This chapter recounts a small portion of 2 Kings 18, but the majority of it focuses on Hezekiah’s efforts in following the law of God regarding tithes. The chapter begins, “Now when the festival ended, the Israelites who attended went to all the towns of Judah, Benjamin, Ephraim, and Manasseh, and they smashed the sacred pillars, cut down the Asherah poles, and removed the pagan shrines and altars. (Yes! They are recommitted! The Lord is our God, not some wooden pole!) After this, the Israelites returned to their own towns and homes. (2 Chronicles 31:1)
Then Hezekiah gathered the people and praised and worshiped the Lord in front of the Temple. He also made a personal contribution of animals for daily burnt offerings and weekly, monthly, and annual festivals as required in the law of the Lord. (Hezekiah is giving to the Lord, and leading by example.) “In addition, he required the people in Jerusalem to bring the prescribed portion of their income to the priests and Levites, so they could devote themselves fully to the law of the Lord.
The people responded immediately and generously with the first of their crops and grain, new wine, olive oil, honey, and all the produce of their fields. They brought a tithe of all they owned. The people who had moved to Judah from Israel, and the people of Judah themselves, brought in the tithes of their cattle and sheep and a tithe of the things that had been dedicated to the Lord their God, and they piled them up in great heaps. (What does God’s Word say about tithes for our time? I have not given tithes consistently since leaving my church in 2010. I left the church because they seemed more concerned with the “business” (money) of church, than saving lives. As usual, if anyone knows, finds out, or has relevant information to share, please place a comment.) The first of these tithes was brought in late spring, and the heaps continued to grow until early autumn. When Hezekiah and his officials came and saw these huge piles, they thanked the Lord and his people Israel!” (2 Chronicles 31:4-8)
Hezekiah was surprised at how much was brought to the Temple, and Azariah the high priest said, “Since the people began bringing their gifts to the Lord’s Temple, we have had enough to eat and plenty to spare, for the Lord has blessed his people.” (2 Chronicles 31:10)
At this point, Hezekiah decided to create storerooms in the Temple, so they could collect and store all of the gifts and tithes from the people. Various Levites were put in charge of distributing these gifts among the families of priests and Levites across the land.
“In this way, King Hezekiah handled the distribution throughout all Judah, doing what was pleasing and good in the sight of the Lord his God. In all that he did in the service of the Temple of God and in his efforts to follow the law and the commands, Hezekiah sought his God wholeheartedly. As a result, he was very successful.” (2 Chronicles 31:20-21)
Lord, thank you for your Word today! Help us see the importance of giving a portion of our time, money, and belongings to you. And help us seek you wholeheartedly, giving our whole selves to you, like Hezekiah did. We love you!
May the Lord bless you and protect you. May the Lord smile on you and be gracious to you. May the Lord show you his favor and give you his peace.” (Numbers 6:24-26)
….AND MAY WE ALL PRACTICE THIS WITH ONE ANOTHER.
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