2 Chronicles 35:17
The Israelites who were present also observed the Passover at that time, as well as the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days.
The Israelites who were present
This phrase refers to the Israelites who were in Jerusalem at the time of King Josiah's Passover celebration. Josiah was a reforming king of Judah who sought to restore the worship of Yahweh according to the Law of Moses. The presence of Israelites indicates a gathering of the people from various tribes, emphasizing unity and collective worship. This gathering is significant as it reflects a return to covenant faithfulness, reminiscent of earlier times when all Israel gathered for worship, such as during the reigns of David and Solomon.

also observed the Passover at that time
The Passover is a pivotal event in Israel's history, commemorating their deliverance from slavery in Egypt. It is a time of remembrance and celebration of God's salvation and faithfulness. Josiah's observance of the Passover is notable because it was conducted according to the prescriptions found in the Book of the Law, which had been rediscovered during his reign. This observance is a return to the foundational practices of the faith, highlighting a revival of religious purity and devotion. The Passover also serves as a type of Christ, foreshadowing Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.

as well as the Feast of Unleavened Bread for seven days
The Feast of Unleavened Bread immediately follows the Passover and lasts for seven days. It involves the removal of leaven from homes, symbolizing the removal of sin and corruption. This feast is a time of purification and dedication to God, reinforcing the themes of holiness and separation from sin. The seven-day duration signifies completeness and perfection in biblical numerology. The observance of this feast alongside the Passover underscores a comprehensive return to the practices commanded in the Torah, reflecting a holistic approach to worship and obedience.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Josiah
The King of Judah who reigned from approximately 640 to 609 BC. Known for his religious reforms and efforts to restore the worship of Yahweh, Josiah is a central figure in this passage.

2. Jerusalem
The capital city of Judah, where the Passover celebration took place. It was the spiritual and political center of the Jewish people.

3. Passover
A significant Jewish festival commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt. In this context, it represents a return to covenant faithfulness under Josiah's leadership.

4. The Israelites
The people of Judah and remnants of the northern tribes who participated in the Passover celebration, symbolizing unity and collective worship.

5. The Priests and Levites
Religious leaders responsible for conducting the Passover rituals and ensuring adherence to the Law of Moses.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Obedience
Josiah's observance of the Passover demonstrates the importance of adhering to God's commands. Believers today are called to live in obedience to God's Word, reflecting His holiness in their lives.

Revival and Reform
Josiah's actions show that true revival begins with a return to God's Word and a commitment to His ways. Personal and communal renewal requires a heart aligned with God's purposes.

Unity in Worship
The gathering of the Israelites for Passover illustrates the power of unified worship. Christians are encouraged to come together in worship, fostering community and shared faith.

Remembrance and Celebration
The Passover serves as a reminder of God's deliverance and faithfulness. Believers are called to remember and celebrate God's work in their lives, fostering gratitude and trust.

Leadership and Influence
Josiah's leadership had a profound impact on the nation. Christians in positions of influence are encouraged to lead by example, promoting godliness and righteousness.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Josiah's observance of the Passover challenge us to prioritize obedience to God's Word in our own lives?

2. In what ways can we seek personal and communal revival today, following Josiah's example of reform?

3. How can we foster unity in our worship communities, and why is this important for our spiritual growth?

4. What are some practical ways we can remember and celebrate God's faithfulness in our daily lives?

5. How can we use our influence, like Josiah, to encourage others towards godliness and righteousness in our communities?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 12
The original institution of the Passover, providing the historical and theological foundation for the celebration described in 2 Chronicles 35:17.

2 Kings 23
A parallel account of Josiah's reforms and the Passover celebration, offering additional details and context.

Deuteronomy 16
Instructions for observing the Passover, highlighting the importance of obedience to God's commands.

1 Corinthians 5
Paul’s reference to Christ as our Passover lamb, connecting the Old Testament celebration to the New Testament fulfillment in Jesus.
The Great Passover of JosiahT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 35:1-19
The Moral of the PassoverW. Clarkson 2 Chronicles 35:17-19
People
Aaron, Asaph, Charchemish, Conaniah, David, Hashabiah, Heman, Hilkiah, Jeduthun, Jehiel, Jeiel, Jeremiah, Josiah, Jozabad, Levites, Necho, Nethaneel, Samuel, Shemaiah, Solomon
Places
Carchemish, Egypt, Euphrates River, Holy Place, Jerusalem, Megiddo
Topics
Bread, Celebrated, Feast, Held, Kept, Observed, Passover, Present, Seven, Sons, Thus, Unleavened
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 35:17

     1653   numbers, 6-10
     4975   week
     5312   feasting

2 Chronicles 35:1-19

     7245   Judah, kingdom of
     8466   reformation

Library
Cheer Up, My Comrades!
The first thing is to get every man into his proper place; the next thing is for every man to have a good spirit in his present place, so as to occupy it worthily. I will suppose, dear friends, that in the providence of God you are in your place, and that by the direction of God's Spirit you have also sought and found the precise form of usefulness in which you ought to exercise yourself. To-night it shall not be my business to arrange you; but assuming that it is well for you to keep where you are,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 26: 1880

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

Importance in Luke's History of the Story of the Birth of Christ
IT needs no proof that Luke attached the highest importance to this part of his narrative. That Jesus was indicated from the beginning as the Messiah -- though not a necessary part of his life and work, and wholly omitted by Mark and only briefly indicated in mystical language by John -- was a highly interesting and important fact in itself, and could not fail to impress the historian. The elaboration and detail of the first two chapters of the Gospel form a sufficient proof that Luke recognized
Sir William Mitchell Ramsay—Was Christ Born in Bethlehem?

Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
"Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before Me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place."--2 Kings
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

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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