2 Chronicles 35:8
His officials also contributed willingly to the people and priests and Levites. Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, the administrators of the house of God, gave the priests 2,600 Passover offerings and 300 bulls.
His officials also contributed willingly
The phrase "contributed willingly" reflects a heart of generosity and devotion, which is a recurring theme in the Old Testament. The Hebrew root for "willingly" is "nadab," which implies a voluntary and joyful offering. This reflects the spirit of giving that God desires from His people, as seen in Exodus 25:2, where offerings for the Tabernacle were to be given from a willing heart. The officials' willingness underscores their commitment to the spiritual renewal under King Josiah's reforms.

to the people, the priests, and the Levites
This phrase highlights the communal aspect of worship and sacrifice in ancient Israel. The "people" refers to the general populace, while the "priests" and "Levites" were the religious leaders responsible for conducting the Passover rituals. The inclusion of all these groups signifies the unity and collective participation in the worship of Yahweh. Historically, this reflects the theocratic society of Israel, where religious and social life were deeply intertwined.

Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel
These names are significant as they represent key figures in the religious leadership of the time. Hilkiah, the high priest, played a crucial role in the discovery of the Book of the Law (2 Kings 22:8), which sparked Josiah's reforms. Zechariah and Jehiel, though less prominent, are mentioned as officers, indicating their responsibility and authority in the temple service. Their involvement underscores the importance of leadership in guiding the people back to covenant faithfulness.

the officers in charge of the house of God
This phrase indicates a structured and organized approach to temple worship. The "house of God" refers to the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites. The officers' role was to ensure that the temple services were conducted according to the Law. This reflects the importance of order and reverence in worship, as prescribed in the Mosaic Law, and highlights the temple's role as the heart of Israel's spiritual life.

gave to the priests for the Passover offerings
The act of giving "to the priests" for the "Passover offerings" emphasizes the provision necessary for the proper observance of Passover, a key festival in the Jewish calendar commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt. The priests, as mediators between God and the people, required these offerings to perform the sacrifices. This provision reflects the communal responsibility to support religious observance and the centrality of Passover in Israel's identity and faith.

2,600 Passover lambs and 300 bulls
The specific numbers of "2,600 Passover lambs and 300 bulls" indicate the scale and grandeur of the celebration. The lambs were essential for the Passover meal, symbolizing the sacrificial lamb whose blood protected the Israelites during the Exodus (Exodus 12:3-13). The bulls, often used in burnt offerings, signify atonement and dedication to God. This abundance reflects the prosperity and religious zeal during Josiah's reign, as well as the desire to honor God with the best of their resources.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hilkiah
A high priest during the reign of King Josiah, known for finding the Book of the Law in the temple.

2. Zechariah
Likely a leader or official in the temple, contributing to the Passover preparations.

3. Jehiel
Another temple officer involved in organizing the Passover offerings.

4. The House of God
Refers to the temple in Jerusalem, the central place of worship for the Israelites.

5. Passover Offerings
Sacrifices made during the Passover festival, a significant event commemorating the Israelites' deliverance from Egypt.
Teaching Points
Willingness to Serve
The officials' voluntary contributions reflect a heart of service and dedication to God. We are called to serve willingly in our communities and churches.

Leadership in Worship
Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel demonstrate the importance of leadership in facilitating worship. Leaders today should guide others in spiritual practices and celebrations.

Community Participation
The collective effort in preparing for Passover underscores the value of community involvement in worship. Believers are encouraged to actively participate in church life and communal worship.

Generosity in Giving
The substantial offerings given by the officials highlight the principle of generosity. Christians are encouraged to give generously to support the work of the church and those in need.

Remembrance and Celebration
Passover is a time of remembrance and celebration of God's deliverance. Similarly, Christians are called to remember and celebrate Christ's sacrifice through communion and other acts of worship.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the willingness of the officials to contribute to the Passover offerings challenge us in our own giving and service to the church?

2. In what ways can church leaders today emulate the example of Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel in facilitating worship and spiritual practices?

3. How can we encourage greater community participation in our church's worship and activities, similar to the collective effort seen in this passage?

4. What are some practical ways we can demonstrate generosity in our daily lives, reflecting the example of the officials' contributions?

5. How can the celebration of Passover in this passage inspire us to remember and celebrate Christ's sacrifice in our own spiritual practices?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 12
Provides the original instructions for the Passover, highlighting its importance as a perpetual ordinance for Israel.

2 Kings 23
Describes King Josiah's reforms and the celebration of the Passover, paralleling the account in 2 Chronicles.

Leviticus 23
Lists the appointed feasts of the Lord, including Passover, emphasizing its role in Israel's religious calendar.

Deuteronomy 16
Reiterates the command to observe Passover, stressing the need for community participation and remembrance.
The Great Passover of JosiahT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 35:1-19
The Service of the LordW. Clarkson 2 Chronicles 35:6-16
People
Aaron, Asaph, Charchemish, Conaniah, David, Hashabiah, Heman, Hilkiah, Jeduthun, Jehiel, Jeiel, Jeremiah, Josiah, Jozabad, Levites, Necho, Nethaneel, Samuel, Shemaiah, Solomon
Places
Carchemish, Egypt, Euphrates River, Holy Place, Jerusalem, Megiddo
Topics
Administrators, 300, 600, Captains, Cattle, Chief, Contributed, Flocks, Freely, Freewill, Freewill-offering, God's, Heads, Heave-offering, Hilkiah, Hilki'ah, Hilkijah, Hundred, Jehiel, Jehi'el, Kids, Lambs, Leaders, Levites, Lifted, Livestock, Offering, Offerings, Officers, Officials, Oxen, Passover, Passover-offerings, Priests, Princes, Rulers, Six, Temple, Thousand, Twenty-six, Voluntarily, Voluntary, Willingly, Willing-offering, Zechariah, Zechari'ah
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 35:1-19

     7245   Judah, kingdom of
     8466   reformation

2 Chronicles 35:7-9

     8436   giving, of possessions

Library
Cheer Up, My Comrades!
The first thing is to get every man into his proper place; the next thing is for every man to have a good spirit in his present place, so as to occupy it worthily. I will suppose, dear friends, that in the providence of God you are in your place, and that by the direction of God's Spirit you have also sought and found the precise form of usefulness in which you ought to exercise yourself. To-night it shall not be my business to arrange you; but assuming that it is well for you to keep where you are,
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 26: 1880

The New Temple and Its Worship
'And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo: and they builded, and finished it, according to the commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes king of Persia. 15. And this house was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the king. 16. And the children of Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Importance in Luke's History of the Story of the Birth of Christ
IT needs no proof that Luke attached the highest importance to this part of his narrative. That Jesus was indicated from the beginning as the Messiah -- though not a necessary part of his life and work, and wholly omitted by Mark and only briefly indicated in mystical language by John -- was a highly interesting and important fact in itself, and could not fail to impress the historian. The elaboration and detail of the first two chapters of the Gospel form a sufficient proof that Luke recognized
Sir William Mitchell Ramsay—Was Christ Born in Bethlehem?

Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant.
"Because thine heart was tender, and thou hast humbled thyself before the Lord, when thou heardest what I spake against this place, and against the inhabitants thereof, that they should become a desolation and a curse, and hast rent thy clothes, and wept before Me; I also have heard thee, saith the Lord. Behold therefore, I will gather thee unto thy fathers, and thou shalt be gathered into thy grave in peace; and thine eyes shall not see all the evil which I will bring upon this place."--2 Kings
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VIII

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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