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2 Chronicles Chapter 31 (ESV)

 

1 Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah and broke in pieces the pillars and cut down the Asherim and broke down the high places and the altars throughout all Judah and Benjamin, and in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the people of Israel returned to their cities, every man to his possession.

2 And Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and of the Levites, division by division, each according to his service, the priests and the Levites, for burnt offerings and peace offerings, to minister in the gates of the camp of the Lord and to give thanks and praise. 3 The contribution of the king from his own possessions was for the burnt offerings: the burnt offerings of morning and evening, and the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths, the new moons, and the appointed feasts, as it is written in the Law of the Lord. 4 And he commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion due to the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to the Law of the Lord…

 

20 Thus Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God. 21 And every work that he undertook in the service of the house of God and in accordance with the law and the commandments, seeking his God, he did with all his heart, and prospered.

 

REFLECTION:

1. Why is idol-worshipping a great sin? It is because although the Israelites belong only to Yahweh, they chose to pursue and become close to their idols instead. They do not worship the Creator but worship His creations. We will commit the same mistake of worshipping the idol if we do not put God first in our heart. When we think of treasures, feasts and fame more than God, we are actually worshipping these things as God. The people of Judah were exiled abroad because they worshipped idols. Although we are not exiled to foreign lands by enemies, we will receive God’s discipline if we value worldly matters more than spiritual matters. Reflect again if you still have idols in your life that are not removed, how will you rely on God to remove these idols?
2. Hezekiah was not a perfect man and he didn’t have the great achievements of King David and King Solomon. However, he was blessed by God because he “did what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God” and he brought spiritual renewal to the people of Judah. Reflect how you will learn from the example of Hezekiah to be a person who seeks God in your life, and brings spiritual renewal to yourself and to those around you.

 

PRAYER:

Open your heart before God and ask Him to enlighten you and remove the darkness and filthiness in your heart, to completely smash the idols in your life. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand God’s will so that your spiritual life will be renewed and matured as you follow God’s will.

 

HYMN:

“Rescue” – www.youtube.com/watch?v=vLGQkPy5PPE