Day 32 – Letters

2 Chronicles 30:1 Hezekiah sent to everyone in Israel and Judah, and wrote letters to Ephraim and Manasseh, that they should come to the house of JEHOVAH at Jerusalem, to keep the Passover to JEHOVAH Elohiym of Israel. 2 For the king and his leaders and the assembly in Jerusalem had agreed to keep the Passover in the second month. 3 For they could not keep it at the regular time, because enough priests had not consecrated themselves, nor had the people gathered at Jerusalem. 4 The matter pleased the king and the assembly.

 5 Thus, they resolved to make a proclamation throughout Israel, from Beersheba to Dan, that they should come to keep the Passover to JEHOVAH Elohiym of Israel at Jerusalem, since they had not done it for a long time in the prescribed manner.

 6 Then the runners went throughout Israel and Judah with the letters from the king and his leaders and spoke according to the command of the king: “Children of Israel, return to JEHOVAH Elohiym of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel; then He will return to the remnant of you who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria. 7 Do not be like your fathers and your brethren, who trespassed against JEHOVAH Elohiym of their fathers, so that He gave them up to desolation, as you see. 8 Now do not be stiff-necked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to JEHOVAH; and enter His sanctuary, which He has sanctified forever, and serve JEHOVAH your Elohiym, that the fierceness of His wrath may turn away from you. 9 For if you return to JEHOVAH, your brethren and your children will be treated with compassion by those who lead them captive, so that they may come back to this land; for JEHOVAH your Elohiym is gracious and merciful and will not turn His face from you if you return to Him.”

 10 Thus, the runners passed from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh, as far as Zebulun; but they laughed at them and mocked them. 11 Nevertheless, some from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem. 12 Also the hand of Elohiym was on Judah to give them singleness of heart to obey the command of the king and the leaders, at the word of JEHOVAH.

 13 Now many people, a great assembly, gathered at Jerusalem to keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread in the second month. 14 They arose and took away the altars in Jerusalem, and they took away the incense altars and cast them into the Brook Kidron.

 15 Then they slaughtered the Passover lambs on the fourteenth day of the second month. The priests and the Levites were ashamed, and sanctified themselves, and brought the burnt offerings to the house of JEHOVAH. 16 They stood in their place according to their custom, according to the Law of Moses the man of Elohiym; the priests sprinkled the blood received from the hand of the Levites. 17 For there were many in the assembly who had not sanctified themselves; therefore, the Levites had charge of the slaughter of the Passover lambs for everyone who was unclean, to sanctify them to JEHOVAH.

 18 For a multitude of the people, many from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun, had not cleansed themselves, yet they ate the Passover contrary to what was written. However, Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the good JEHOVAH provide atonement for everyone 19 who prepares his heart to seek Elohiym, JEHOVAH Elohiym of his fathers, though he is not cleansed according to the purification of the sanctuary.”

 20 JEHOVAH listened to Hezekiah and healed the people.

 21 Then the children of Israel who were present at Jerusalem kept the Feast of Unleavened Bread seven days with great gladness; and the Levites and the priests praised JEHOVAH day by day, singing to JEHOVAH, accompanied by loud instruments.

 22 Hezekiah gave encouragement to the Levites who taught the good knowledge of JEHOVAH; and they ate throughout the feast seven days, offering peace offerings and making confession to JEHOVAH Elohiym of their fathers.

 23 Then the whole assembly agreed to keep the feast for another seven days, and they kept it another seven days with gladness. 24 For Hezekiah king of Judah gave to the assembly a thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep, and the leaders gave to the assembly a thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep; and a great number of priests sanctified themselves.

 25 The whole assembly of Judah rejoiced, also the priests and Levites, the assembly that came from Israel, the sojourners who came from the land of Israel, and those who dwelt in Judah. 26 Thus, there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem.

 27 Then the priests, the Levites, arose and blessed the people, and their voice was heard; and their prayer came up to His holy dwelling place, to heaven.

God’s names:

JEHOVAH – Self-existent, Eternal

Elohiym – Supreme God

Yeshuwa – Jesus

God’s character:

Forgiving

How often do you write or receive letters? How did you feel about the letter you received? How important was the letter you received? What importance do you put on letters you write? In an age when letter writing is almost extinct, many have never written a letter or received one. The thought is alien. It’s much easier and faster to send a text or e-mail.

Hezekiah sent letters throughout Judah, Jerusalem, and Israel, inviting everyone to celebrate the Passover in Jerusalem in the second month instead of the first because not enough priests were sanctified for the celebration. He received a mixed response from Israel. The people of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Zebulun mocked his request. However, not everyone mocked him. Some came from Asher, Manasseh, and Zebulun to Jerusalem to celebrate the Passover.

When King Hezekiah learned they had not cleansed themselves, he prayed for JEHOVAH to forgive them, and He did. The celebration lasted an additional eight days.

Every day Yeshuwa invites you to celebrate His resurrection with joy and gladness. He sends His invitation by way of letters you can read in His Word. He does not require you to do more than accept the invitation to become His child and read and study His Word so you will know the importance of His sacrifice for you.

When was the last time you opened Yeshuwa’s invitation? When you did, did you receive it with joy and gladness? Or did you mock Him and reject Him as your Savior and Lord.

Many people who call themselves Christians have never opened a Bible, spent time with Him in worship. They want to call themselves Christians without the benefits of being one. You might have encountered them sitting in the pew beside you in church. They go to church for appearance’s sake, not because they want to be there. They smile, shake your hand, and leave as quickly as they come. They don’t want Yeshuwa to disrupt their lifestyle.

Then there are the genuine Christians who can’t wait to open their Bibles, walk through the doors of their churches, and attend Bible studies so they can know Yeshuwa’s heart for them. They celebrate His death and resurrection every day. Their smiles are genuine, their handshakes and hugs sincere, and they are a joy to be around.

The next time you receive an invitation from Yeshuwa, open it. Read it and come celebrate with other believers with joy and gladness.

Let’s pray: Father, let me always celebrate You with joy and gladness for sending Your Son to be my Savior and Lord. Let my praise come before You as I worship You with my whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Copyright © 19 February 2025 by Valerie Routhieaux