2 Chronicles 31:10
and Azariah, the chief priest of the household of Zadok, answered him, "Since the people began to bring their contributions into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat and there is plenty left over, because the LORD has blessed His people; this great abundance is what is left over."
Azariah the chief priest
Azariah, whose name means "Yahweh has helped," serves as a significant figure in the religious leadership of Judah. As the chief priest, he is a descendant of Zadok, a lineage that traces back to the time of King David and Solomon, emphasizing the continuity and faithfulness of the priestly line. This highlights the importance of godly leadership in maintaining the spiritual health of the nation.

from the house of Zadok
The house of Zadok represents a priestly line known for its faithfulness and dedication to God. Zadok was a priest during the reign of King David and Solomon, and his descendants were promised a perpetual priesthood (1 Kings 2:35). This lineage underscores the theme of covenant faithfulness and the blessings that come from adhering to God's commands.

answered
The act of answering implies a response to a query or situation. In this context, Azariah's response is to King Hezekiah's inquiry about the abundance of offerings. His answer reflects transparency and accountability in the stewardship of God's provisions, a principle that remains vital in spiritual leadership today.

Since the people began to bring the contributions
This phrase marks a turning point in the spiritual revival under King Hezekiah. The people's willingness to bring contributions signifies a collective return to covenant faithfulness and obedience to God's laws regarding tithes and offerings. It reflects a heart transformation among the people, leading to tangible blessings.

to the house of the LORD
The house of the LORD, or the temple, is the central place of worship and sacrifice in Jerusalem. It symbolizes God's presence among His people and serves as a focal point for communal worship and devotion. The restoration of proper worship practices in the temple is a key aspect of Hezekiah's reforms.

we have had enough to eat and plenty to spare
This statement highlights God's provision and abundance. The phrase "enough to eat and plenty to spare" indicates that God's blessings exceed the immediate needs, allowing for generosity and further distribution. It serves as a testament to God's faithfulness in providing for His people when they honor Him with their resources.

because the LORD has blessed His people
The acknowledgment that the abundance is due to the LORD's blessing emphasizes the divine source of all provision. It reinforces the biblical principle that obedience to God results in His favor and blessings. This blessing is not merely material but also spiritual, as it reflects God's approval and presence among His people.

and this great abundance is left over
The mention of "great abundance" being left over signifies the overflowing nature of God's blessings. It serves as a reminder of God's generosity and the principle that when His people give faithfully, He provides more than enough. This abundance allows for further acts of charity and support within the community, fostering a spirit of unity and mutual care.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Azariah the Chief Priest
A leading religious figure from the house of Zadok, responsible for overseeing the temple activities and ensuring the proper worship of God.

2. House of Zadok
A priestly lineage known for their faithfulness and service in the temple, tracing back to Zadok, a high priest during the reign of King David and Solomon.

3. Contributions to the House of the LORD
Refers to the tithes and offerings brought by the people of Judah to support the temple and its services.

4. The People of Judah
The community of Israelites who responded to King Hezekiah's reforms by bringing their tithes and offerings to the temple.

5. The Blessing of the LORD
The divine favor and provision experienced by the people as a result of their obedience and generosity.
Teaching Points
The Principle of Generosity
Generosity towards God and His work results in blessings and abundance. The people of Judah experienced God's provision as they faithfully brought their contributions.

Faithfulness in Stewardship
The faithfulness of the people in giving their tithes reflects a heart committed to God. Our stewardship of resources is a reflection of our trust in God's provision.

The Role of Leadership
Azariah's leadership and the house of Zadok's faithfulness were crucial in guiding the people towards obedience. Godly leadership can inspire and direct communities towards righteousness.

God's Abundant Provision
God's blessings often exceed our expectations when we align our actions with His will. The abundance left over signifies God's ability to provide more than enough.

Community and Worship
The collective action of the community in supporting the temple highlights the importance of communal worship and shared responsibility in the faith journey.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the example of Azariah and the house of Zadok inspire us to lead with integrity and faithfulness in our communities today?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of generosity in our own lives, and what are some practical steps we can take to support God's work?

3. Reflect on a time when you experienced God's provision in abundance. How did this experience impact your faith and trust in Him?

4. How can we encourage and support our church leaders to ensure they have the resources needed to lead effectively?

5. What are some ways we can foster a sense of community and shared responsibility in our local church or faith group?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Malachi 3:10
This verse speaks about bringing the whole tithe into the storehouse and the resulting blessings from God, similar to the abundance experienced in 2 Chronicles 31:10.

Luke 6:38
Jesus teaches about giving and receiving, emphasizing that generosity leads to abundance, echoing the principle seen in the abundance of the temple contributions.

Proverbs 3:9-10
These verses encourage honoring the Lord with wealth and promise that doing so will lead to plenty, paralleling the experience of the people in 2 Chronicles 31:10.
The Service of the Consecrated Life, and of the SubstanceW. Clarkson 2 Chronicles 31:2-10
A Nation's Liberality; Or, a Lecture on TithesT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 31:5-19
People
Aaron, Amariah, Asahel, Azariah, Azaziah, Benaiah, Benjamin, Conaniah, Cononiah, Eliel, Hezekiah, Imnah, Ismachiah, Israelites, Jehiel, Jerimoth, Jeshua, Jimnah, Jozabad, Kore, Levites, Mahath, Manasseh, Miniamin, Nahath, Shecaniah, Shechaniah, Shemaiah, Shimei, Zadok
Places
Jerusalem
Topics
Abundance, Abundantly, Amount, Azariah, Azari'ah, Beginning, Blessed, Blessing, Bring, Bringing, Chief, Contributions, Eat, Eaten, Family, Heave-offering, Heave-offerings, Leave, Oblations, Offerings, Plenty, Priest, Quantity, Satisfied, Spare, Speaketh, Spoke, Store, Temple, Zadok
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 31:10

     4035   abundance
     7330   chief priests
     8436   giving, of possessions

2 Chronicles 31:1-19

     8466   reformation

2 Chronicles 31:5-10

     8252   faithfulness, relationships

2 Chronicles 31:9-10

     8151   revival, corporate

2 Chronicles 31:10-12

     5558   storing

Library
Reform
Now there are three effects which ought always to follow our solemn assembly upon the Lord's day, especially when we gather in such a number as the present, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving. We should go home and first break our false gods; next, cut down the very groves in which we have been wont to delight, and after that break the altars which though dedicated to the God of Israel, are not according to Scripture, and therefore ought to be broken down, albeit, they be even dedicated to the true
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 5: 1859

Last Journey and Death, 1858 --Concluding Remarks.
We are now arrived at the closing scene of John Yeardley's labors. The impression which he had received, during his visit to Turkey in 1853, of the opening for the work of the Gospel in the Eastern countries, had never been obliterated; it had rather grown deeper with time, although his ability to accomplish such an undertaking had proportionately diminished. This consideration, however, could not satisfy his awakened sympathies, and, according to his apprehension, no other course remained for him
John Yeardley—Memoir and Diary of John Yeardley, Minister of the Gospel

Tithing
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in Mine house, and prove Me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it" (Mal. 3:10). Down deep in the heart of every Christian there is undoubtedly the conviction that he ought to tithe. There is an uneasy feeling that this is a duty which has been neglected, or, if you prefer it, a privilege that has not been
Arthur W. Pink—Tithing

The Whole Heart
LET me give the principal passages in which the words "the whole heart," "all the heart," are used. A careful study of them will show how wholehearted love and service is what God has always asked, because He can, in the very nature of things, ask nothing less. The prayerful and believing acceptance of the words will waken the assurance that such wholehearted love and service is exactly the blessing the New Covenant was meant to make possible. That assurance will prepare us for turning to the Omnipotence
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants

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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