S) "18 For a multitude of the people, even many from Ephraim and Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun, had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover otherwise than prescribed. For Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, 'May the good Lord pardon 19 everyone who prepares his heart to seek God, the Lord God of his fathers, though not according to the purification rules of the sanctuary.' 20 So the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people."
2 Chronicles 30:18-20 (NASB)
O) Hezekiah accomplished great reform in Judah, shortly after Israel's exile to Assyria. He started with the cleansing of God's temple (chapter 29), and continued his reforms as we read in today's chapter. One of the most remarkable miracles, was the return of many of his estranged countrymen. Hundreds of years of, what was essentially, civil war, had estranged 10 tribes from Judah and Benjamin (who comprised the kingdom of Judah). In this chapter, Hezekiah had sent letters out, inviting all of the remnant of Israel back to Jerusalem, to begin worshiping the LORD together again. The response he received was not unanimous, but many people did return to worship together. Then, we read in the above verse, that many of those who returned were still ceremonially unclean, so Hezekiah prayed for them, that God would look at their hearts. Hezekiah was confident that their very presence in their return to Jerusalem, was evidence that they were seeking God in good faith. So, although they were failing to meet the requirements of the law, God was faithful to forgive them, and bring them back into fellowship with Him, and with each other. The last verse above, says the LORD heard the king, and healed the people. The passage is curiously devoid of any illness descriptions. It doesn't even say anyone was ill, let alone what kind of healing they needed. This leads to the obvious conclusion, that this healing was not physical. This was a spiritual healing. This was the healing that comes after discipline has taken place. They were healed in their hearts, restored to their rightful places as sons.
A) What a great foreshadow, of what it means to come to God in faith, now. My experience is not unique, in my return to the LORD, my God. And, when I came back to God, there was a lot of garbage in my heart, that still needed to be cleaned. What must be remembered, though, is that God does the cleaning. It was only up to me to allow Him into the "rooms" of my heart. This process is still underway, now. God is not done healing me, in truth, because I have not been done sinning. Sin leads to death, and as long as I still fall prey to my temptations, then I will continue to need His healing. This will continue until the day I am perfected in Jesus Christ. The key to all of this, will always be the posture of my heart. If I am prepared in my heart to seek God, then I will be ready in my heart to meet Him. I will not be ready on the basis of the rules I have kept, but on the basis of His grace, healing me by the work of Jesus Christ.
P) Father, Your grace is amazing. In my estrangement You sent a messenger. You sent the Holy Spirit, to draw me back to worship. You brought me back, calling me into fellowship once more. You offered me a place at the Passover, in a way. You offered me a place at Your table, even though I was completely ignoring You every chance I could. You offered me healing and pardon. You knew I wouldn't worship You the right way, at first. You knew I would fail to walk in Your ways perfectly. But, You still wanted me to join You. Even though I still stumble, Lord, You have been faithfully inviting me back, over and over, each day. Please continue to pardon and heal me. Let me find restoration and regeneration, as I continue to come back in repentance. Be glorified in my brokenness. Be glorified in my healing. In Jesus's name I pray. Amen.
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