have come to learn is that despite what I think should happen when people do stuff, God does whatever he will.

Verses 17-20 make up an amazing passage and a wonderful view into the heart of God. People came to this Passover, and so many came who didn't consecrate themselves, whether they didn't have time, didn't know how...they just didn't. And there were clearly defined rules for Passover. But wise Hezekiah...he knew God was after the hearts of people, and here His people were, giving their hearts to him by following Passover. They wanted to partake of this ritual that identified themselves as being God's people. Hezekiah prayed that God would forgive them...forgive them...(the sin being trying to reach God their own way)...who seek God, regardless of ceremonial cleanness. I find that pretty incredible that Hezekiah would have the balls to pray like that.