What is the meaning of 2 Chronicles 35:6? Slaughter the Passover lambs • In Josiah’s revival, the Levites are told, “Slaughter the Passover lambs,” because the nation had neglected this command since the days of the divided kingdom (2 Chronicles 35:1; cf. 2 Kings 23:21–22). • The task highlights personal responsibility: each lamb had to be killed at twilight on the fourteenth day of the first month, exactly as prescribed in Exodus 12:6 and Leviticus 23:5. • Blood was sprinkled on the altar (2 Chronicles 35:11), pointing ahead to the shedding of a greater, once-for-all sacrifice (John 1:29; 1 Peter 1:18-19). • By starting with the lambs, Josiah anchors the celebration in God’s redemptive act—Israel’s deliverance from Egypt—reminding the people that salvation always begins with God’s initiative. Consecrate yourselves • Before handling holy things, the Levites must be ceremonially clean (2 Chronicles 29:15-17). Holiness is never optional for those who serve (Leviticus 11:44-45; Hebrews 12:14). • Consecration involved washing, abstaining from defilement, and obeying every detail of the Law (Numbers 8:5-22). • The practical takeaway: purity precedes ministry. We cannot lead others in worship while ignoring our own walk with the Lord (Psalm 24:3-4; 1 Timothy 4:16). • Josiah’s call echoes earlier reforms under Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 30:3, 17), showing that genuine revival requires renewed dedication each generation. Make preparations for your fellow countrymen • The Levites are urged to serve the people, not merely perform rituals. They must distribute portions, guide families, and ensure everyone can “carry out the word of the LORD given by Moses” (Deuteronomy 16:1-8). • Preparation included arranging the sacrificial animals (2 Chronicles 35:7-9), setting up stations for roasting and distribution (v. 13), and explaining the meaning of the feast (Exodus 13:8, 14). • Their servant-leadership models how believers today help one another obey Scripture (Galatians 5:13; Hebrews 10:24-25). • Obedience is corporate: the whole community must align with God’s Word, just as Moses commanded at Sinai (Deuteronomy 31:11-13). summary 2 Chronicles 35:6 captures Josiah’s threefold charge: offer the required sacrifice, pursue personal holiness, and actively help others keep God’s commands. The verse underscores that true worship is rooted in the Lamb’s blood, flows from consecrated hearts, and overflows in service that leads the entire covenant family into faithful obedience. |
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