The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1898-11-04
HEZEKIAH'S GREAT PASSOVER
sunday school Lesson In the interns>
tionaI Lesson series for November
u, IsDs-. Chronicles "oit-sJ-


scther with the parallel passages hings
is.i-i0. and 1sa- Chap. ~
TIME-The early part OF Hezekiahs
reign. which extended from 72s-ss7. OF. ac-
cordirg TO Kert. 7l5-ess. There are some
dlfilculties ia the chronology.
THE LESSON.
We now return to the regular nara
tive in Chronicles. after our view OF the
times from Isaiah's point Of view.
Israel at the time OF this lesson was
under King Hosea. and IL was just be-
fore the final invasion OF Assyrla,
which in three years ended in the de-
struction OF the northern kingdom
Aesyria was then the most powerful
Kingdom of the world. under Shalman-
eser ~. The kingdom of Judah had
begun 10 deteriorate in the latter part
of the reign Of the great and prosper
Gus Uzziah. great-grandfather OF Hez-
ekiah. but il grew rapidly worse dur
ing the 16 years of his father Ahaz,
who has the reputation of being the
worst of all the princes OF the house or
David. and who left the kingdom both
morally and politically in most de-
based and humilsting position.
/. Cleansing the Temple.-Beginning
New Years day of the frs. year of his
reign q Chron. 29:3-9. ~. The closed
doors were again thrown open Re-
nairs were made. The accumulated
| filth of years was carried out and cast
into the Kidron valley. The affairs were
renewed the lamps trimmed and Lighted,
and the whole service set in motion.
Solemn renewal of the original COW
enant which God made with their IA
theirs in the wilderness (Ex. 24:3-s) oc-
cur. 29:lo. and religious worship with
its various offerings and the music OF
orchestra and choir was reorganized,
29:1i-36.
III. Invitations Sent Far and
Wide-ys. 1-12. /. "And Hezeliah sent
TO all Israel and Judah" Possibly Hez-
ekiah had hope of uniting the king
doms into one strong and glorious king
dom like that OF David. The movement
was noble. earnest and hopeful.
?. "For the king had taken COUNSEL"
He was wise in making plans. and in
getting so many 10 join with him in
the work. Keep the passover in the
second month" This was allowable
I'm case of absence on a journey.or
temporary defilement (Num. 9:1O-ll)-
6. $50 the posts went with the letters
from the king and his princes through
ont all Israel and Judah. and accord
inr 10 the commandment OF the king
saving. We children Of Israel, turn
again unto the Lord God Of Abraham,
Isaac and Israel. and he viii return 10
the remnant OF you. that are escaped
, out OF the hand of the kings OF Assy-
: ria
, III. TwoWays OF Treating the Invita-
(, ton. 1D v. 10. "Bu. they laughed
| them TO scorn. and Knocked them
y They threw away their only hope.
I They had no appreciation Of their own
! danger. nor Of the possible good that
: was offered TO them. Within three
4 years after the rejection OF this invita-
/. ton Shalmaneser had begun his great
: siege of Samaria. which ended within
|, three Years in the final captivity Of the
!. Israelites. and the destruction Of the
2 northern kingdom.
: f2) II. Nevertheless. divers .
n humbled themselves, and came;" IL
= was humiiiating TO leave their own
: country. 10 find righteousness and
safety in another. They doubtless had
q !
n their neichbors.
: ~. Great Religious Meetings.-v-
IL. The aext month a great passover
feast was held for IA days. with an
immense number Of sacrifices, and
with great gladnese. so that since the
= time OF Solomon there was not the like
in Jerusalem"
Y. Religious Observation-Disclosures
kiah spake comfortably unto all the
l. Iev;tes that taught the good knowl-
y ed.re Of the Lord" (3O:22). Examples
Of what wa. probably done are found
n 70 Chron. 34:30. 31) under Josiah and in
); Neh. SLIP.
u VI. Religious Activity Against Sin
The Destruction OF Idols t2 0ron
31:I: Kings 1870. Immediately after
N the great Passover described above
!. the people. in their enthusiasm, went
through the country destroying idols
"A and idolatry in every form. breaking
&. tn. images in pieces. cutting down th'
~ groves and symbolical pillars. destroy
y ing the high places and their affairs
IN VII. Renewal of the Regular Sup
T. mort OF Public Worship Chron
~ 3:3-6. King Hezekiah set the people
the example in giving portion OF M
4. wealth for the support OF the priests
and the temple sacrifices, and thei
n. commanded the people TO do the same
~ and they brought in abundance OF th'
~ first fruits.
70 VIII. Results.-n) There was an i'm
:. provement in morals as well as re
=. ligion: they kept the Commandments
a. they we're generous: they had grea
!. iov in Gods service. "He did tina
~ which was good. and right. and truth
- before the Lord his God with al
81 his heart q Chron. 1920. 2n. CD Tn
enemies OF Judah were conquered
nd Kings 1876. ~. the Phi'istines drive
~ out OF the country. and the yoke o
he Assyria thrown Off. CD There wa
an great outward prosperity. "Hezekia
on had exceeding much riches and honor.
he PRACTICAL sJfGC FSTIONS