Worship and Thank-Offerings
Joseph Irons. 2 Chronicles 29:31 Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now you have consecrated yourselves to the LORD… I. THE OCCASION REFERRED TO: it was the opening of the house of God. 1. This house was a sacred edifice, consecrated to God and typical of the body of Christ. 2. In the house they opened for God, they recognised a place of meeting between God and souls. 3. In the house that was opened for the worship of God, there was an inner court. Into this inner court we have now "access by the Spirit unto the Father." II. THE NATURE OF THEIR WORSHIP. By sacrifice. There is no acceptable worship of God without sacrifice. III. THE EXPRESSIONS OF THANKFULNESS AMONG THE PEOPLE. They were happy — 1. In the knowledge of their acceptance with God. 2. In the extension of the life of God in their souls. 3. In the revival of the worship of God among them publicly. 4. In the expression of their ardent concern to rival one another in the service of God — for they all brought their thankofferings. (Joseph Irons.) Parallel Verses KJV: Then Hezekiah answered and said, Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the LORD. And the congregation brought in sacrifices and thank offerings; and as many as were of a free heart burnt offerings. WEB: Then Hezekiah answered, "Now you have consecrated yourselves to Yahweh; come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of Yahweh." The assembly brought in sacrifices and thank offerings; and as many as were of a willing heart [brought] burnt offerings.