In a broken and divided land, Hezekiah reaches out to all the people to come together to remember God and the salvation that he provided.
Then Hezekiah sent word throughout all Israel and Judah, and he also wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh to come to the Lord’s temple in Jerusalem to observe the Passover of Yahweh, the God of Israel.
2 Chronicles 30:1 (HCSB)
Preparations were made and the message went out.
6 So the couriers went throughout Israel and Judah with letters from the hand of the king and his officials, and according to the king’s command, saying, “Israelites, return to Yahweh, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel so that He may return to those of you who remain, who have escaped from the grasp of the kings of Assyria. 7 Don’t be like your fathers and your brothers who were unfaithful to Yahweh, the God of their ancestors so that He made them an object of horror as you yourselves see. 8 Don’t become obstinate now like your fathers did. Give your allegiance to Yahweh, and come to His sanctuary that He has consecrated forever. Serve the Lord your God so that He may turn His burning anger away from you, 9 for when you return to Yahweh, your brothers and your sons will receive mercy in the presence of their captors and will return to this land. For Yahweh your God is gracious and merciful; He will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him.”
2 Chronicles 30:6-9 (HCSB)
Hezekiah gives a stirring message of hope. We have been stubborn and unfaithful–horrible–but things can turn around now. God is merciful and will again set the captives free!
10 The couriers traveled from city to city in the land of Ephraim and Manasseh as far as Zebulun, but the inhabitants laughed at them and mocked them.
2 Chronicles 30:10 (HCSB)
Pride, bitterness, and cynicism was the answer from Ephraim and Manasseh. We could speculate long on why exactly they laughed at a message of redemption, unity, and hope but let us not bother right now with such speculation. There is no room for pride, bitterness, and cynicism if there is to be true victory and joy. So, rather than speculate let us just see what the mockers missed.
13 A very large assembly of people was gathered in Jerusalem to observe the Festival of Unleavened Bread in the second month… Hezekiah had interceded for [the people], saying, “May the good Lord provide atonement on behalf of 19 whoever sets his whole heart on seeking God…” 20 So the Lord heard Hezekiah and healed the people. 21 The Israelites who were present in Jerusalem observed the Festival of Unleavened Bread seven days with great joy, and the Levites and the priests praised the Lord day after day with loud instruments…
23 The whole congregation decided to observe seven more days, so they observed seven days with joy, … 26 There was great rejoicing in Jerusalem, for nothing like this was known since the days of Solomon son of David, the king of Israel.
27 Then the priests and the Levites stood to bless the people, and God heard their voice, and their prayer came into His holy dwelling place in heaven.
2 Chronicles 30:13-27 (HCSB)
See what gladness, healing, and blessing was experienced when imperfect people came together to worship the Lord God with whole hearts. Putting the past behind and their future in His hands, they spent those days wholly focused on Him who is worthy. The outcome was a unique moment in history, such as had not been seen in hundreds of years.
Consider how you might give yourself over to God, in unity with others. We can be the laughers and mockers who sit alone in misery or people of unity and purpose who can overlook some particulars and past hurts for a better and brighter future.
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