◄ 2 Chronicles 30:17 ►
Since there were many in the assembly who had not consecrated themselves, the Levites were in charge of slaughtering the Passover lambs for every unclean person to consecrate the lambs to the LORD.
Study Bible
Since many of the people were unclean
The term "unclean" in this context refers to a state of ritual impurity according to the Mosaic Law. In Hebrew, the word is "טָמֵא" (tamei), which denotes a condition that prevents individuals from participating in sacred activities. Historically, this impurity could arise from various sources, such as contact with a corpse or certain diseases. The significance here is the acknowledgment of the people's spiritual and ritual shortcomings, yet it also highlights God's grace in providing a means for them to participate in the Passover.

because they had not consecrated themselves
"Consecrated" comes from the Hebrew "קָדַשׁ" (qadash), meaning to be set apart or made holy. The lack of consecration indicates a failure to prepare oneself spiritually and ritually for the Passover, a critical observance in Jewish tradition. This phrase underscores the importance of personal holiness and preparation in approaching God, a theme that resonates throughout Scripture.

the Levites were in charge of slaughtering the Passover lambs
The Levites, members of the tribe of Levi, were set apart for religious duties. Their involvement in slaughtering the Passover lambs highlights their role as mediators between God and the people. This task was typically the responsibility of the head of each household, but the Levites stepped in due to the people's unpreparedness. This act of service by the Levites reflects the grace and provision of God, ensuring that the Passover could still be observed.

for every unclean person
This phrase emphasizes inclusivity and the provision made for those who were not in a state of ritual purity. It reflects God's desire for all His people to participate in the Passover, a foreshadowing of the inclusive nature of the Gospel, where all are invited to partake in the salvation offered through Christ.

to consecrate the lambs to the LORD
The act of consecrating the lambs signifies dedicating them to God, ensuring that the sacrifice was acceptable. The Hebrew root "קָדַשׁ" (qadash) again appears, reinforcing the theme of holiness and dedication. This dedication is a reminder of the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus, the Lamb of God, who was consecrated for the salvation of humanity. The Levites' role in this process underscores the importance of proper mediation and preparation in worship, pointing to Christ as our ultimate High Priest.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hezekiah
The king of Judah who initiated the celebration of the Passover, seeking to restore proper worship and obedience to God.

2. Levites
Members of the tribe of Levi, set apart for religious duties, who assisted in the Passover by slaughtering the lambs for those who were unclean.

3. Passover
A significant Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt, symbolizing redemption and God's covenant with His people.

4. Jerusalem
The central place of worship where the Passover was celebrated, representing the heart of spiritual renewal.

5. Assembly
The gathered people of Israel and Judah, including those who had not properly consecrated themselves, highlighting the inclusivity of Hezekiah's reforms.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Consecration
Consecration is essential for worship. Just as the Levites assisted those who were unclean, we must seek spiritual cleansing through Christ to approach God.

Role of Spiritual Leaders
The Levites' role underscores the importance of spiritual leaders in guiding and assisting believers in their walk with God. Leaders today are called to shepherd and support their congregations in spiritual matters.

Inclusivity in Worship
Hezekiah's invitation to all, even those not fully consecrated, reflects God's desire for all to come to Him. The church should be a welcoming place for all seeking God, regardless of their past.

Restoration and Renewal
Hezekiah's reforms and the celebration of Passover highlight the themes of restoration and renewal. Believers are called to continually seek renewal in their relationship with God.

Symbolism of the Passover Lamb
The Passover lamb points to Christ, the Lamb of God, whose sacrifice provides ultimate purification and redemption for believers.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the role of the Levites in 2 Chronicles 30:17 inform our understanding of spiritual leadership today?

2. In what ways can we ensure that our worship and service to God are consecrated and pure?

3. How does the inclusivity of Hezekiah's Passover celebration challenge us to be more welcoming in our faith communities?

4. What parallels can we draw between the Passover lamb and Jesus Christ, and how does this deepen our appreciation for His sacrifice?

5. How can we apply the themes of restoration and renewal from Hezekiah's reforms to our personal spiritual lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 12
The original institution of the Passover, providing the historical and theological background for its observance.

Leviticus 17
Instructions regarding the handling of sacrifices, emphasizing the role of the Levites and the importance of ritual purity.

2 Chronicles 29
Hezekiah's earlier reforms, setting the stage for the Passover celebration by cleansing the temple and restoring proper worship.

Hebrews 9
Discusses the concept of purification and the ultimate sacrifice of Christ, drawing parallels to the need for consecration and cleansing.
Sermons
A National Passover At JerusalemT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 30:13-27
Hezekiah's Prayer for the IsraelitesJ. Orton.2 Chronicles 30:17-20
Personal Sanctification Requisite for Acceptable WorshipEssex Congregational Remembrancer2 Chronicles 30:17-20
The One Essential ThingW. Clarkson 2 Chronicles 30:17-20
The People's State and ConditionManton, Thomas2 Chronicles 30:17-20
Unfitness for the CommunionSpurgeon, Charles Haddon2 Chronicles 30:17-20
People
Asher, Dan, David, Hezekiah, Isaac, Issachar, Levites, Manasseh, Solomon, Zebulun
Places
Assyria, Beersheba, Dan, Jerusalem, Kidron
Topics
Assembly, Ceremonially, Charge, Clean, Congregation, Consecrate, Consecrated, Death, Hallow, Hallowed, Holy, Kill, Killing, Lamb, Lambs, Levites, Order, Passover, Passover-lambs, Passover-offerings, Passovers, Sanctified, Sanctify, Slaughter, Slaughtering, Themselves, Unclean
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 30:17

     7340   clean and unclean
     8218   consecration

2 Chronicles 30:1-20

     7266   tribes of Israel

2 Chronicles 30:1-27

     8466   reformation

2 Chronicles 30:13-20

     7406   Passover

2 Chronicles 30:15-17

     4663   lamb

2 Chronicles 30:15-20

     7316   blood, OT sacrifices

Library
A Loving Call to Reunion
'And Hezekiah sent to all Israel and Judah, and wrote letters also to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, to keep the passover unto the Lord God of Israel. 2. For the king had taken counsel, and his princes, and all the congregation in Jerusalem, to keep the passover in the second month. 3. For they could not keep it at that time, because the priests had not sanctified themselves sufficiently, neither had the people gathered themselves together to Jerusalem. …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Of Antichrist, and his Ruin: and of the Slaying the Witnesses.
BY JOHN BUNYAN PREFATORY REMARKS BY THE EDITOR This important treatise was prepared for the press, and left by the author, at his decease, to the care of his surviving friend for publication. It first appeared in a collection of his works in folio, 1692; and although a subject of universal interest; most admirably elucidated; no edition has been published in a separate form. Antichrist has agitated the Christian world from the earliest ages; and his craft has been to mislead the thoughtless, by …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The New Temple and Its Worship
'And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo: and they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. 15. And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king. 16. And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Appendix v. Rabbinic Theology and Literature
1. The Traditional Law. - The brief account given in vol. i. p. 100, of the character and authority claimed for the traditional law may here be supplemented by a chronological arrangement of the Halakhoth in the order of their supposed introduction or promulgation. In the first class, or Halakhoth of Moses from Sinai,' tradition enumerates fifty-five, [6370] which may be thus designated: religio-agrarian, four; [6371] ritual, including questions about clean and unclean,' twenty-three; [6372] concerning …
Alfred Edersheim—The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah

The Quotation in Matt. Ii. 6.
Several interpreters, Paulus especially, have asserted that the interpretation of Micah which is here given, was that of the Sanhedrim only, and not of the Evangelist, who merely recorded what happened and was said. But this assertion is at once refuted when we consider the object which Matthew has in view in his entire representation of the early life of Jesus. His object in recording the early life of Jesus is not like that of Luke, viz., to communicate historical information to his readers. …
Ernst Wilhelm Hengstenberg—Christology of the Old Testament

Covenanting Performed in Former Ages with Approbation from Above.
That the Lord gave special token of his approbation of the exercise of Covenanting, it belongs to this place to show. His approval of the duty was seen when he unfolded the promises of the Everlasting Covenant to his people, while they endeavoured to perform it; and his approval thereof is continually seen in his fulfilment to them of these promises. The special manifestations of his regard, made to them while attending to the service before him, belonged to one or other, or both, of those exhibitions …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Covenanting a Duty.
The exercise of Covenanting with God is enjoined by Him as the Supreme Moral Governor of all. That his Covenant should be acceded to, by men in every age and condition, is ordained as a law, sanctioned by his high authority,--recorded in his law of perpetual moral obligation on men, as a statute decreed by him, and in virtue of his underived sovereignty, promulgated by his command. "He hath commanded his covenant for ever."[171] The exercise is inculcated according to the will of God, as King and …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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