Devotional Reading: 2 Chronicles 34:8, 14-27
Lesson Context: The 31 year reign of Josiah (641-609 BC) over the southern kingdom of Judah was a time of respite from the consequences of sin. This was a direct result of Judah’s godly leadership (2 Chronicles 34:2-7). In the process of purifying the land and renovating the temple, a certain priest found “a book of the law of the Lord given to Moses” (34:14). Some today believe this to have been a copy of Deuteronomy. King Josiah was shaken to his core when he heard the book read (2 Chronicles 34:19). He acted immediately receiving both bad and good news in return (34:29-33). His leadership included reinstituting the celebration of the Passover. (International Sunday School Lessons KJV 2024-2025)
l. Preparation (2 Chronicles 35:1-6):
A. Decision Made (v. 1a). la. “Moreover Josiah kept a Passover unto the Lord in Jerusalem.” The celebration of Passover in this text was not only an act of the Law of Moses, but it was also an act of covenant renewal. Passover had not been celebrated for some time-or at least not in the manner that King Josiah intended to celebrate it. (International Sunday School Lessons KJV 2024-2025)
B. Date Designed (v. 1b). lb. “And they killed the Passover on the fourteenth day of the first month.” The previous Passover of note was in the days of Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 30:1-3). The Passover had to be celebrated in the second month, but Josiah was able to keep this Passover at the appointed time in the first month (Numbers 9:1-5). (Enduring Word Bible Commentary)
C. Priests Assigned (v. 2). “And he set the priests in their charges, and encouraged them to the service of the house of the Lord.” Josiah understood that it would take as enormous amount of planning and work to properly conduct the Passover. The priests needed to be both set and encouraged for this. Note: The word charge reflects the idea of ”tasks” or “responsibilities.”
(Enduring Word Bible Commentary)
D. Levites Instructed (vv. 3-6). 3a. “And said unto the Levites that taught all Israel, which were holy unto the Lord.” All priests were Levites, but not all Levies are priests. The Levites were expected to lead the way in being personally holy unto the Lord. (International Sunday School Lessons KJV 2024-2025)
3b. “Put the holy ark in the house which Solomon the son of David King of Israel did build.” Under Josiah’s direction, Hilkiah the priest recently had found the copy of the Law of Moses in the temple. Under the apostate administration of the previous kings, Manasseh and Amon, apparently the holy ark had also been removed from the temple. Now, King Josiah directed that it be returned to its rightful place. (Enduring Word Bible Commentary)
ll. Celebration (2 Chronicles 35:16-19):
A. By an Order (v. 16). 16a. “So all the service of the Lord was prepared this same day, to keep the Passover.” Because of the remarkable planning, organization, and hard work of the king, the priests, and the Levites, this massive amount of sacrifice and festive meals were all prepared the same day. They did this not out of some strange compulsion, but in trying to be obedient to the command of Moses for the day on which to observe Passover (Numbers 9:1-5). 16b. “And to offer burnt offerings upon the altar of the Lord, according to the commandment of king Josiah.” The Old Testament lists four types of blood sacrifices: the burnt, peace, sin, and guilt offerings. The Passover animal sacrifice was a peace offering. Bulls were often used for burnt offerings, and the whole animal was burned up to God. It was a dedicatory offering where the worshipper gave God everything and expressed total commitment. (International Sunday School Lessons, KJV 2024-2025)
B. With a Feast (v. 17). “And the children of Israel that were present kept the Passover at that time, and the feast of unleavened bread seven days.” It was remarkable in the magnitude of its celebration, including even the remnant of the north who came to celebrate it in Jerusalem. “All Judah and Israel” includes people from north and south, implying a larger attendance than at Hezekiah’s Passover.