2 CHRONICLES LESSON 31


     We will begin this lesson in II Chronicles 31:1 "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."

     If we were speaking of the churches in our day, and something
like this happened, we would say we had a revival. They had a revival,
also.  They were back in fellowship with their LORD. The people were
still enthusiastic and excited about what had taken place. Now, they
went out with zeal and cut down the groves, threw down the high
places, and brake the images and altars to false gods. The children of
Israel went back to their respective homes renewed in their fellowship
with God.

     II Chronicles 31:2  "And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the
priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to
his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace
offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates
of the tents of the LORD."

     We see Hezekiah restored the offices of the priests and the
Levites, as it had been established by Moses.

     II Chronicles 31:3  "[He appointed] also the king's portion of
his substance for the burnt offerings, [to wit], for the morning and
evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths, and
for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as [it is] written in the
law of the LORD."

     We know that Hezekiah gave thousands of animals to be used in the
service of the LORD. The king tithed the same as everyone else. There
was no want of animals for the daily sacrifices. Hezekiah gave them
enough that they could carry on all of the prescribed burnt offerings
with no difficulty. He wanted to keep the letter of the law.

     II Chronicles 31:4 "Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt
in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that
they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD."

     The Levites lived of the offerings of the people. Hezekiah
reminded them that 10% of everything they owned belonged to God.
Hezekiah commanded the people to give their tithe to the priests and
Levites. This way the Levites would have a living too.

     II Chronicles 31:5  "And 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 seemed to be pleased to bring of their substance to sustain
the Levites. It was a privilege to give of their substance for renewed
fellowship with God.

     II Chronicles 31:6 "And [concerning] the children of Israel and
Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, 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."

     The verses, before this one, spoke of those from Jerusalem, and
what they gave. This was speaking of the entire land of Judah, and
even into Israel. They all gave willingly. Holy things were, probably,
speaking of offerings. The heaps showed there was an abundance of
them.

     II Chronicles 31:7 "In the third month they began to lay the
foundation of the heaps, and finished [them] in the seventh month."

     This could be speaking of the grain that was harvested and
brought in. The early harvest is about the third month, and the latter
harvest is in the seventh month. This first time could be speaking of
the end of the Feast of Weeks, or Pentecost. The seventh month harvest
had to do with Feast of Trumpets, and then Tabernacles. At both times,
there was much grain harvested.

     II Chronicles 31:8 "And when Hezekiah and the princes came and
saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel."

     The harvest was plentiful, because the LORD had blessed the
people. Hezekiah first blessed the LORD for providing the harvest.
Then, he blessed the people for bringing their portion as a tithe.

     II Chronicles 31:9 "Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and
the Levites concerning the heaps."

     Now, that they had the grain, they had to figure out how to
handle it. This was what was intended above.

     II Chronicles 31:10 "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."

     There had been so much grain coming in, that there was more than
the Levites could use. Now, we see that Azariah was acting high priest
in the temple. This tremendous abundance of grain would have to be
taken care of. Hezekiah would, possibly, be the one, who decided what
to do.

     II Chronicles 31:11  "Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers
in the house of the LORD; and they prepared [them],"

     These chambers would be for the sole purpose of the caring for of
the grain.

     II Chronicles 31:12 "And brought in the offerings and the tithes
and the dedicated [things] faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite
[was] ruler, and Shimei his brother [was] the next."

     It appeared, that Cononiah had been put in charge of the
offerings that had come in. His brother, Shimei, was his helper. These
two men had to be of high character to be trusted with the tithes.
There was so much of it, it would be a tremendous job to just keep it
straight. I am sure, that the high priest and Hezekiah would ask for
an accounting of how it had been distributed. We know for sure, the
LORD would require an accounting. The word "faithfully" gives an
indication these were honest men.

     II Chronicles 31:13 "And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and
Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and
Mahath, and Benaiah, [were] overseers under the hand of Cononiah and
Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and
Azariah the ruler of the house of God."

     These were men, not so responsible for the accounting of the
tithe, as they were the distribution. We know that the physical part
of distributing this grain to the various families of the Levites
would be a large undertaking.

     II Chronicles 31:14 "And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the
porter toward the east, [was] over the freewill offerings of God, to
distribute the oblations of the LORD, and the most holy things."

     The freewill offerings of the LORD were shared with the family of
the person who offered. This, again, would be a task to divide fairly.
This was not an offering of obligation. All offerings were taken to
the temple and given. It was up to the one who was in authority in
that particular area, to see that it was divided properly. All of
these offerings remind me of the offerings taken to the church, and
given to the LORD for use in His work. It is very important for the
church to have honest people in charge of the receiving and
distributing of the funds received by the church.

     II Chronicles 31:15 "And next him [were] Eden, and Miniamin, and
Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the
priests, in [their] set office, to give to their brethren by courses,
as well to the great as to the small:"  II Chronicles 31:16 "Beside
their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, [even] unto
every one that entereth into the house of the LORD, his daily portion
for their service in their charges according to their courses;"

     All of the Levites were to share in the offerings equally. It was
necessary to have men who took care of this. If they did not, some
would get too much, and others nothing at all.

     II Chronicles 31:17 "Both to the genealogy of the priests by the
house of their fathers, and the Levites from twenty years old and
upward, in their charges by their courses;" II Chronicles 31:18 "And
to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their
sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their
set office they sanctified themselves in holiness:"

     The verses, above, are explaining how they decided who needed
what portion. The children and wives of the Levites lived of the
gifts, as well as the Levites. The inheritance of the Levites was to
share with the altar the things offered there-on.

     II Chronicles 31:19 "Also of the sons of Aaron the priests,
[which were] in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every
several city, the men that were expressed by name, to give portions to
all the males among the priests, and to all that were reckoned by
genealogies among the Levites."

     This is just explaining that even those who did not work in the
temple, but had other duties, were cared for, also. They were reckoned
by the names of the father of each family of Levites.

     II Chronicles 31:20 "And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah,
and wrought [that which was] good and right and truth before the LORD
his God."

     Hezekiah wanted to do everything God's way. He was a man after
God's own heart. He was righteous in the sight of the LORD. His
actions proved his faith in the LORD.

     II Chronicles 31:21 "And in every work that he began in the
service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments,
to seek his God, he did [it] with all his heart, and prospered."

     Hezekiah would receive tremendous blessings from God, because he
kept God's commandments and law. He was careful to carry out his
obligations in the house of the LORD, as well. His heart was stayed
upon God. We, Christians, should desire to do God's will in everything
in our lives, as well. A blessed life is a life stayed upon God.
















                       2 Chronicles 31 Questions


1.  When the 14 days of celebration and feast were over, what did the
    people do?
2.  How could we compare what happened then, to a happening in our
    churches today?
3.  Who appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites?
4.  This had originally been established by whom?
5.  The king's portion is speaking of what?
6.  These large numbers of sacrificial animals, that Hezekiah had
    given, would be used for what?
7.  What did Hezekiah command the people to do?
8.  Who received their living of the offerings?
9.  What percentage of what they owned belonged to God?
10. How did the people respond to Hezekiah's command to give their
    tithes?
11. Who, besides those in Jerusalem, brought an offering?
12. What were the heaps?
13. What did they decide to do with the abundant offerings?
14. Who was over the offerings and tithes?
15. Who was his assistant?
16. The men listed, in verse 13, were involved in the ____________.
17. Who was over the freewill offerings?
18. This was not an offering of ___________.
19. Who received of the offerings and tithes, besides the priests?
20. Quote 2 Chronicles chapter 31 verse 20.
21. How did Hezekiah serve the LORD?