Hezekiah’s first priority was to reopen the temple in Jerusalem. This was accomplished in the previous chapter, ending with a great celebration. Now in 2 Chronicles 30, he plans a more formal and official event to include God’s people as a whole. The timing seemed perfect, since Passover was near. How appropriate it would be to gather everyone at this time for the annual reminder of the LORD’s salvation, when He redeemed Israel from Egyptian bondage, making them His very own people! Then again, the timing was not quite perfect, because Passover was supposed to be held during the first month of the year, and all the purification and dedication ceremonies had taken up most of that month. Not enough priests had consecrated themselves to carry out their duties if a lot of people were to show up for the festival. So Hezekiah and his staff avail themselves of the provision granted by the law of Moses to postpone it until the second month. Hezekiah wanted it to include all of the Hebrew people, so he not only invites everyone from Judah to participate, but also those who had survived the forced exile of the northern kingdom (v 1-4). Messengers went throughout the northern regions to extend the king’s invitation to those few people who had not been taken to Assyria. He asks them to return to Yahweh, their true God, and to His temple. Echoing the prayer of Solomon at the original dedication of this temple, Hezekiah confirms his faith in the divine promise that forgiveness and restoration will surely come—if God’s people, though conquered by an enemy because of their sins, truly repent and pray toward the house of the LORD (v 5-9). The results are mixed. At first, people only laugh at the idea. Apparently, it sounded ridiculous to imagine that Yahweh could rescue them, since they had spent their entire lives worshiping other gods who had proven to be powerless. But then a slow trickle of Israelites from tribes in the further north (Zebulun and Asher) begin traveling down to Jerusalem. After a while, the trickle becomes a stream, as more and more people accept the invitation, deciding to return to the ways of their forefathers (v 10-12). Though many of the northerners had not properly cleansed themselves, Hezekiah intercedes with God so that they too are able to eat the Passover lamb. More priests are consecrated, the crowds increase, and the week-long celebration is extended to two weeks. Everyone rejoiced greatly, as people from all the tribes once again drew together in fellowship (v 13-27). For further meditation: