2 Chr 29: 15-24

The priests/Levites were given the charge of restoring the temple for functional use on the first day of the month during which the Passover feast was to start. They took two weeks to clean the table and the other materials in the temple and took out what was "added". They also brought back the items that Ahaz had taken out of the temple because it didn't fit "his idea of decor" (2 Chr 28:24). It took them a week to get the rubbish out and a week to get the place clean. By the time this task was completed, it was already two days into the timing of the Passover feast. As soon as he could, Hezekiah brought back the leaders of  Jerusalem into the temple. He gathered the right number of animals needed for sacrifice. He also charged the priests with the responsibility of the sacrifices of the animals. Per the commentary:

The first sacrifices for sin were on behalf of the king and his family. The next sacrifices were to clean the temple. Then there were sacrifices because of the sins of the priests. Then there were sacrifices because of the sins of the people in Judah and Israel. The king and the people put their hands on the goats. This act was to confess their sins. The animals would die so that God could take away those sins.

 

It seems that he is going about this the right way and "old school". The nation would be restored at least visually to the Lord. One however is hard to see if this is truly a change of heart, soul and mind for the people.

 

The flight home, the car pickup and the drive back was smooth. Getting back into the swing of things will be tough given the jet lag. I took a sleeping aid last night and hopefully I can function somewhat decently today. We'll see....

 

Praise for today: But the Lord has become my fortress, and my God the rock in whom I take refuge. Psalm 94: 22