Thursday, January 8, 2015

2 Chronicles, Day 4 Readings

Hezekiah's Reform and the Great Passover Celebration  

Today's first reading describes the beginning of the religious reform undertaken by King Hezekiah.  Evidently, the Temple had fallen into disrepair because of a lack of money and a lack on interest.  Hezekiah directs the repair of the Temple, which is then ritual cleansed (implying that worship of false gods had been occurring at the Temple under previous kings).  After this, proper worship of God is restored at the Temple.

Read 2 Chronicles 29:1-24  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

The second selection tells how Hezekiah then planned a massive celebration of Passover throughout Judah.  (In fact, Hezekiah invited the northern kingdom of Israel to participate too, but they mostly refused.)  When people arrive to participate who did not understand exactly how they were supposed to celebrate Passover -- likely people who were not ritually clean -- Hezekiah offered a prayer to God that they be forgiven their oversight in order to encourage their excitement at worshiping the one true God.

Read 2 Chronicles 30:1-27  (NIV)   (NRSV)   (CEB)
[links to Bible Gateway open in a new window]

Reading the Bible in Its Entirety

If you are planning to read the Bible in its entirety, you should read 2 Chronicles 22-28 today.