What role did the priests and Levites play in 2 Chronicles 35:16? Setting the Scene: Josiah’s Passover Revival • King Josiah restored the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month (2 Chronicles 35:1). • He “set the priests in their duties” and told the Levites, “Serve the LORD your God and His people Israel” (vv. 2–3). • Massive numbers of lambs, goats, and cattle were supplied (vv. 7–9), calling for a well-organized priestly and Levitical workforce. Verse 16 in Focus “So on that day, the entire service of the LORD was carried out to observe the Passover and to offer burnt offerings on the altar of the LORD, according to the command of King Josiah.” (2 Chronicles 35:16) Priests—Sacred Mediators at the Altar The descendants of Aaron handled everything that required direct contact with the altar. • Sprinkling the blood handed to them by the Levites (v. 11; cf. Leviticus 1:5). • Placing the fat portions and burnt offerings on the altar until nightfall (v. 14). • Standing in their appointed stations throughout the service (v. 10), ensuring the sacrifices were exactly as the Law prescribed (Numbers 18:1–7). Levites—Servant-Ministers in Support The wider Levitical clan carried out the work that enabled the priests and the people to celebrate. • Slaughtering the Passover animals and skinning them (v. 11). • Handing the blood to the priests and removing the portions for sacrifice (v. 12). • Roasting the Passover meat, boiling the additional offerings, and distributing food quickly to the congregation (v. 13). • Preparing their own Passover meals—and those of the priests, who were busy at the altar (v. 14). • Providing music (Asaph’s sons, v. 15; cf. 1 Chronicles 25:1–7) and gatekeeping so temple traffic flowed smoothly (v. 15; 1 Chronicles 9:17–27). • Obeying Josiah’s directive to station the ark and resume their temple duties (vv. 3–4; Deuteronomy 10:8). Why Their Roles Matter • The scene fulfills God’s clear assignments: “The Levites are Mine… they shall serve Aaron and the community” (Numbers 3:12; 8:19). • Priestly and Levitical harmony kept worship pure, pointing ahead to the perfect Mediator who would offer Himself once for all (Hebrews 7:26–27). • The meticulous obedience recorded in verse 16 shows that when God’s servants honor His Word in its details, He is glorified and His people are blessed (2 Chronicles 31:20–21). |
    |