2 Chronicles 29:21
They brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven male goats as a sin offering for the kingdom, for the sanctuary, and for Judah. And the king commanded the priests, the descendants of Aaron, to offer them on the altar of the LORD.
They brought seven bulls, seven rams, seven lambs, and seven male goats
The number seven in the Bible often symbolizes completeness or perfection, reflecting God's creation week. The use of seven animals for each type signifies a complete and perfect offering to God. Bulls, rams, lambs, and goats were common sacrificial animals in Israelite worship, each representing different aspects of atonement and dedication. Bulls were often used for sin offerings, rams for burnt offerings, lambs for daily sacrifices, and goats for sin offerings, particularly on the Day of Atonement.

as a sin offering for the kingdom, for the sanctuary, and for Judah
The sin offering was a crucial part of the sacrificial system, symbolizing atonement and purification from sin. Offering these sacrifices for the kingdom, the sanctuary, and Judah indicates a comprehensive act of repentance and dedication. The kingdom represents the political and social structure, the sanctuary signifies the religious and spiritual center, and Judah denotes the people and their land. This reflects a holistic approach to seeking God's forgiveness and favor.

And the king commanded the priests, the descendants of Aaron
The priests, as descendants of Aaron, were the only ones authorized to perform sacrifices, emphasizing the importance of adhering to God's established order. The king's command highlights the role of leadership in guiding the nation back to proper worship. This act of obedience to God's law underscores the importance of spiritual leadership and the need for national repentance and renewal.

to offer them on the altar of the LORD
The altar of the LORD was the designated place for sacrifices, symbolizing God's presence and the means by which the Israelites could approach Him. Offering sacrifices on the altar was an act of worship and obedience, acknowledging God's holiness and the need for atonement. This phrase connects to the broader biblical theme of sacrifice as a means of reconciliation with God, ultimately pointing to Jesus Christ as the perfect and final sacrifice for sin.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hezekiah
The king of Judah who initiated religious reforms and the cleansing of the temple.

2. Priests, the descendants of Aaron
The Levitical priests responsible for performing sacrifices and maintaining the temple rituals.

3. The Altar of the LORD
The sacred place where sacrifices were offered to God, symbolizing atonement and worship.

4. The Kingdom, the Sanctuary, and Judah
Representing the political, religious, and tribal aspects of the nation that required purification and dedication to God.

5. Sin Offering
A sacrificial ritual intended to atone for the sins of the people, restoring their relationship with God.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Repentance and Atonement
Hezekiah's actions highlight the necessity of repentance and atonement for sin. Just as the kingdom, sanctuary, and Judah required purification, so do our lives require regular spiritual cleansing.

Role of Leadership in Spiritual Renewal
Hezekiah's leadership was crucial in guiding the nation back to God. This underscores the responsibility of leaders to initiate and support spiritual renewal within their communities.

Symbolism of Sacrifice
The sin offerings symbolize the seriousness of sin and the need for a mediator. Today, Christ is our ultimate sacrifice, and we are called to live in light of His atonement.

Holistic Dedication to God
The offerings for the kingdom, sanctuary, and Judah represent a comprehensive dedication to God. Believers are encouraged to dedicate every aspect of their lives to Him.

The Role of Priests and Believers
The priests' role in offering sacrifices points to the priesthood of all believers, who are called to intercede and serve in God's kingdom.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Hezekiah's leadership in 2 Chronicles 29:21 inspire you to take initiative in your own spiritual community?

2. In what ways can the concept of a sin offering in the Old Testament deepen your understanding of Christ's sacrifice?

3. How can you apply the principle of holistic dedication to God in your daily life, as seen in the offerings for the kingdom, sanctuary, and Judah?

4. What are some practical ways you can serve as a "priest" in your community, interceding and ministering to others?

5. Reflect on a time when you experienced spiritual renewal. How can you encourage others to seek repentance and atonement in their lives?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Leviticus 4
Provides detailed instructions on sin offerings, emphasizing the need for atonement and the role of the priests.

Hebrews 9:22
Discusses the necessity of blood for the forgiveness of sins, connecting Old Testament sacrifices to the ultimate sacrifice of Christ.

Romans 12:1
Encourages believers to offer themselves as living sacrifices, drawing a parallel to the dedication and purification seen in Hezekiah's reforms.
Confession, Propitiation, ConsecrationW. Clarkson 2 Chronicles 29:20-24
The Re-Dedication of the TempleT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 29:20-36
People
Aaron, Abdi, Abijah, Ahaz, Amasai, Asaph, Azariah, David, Elizaphan, Esther, Gad, Gershonites, Heman, Hezekiah, Jeduthun, Jehalelel, Jehiel, Jeiel, Jeuel, Joah, Joel, Kish, Kohathites, Levites, Mahath, Mattaniah, Merari, Merarites, Nathan, Shemaiah, Shimei, Shimri, Uzziel, Zechariah, Zimmah
Places
Holy Place, Jerusalem, Kidron
Topics
Aaron, Altar, Ascend, Bring, Bullocks, Bulls, Cause, Commanded, Descendants, Goats, He-goats, Holy, Judah, Kingdom, Lambs, Male, Offer, Offered, Offering, Ordered, Orders, Oxen, Priests, Rams, Sanctuary, Seven, Sheep, Sin, Sin-offering, Sons
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 29:21

     4681   ram

2 Chronicles 29:3-36

     7390   Levites

2 Chronicles 29:15-31

     8271   holiness, purpose

2 Chronicles 29:20-21

     4954   morning

2 Chronicles 29:20-24

     4615   bull

2 Chronicles 29:21-24

     6648   expiation
     7444   sin offering

Library
A Godly Reformation
'Hezekiah began to reign when he was five and twenty years old, and he reigned nine and twenty years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Abijah, the daughter of Zechariah. 2. And he did that which was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that David his father had done. 3. He in the first year of his reign, in the first mouth, opened the doors of the house of the Lord, and repaired them. 4. And he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them together into the east street,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Sacrifice Renewed
'Then they went in to Hezekiah the king, and said, We have cleansed all the house of the Lord, and the altar of burnt-offering, with all the vessels thereof, and the shew-bread table, with all the vessels thereof. 19. Moreover, all the vessels, which king Ahaz in his reign did cast away in his transgression, have we prepared and sanctified, and, behold, they are before the altar of the Lord. 20. Then Hezekiah the king rose early, and gathered the rulers of the city, and went up to the house of the
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Twenty-Fourth Day. Holiness and Cleansing.
Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.'--2 Cor. vii. 1. That holiness is more than cleansing, and must be preceded by it, is taught us in more than one passage of the New Testament. 'Christ loved the Church, and gave Himself up for it, that He might sanctify it, having cleansed it by the washing of water with the word.' 'If a man cleanse himself from these, he shall be a vessel
Andrew Murray—Holy in Christ

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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