2 Chronicles 29 Devotional

Atonement Before the Song

“Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced at what God had prepared for the people, because everything had been accomplished so quickly.”2 Chronicles 29:36 (BSB)

In the first month of his reign, Hezekiah opens the doors of the LORD's house that his father had shut, and repairs them (29:3). He gathers the priests and Levites and tells them honestly what has happened. Their fathers turned their backs on God, put out the lamps, and stopped the offerings, and that is why disaster has fallen (29:6-9).

Then come the sin offerings. Bulls, rams, lambs, and goats are offered for the kingdom, the sanctuary, and Judah, and the king orders that atonement be made for all Israel (29:21-24). When the burnt offering begins, the song of the LORD begins with it, and the whole assembly worships until the offering is complete (29:27-28). Joy follows atonement. The chapter ends with Hezekiah and the people rejoicing over what God had prepared for them (29:36). John the Baptist pointed to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). You can come to worship today with gratitude for an offering already made.

To think about: What would change in your worship if you started each time by remembering the sacrifice God has already provided?