Hezekiah Calls The Nation to Celebrate The Passover

II Chronicles 30:1–12
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This passage finds Hezekiah calling the whole nation back to the celebration of the Passover, the feast that depicts Jesus Christ as the Lamb of God. It had been delayed because many of the priests were still unclean and not everyone in Judah had come to Jerusalem for the festival (vv. 1-4). It was tragic that the spiritual leaders were responsible for delaying this event. Everyone from Beersheba in the south to Dan in the north were invited. 

It had been a long time since the people had celebrated the Passover (v. 5), so Hezekiah sent his messengers everywhere in Israel and Judah commanding the people to come (v. 6). He told them not to follow their ancestors who were unfaithful to the Lord and had been punished by Him because of it (v. 7). He said for them not to be stubborn but to decide now to obey the Lord and worship Him in the temple (v. 8). For if you return to the Lord your brethren and your children will find compassion with their captors and be returned to this land (v. 9).

The messengers went to every town in Ephraim and Manasseh and as far north as Zebulun, but everyone laughed and mocked them (v. 10). However, a few of the people humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem (v. 11). God also made everyone in Judah eager to do what Hezekiah and his officials had commanded (v. 12).

Application

The people who turned down the invitation missed a special opportunity. When God invites me to be a part of what He is doing I want to be a part of it.