Hezekiah Organizes the Priests

 

 

 

 

2 Chronicles 31:11-21

 

September 13, 2023

 

Hezekiah Organizes the Priests

 

 Then Hezekiah commanded them to prepare chambers in the house of the Lord, and they prepared them.  And they faithfully brought in the contributions, the tithes, and the dedicated things. The chief officer in charge of them was Conaniah the Levite, with Shimei his brother as second, while Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah were overseers assisting Conaniah and Shimei his brother, by the appointment of Hezekiah the king and Azariah the chief officer of the house of God.  And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, keeper of the east gate, was over the freewill offerings to God, to apportion the contribution reserved for the Lord and the most holy offerings.  Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah were faithfully assisting him in the cities of the priests, to distribute the portions to their brothers, old and young alike, by divisions, except those enrolled by genealogy, males from three years old and upward—all who entered the house of the Lord as the duty of each day required—for their service according to their offices, by their divisions.  The enrollment of the priests was according to their fathers' houses; that of the Levites from twenty years old and upward was according to their offices, by their divisions.  They were enrolled with all their little children, their wives, their sons, and their daughters, the whole assembly, for they were faithful in keeping themselves holy.  And for the sons of Aaron, the priests, who were in the fields of common land belonging to their cities, there were men in the several cities who were designated by name to distribute portions to every male among the priests and to everyone among the Levites who was enrolled.

Thus, Hezekiah did throughout all Judah, and he did what was good and right and faithful before the Lord his God.  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.

Have you ever given thought to the word “IF” only two letters yet it has changed history by those who took it seriously?  Some have looked at that word as Hezekiah has done and said, " I will lead my nation to do so, and others as is the case in our nation have not.  Just a two-letter word, but in it hangs the tide of history.  Nations have risen and fallen on what they did with the word if.

 

If we the Church, not the masses that show up on Sunday morning but the Church, would believe and obey 2 Chronicles 7:14, ^“If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.”

You know that verse, and you quote it to others, but have you examined your heart to see if you following Jesus are some political party.  Being a follower of Christ has not one iota to do with your denominations, are your good acts, it does have to do with your will, have you confess your need for a Savior!  Have you asked Jesus to forgive you and ask him by the faith He has given you to come in and be your only authority?  

If for any reason the question above bothers you, maybe you need to read the gospels once more and ask Jesus to reveal himself to you.  It is the most important relationship you have.

From the Back Porch,

Bob Rice