Throughout Israel’s history, we see neglect and return. Israel neglects the commands of God, repents, and returns to the ways of God. At times, we catch ourselves judging Israel and thinking, how could a people who saw such great miracles so quickly turn from God? But in reality, we are no different; we often neglect to obey the Lord, we forget to repent of the “little sins,” and at times don’t even realize we have committed them.
Time and again, we see God extend grace and mercy to His chosen people. Countless Scriptures speak of God’s everlasting covenant and how He will not cast away His own.
In Second Chronicles chapter thirty, we see such a story. Israel had neglected the Passover for years, but had returned to the ways of God and wanted to honor the Lord by celebrating His feast. The only problem was that it was the second month; Passover had already passed over; what was Israel to do?
2 Chronicles 30:1-5 “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. 4 And the thing pleased the king and all the congregation. 5 So they established a decree to make proclamation throughout all Israel, from Beer-sheba even to Dan, that they should come to keep the passover unto the Lord God of Israel at Jerusalem: for they had not done it of a long time in such sort as it was written.”
It goes on to say in verses eighteen through twenty, “For a multitude of the people, even many of Ephraim, and Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet did they eat the passover otherwise than it was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, The good Lord pardon every one 19 that prepareth his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers, though he be not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary. 20 And the Lord hearkened to Hezekiah, and healed the people.”
The time of the feast had passed, but the people wanted to honor the Lord, and He granted their request. That is the grace of God, and that is the love of God’s people. So before we are quick to judge Israel for their mistakes, let us examine ourselves. Even when the people were not fully prepared for the festival, God extended mercy and allowed them to celebrate.
Joy so overwhelmed the people of Israel that they decided to celebrate for seven more days. This is the joy that is found in serving God! Think about it, three times a year; God invites His people to a celebration, a feast of the Lord! This is the joy of our salvation, and this story displays the grace and mercy of God and His love of celebration.
Remember the words of Hebrews 4:14-16 “Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession. 15 For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.”
That is our God, and that is our Lord and Savior! When we sin, we should run to Him, not from Him! There is grace and forgiveness for those who repent. There is correction and direction for those who seek the wisdom of God, and there is a celebration to be had at our Father’s table.
Leave a Reply