Another joyful time of celebration that stands out is the celebration of the Passover that took place under King Hezekiah’s reign. Although this was not really a Thanksgiving feast, it was certainly a time of national rejoicing and celebration. The account of this event can be read in II Chronicles 29 – 31.
The first thing that took place was that the Levites sanctified themselves and the house of the LORD God and took all the filthiness out of the temple. Anything that did not belong there was removed. Everything unclean was taken out. They also opened up the porches and lit the lamps and prepared things for burning incense. They were also encouraged to make a covenant before the Lord. Offerings were made for sin and then peace and drink offerings were made as well. The Levites were set in their places with the instruments of David and the priests with the trumpets. Besides the trumpets, there were cymbals and psalteries and harps. “And all the congregation worshipped, and the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded: and all this continued until the burnt offering was finished.” (II Chronicles 29:28)
The time of offering was followed by worship and glad singing, “29) And when they had made an end of offering, the king and all that were present with him bowed themselves, and worshipped. 30) Moreover Hezekiah the king and the princes commanded the Levites to sing praise unto the LORD with the words of David, and of Asaph the seer. And they sang praises with gladness, and they bowed their heads and worshipped.” (verses 29 and 30)
After the time of worship and singing, more sacrifices were offered, as well as thank offerings. These came from everyone who gave from a free heart. “So the service of the house of the LORD was set in order. And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, that God had prepared the people: for the thing was done suddenly.” (verses 35b and 36)
When this time of removing the unclean and preparing the hearts and the house of the Lord was finished, Hezekiah sent letters out to all Israel and Judah and Ephraim and Manasseh to come to the house of the Lord to keep the Passover. “For if ye turn again unto the LORD, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.” (II Chronicles 30:9) Not everyone came to keep the Passover, but many did. And what a Passover it was! “21) And the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing with loud instruments unto the LORD. 22) And Hezekiah spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to the LORD God of their fathers.” (verses 21,22)
This observance of the Passover was such a wonderful time that “the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept other seven days with gladness... 26)So there was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem. 27) Then the priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.” (verses 23,26,27)
When this feast was over, the Israelites continued cleaning up the sin and defilement from the nation, “Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.” (II Chronicles 31:1)
After this, the priests and the Levites were set in their courses and fulfilled their duties. The people gave such as they needed for the work. The people gave so much that “as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly… they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps… And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel… And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.” (See verses 5 – 10)
When things are done God’s way, and when the sin and defilement are removed, there is great rejoicing and gladness and blessing from the Lord. May it be so once again in our nation. What a time of joy that would be!