2 Chronicles 30:1-12
After Hezekiah cleansed the temple, he reestablished the feast and celebration of Passover. This was delayed a month due to the work of restoration and the consecration of the Levites as spiritual leaders. For lasting impact it was essential to restore God defined regular worship beginning with the Passover. This event celebrated what God did for them in bringing them out of Egypt [slavery] and pointed forward to the sacrifice of Jesus as the Lamb of God for its ultimate fulfillment. They sent a proclamation to Judah for all to gather at Jerusalem, but they also sent it to their backslidden neighbors to the north in Israel. The proclamation warned of continuing in the neglect of God that resulted in God’s anger in turning away from them. It also pointed to the good nature of God: “For if you return to the LORD, your brothers and your sons will find compassion in the presence of those who led them captive, and will return to this land. For the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate, and will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him.” (9) Most in the backslidden territory of Israel reacted poorly: “…but they laughed at them with scorn and mocked them. Nevertheless, some men of Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem” (10b-11). Humility is fundamental to repentance! We should note spiritual revivals are characterized by a repentance that is seen in cleansing [consecration] and humbly gathering for worship.