Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1898-11-03
HEzEKIAH's GREAT PASSOVER
sunday school Lesson in the Tnterna-
tionaI Lesson Series for November
9. 1852 Chronicles 30:I-I3.


B1-l0, and Isa-, Chap. g.
TIME.-The early part of Hezekiah's
reign, which extended from 72s-se7, or. ac-
cording TO Kent. 715-6SS There are some
difficulties in the chronology.
THE LESSON
We now return to the regular nara
tive in Chronicles, after our view of the
times from Isaiahs point of view.
Israel at the time of this lesson was
under King Hosea. and it was just be-
fore the final invasion of Assyria,
which in three years ended in the de-
struction of the northern kingdom.
Assyria was then the most powerful
Kingdom of the world, under Shalman-
eser ~. The kingdom of Judah had
begun to deteriorate in the latter part
of the reign of the great and prosper
Gus Uzziah, great-grandfather of Hez-
ekiah, but it 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 of
David. and who left the kingdom both
morally and politically in a most de-
based and humiliating position.
l. Cleansing the Temple. Beginning
New Years day of the first year of his
reign q Chron. 29:3-9, ~. The closed
doors were again thrown open. Re-
pairs 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 eek. 24:3-S) oc-
cur. 29:10, and religious worship with
its various offerings and the music of
orchestra and choir was reorganized,
29:11-36.
II. Invitations Sent Far and
Wide-vs. 1-12. l. "And Hezelciah 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.
2. For the king had taken counsel:"
He was wise in making plans. and in
getting so many to join with him in
the work. Keep the passover in the
second month";" This was allowable
lin case of absence on a journey or
temporary defilement (Num. 9:1O-11).
8. 80 the posts went with the letters
from the king and his princes through
out all Israel and Judah, and accord
ing to the commandment Of the king,
saying. Ye children of Israel, turn
again unto the Lord God Of Abraham,
Isaac and Israel, and he win return TO
the remnant of you. that are escaped
ont of the hand of the kings of Assy-
ria"
III. Two Ways OF Treating the Invita-
ton. "a V. 10. But they laughed
them to scorn, and Knocked them"
They threw away their only hope.
They had no appreciation Of their own
danger, nor of the possible good that
was offered to them. Within three
years after the rejection of this invita-
tion 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
northern kingdom.
(2) H. Nevertheless. divers
humbled themselves, and came:" 1t
was humiliating to leave their own
country, to find righteousness and
safety in another. They doubtless had
TO suffer indignities and scorn from
their neighbors.
IN. Great Religious Meetings.-V.
10. The next month a great passover
feast was held for IA days, with an
immense number OF sacrifices, and
with great gladness. so that "since the
time of Solomon there was not the like
in Jerusalem"
V. Religious Heze-
kiah spake comfortably unto all the
Levites that taught the good knowl-
edge OF the Lord" $40: 22). Examples
of what was probably done are found
&c Chron. 1890, 81. under Josiah and in
Neh. SLIP.
vi. Religious Activity Against Sin.
The Destruction of Idols e. Chron
31:1; Kings 1870. Immediately after
the grea. Passover described above,
the people, in their enthusiasm, went
through the country destroying idols
and idolatry in every form. breaking
the images in pieces, cutting down the
groves and symbolical pillars, destroy
ing the high places and their affairs.
VII. Renewal of the Regular Sup
port of Public Worship Chron.
1886. King Hezekiah set the people
the example in giving portion of his
wealth for the support Of the priests
and the temple sacrifices, and then
commanded the people to do the same,
and they brought in abundance of the
first fruits.
VIII. Results.-(D There was an i'm
provement in morals as well as re-
ligion; they kept the Commandments;
they were generous; they had great
JOY in GODS service. He did that
which was good, and right, and truth,
before the Lord his God with all
his heart e Chron. 1920, cl). (2) The
enemies OF Judah were conquered G
Kings 1876. -. the Phi'istines driven
out OF the country, ard the yoke Of
Assyria thrown off, CD There was
great outward prosperity. "Hezekiah
had exceeding much riches and honor"