30:1 The Passover celebration commemorated the time when God spared the lives of Israel’s firstborn sons in Egypt. God had promised to send a plague to kill all the firstborn sons except in those homes where the blood of a slain lamb had been painted on the doorposts. The Israelites obeyed, and when the destroyer saw the blood, he “passed over” the house and did not harm anyone in it (Exodus 12:23). After this plague, Pharaoh freed the Israelites from slavery. This celebration was to be a yearly reminder of how God delivered his people. The careful preparations, both in the Temple and for the feast, show that this was not a temporary or impulsive revival, but a deep-seated change of heart and life.
30:2, 3 God’s law had a provision that, under certain circumstances, the Passover could be celebrated one month later (Numbers 9:10, 11).
30:6-9 Hezekiah was a king dedicated to God and to the spiritual progress of the nation. He sent letters throughout Judah and Israel urging everyone to return to God. He told them not to be stubborn but to yield themselves to the Lord. To yield means to obey him first, submitting our bodies, minds, wills, and emotions to him. His Holy Spirit must guide and renew every part of us. Only then will we be able to temper our stubborn selfishness.
30:10 The northern kingdom of Israel had recently been conquered by Assyria, and most of the people had been carried away to foreign lands. Hezekiah sent a proclamation to the few people who remained, inviting them to come to the Passover (30:1), but most responded with scorn and ridicule. People may mock you when you try to promote spiritual renewal and growth. Are you prepared to be ridiculed for your faith? When it comes your way, do not waver. Stand strong in your faith, as Hezekiah did, and God will honor you.
30:11 These people invited to the Passover scorned Hezekiah’s messengers, but some accepted the invitation. Our efforts to tell others about God often meet with similar reactions. Many people will laugh at an invitation to accept Christ. But this must not stop us from reaching out. If you know and understand that rejecting the gospel is common, you can guard against feelings of personal rejection. Remember that the Holy Spirit convicts and convinces. Our task is to invite others to consider God’s actions, his claims, and his promises.
30:14 Just as the priests had purified the Temple (29:4, 5), so the people cleared the city of pagan idols and then purified themselves to prepare for worship (30:17-19). Even the good kings of Judah found it difficult to get rid of the idols and altars in the pagan shrines (2 Kings 14:4; 2 Chronicles 20:33). Finally, Hezekiah, with the help of his people, completed this task.
30:15 The people were so zealous to celebrate the Passover and bring offerings to the Temple that the priests and Levites were ashamed they did not share the same enthusiasm. The zeal of common people’s faith motivated the ministers to take action. Devout laypeople today can motivate professional church staff to rekindle their enthusiasm for God’s work. Laypeople should never be shut out of church government or decision making. The church needs their good examples of faith.
30:22 One important purpose of the peace offering was to express gratitude to God for health or for safety in times of crisis.
30:26 It had been more than 200 years since there had been such a celebration in Jerusalem.