EGW Writings2 Chronicles 30

The Review and Herald

February 12, 1914

RH February 12, 1914, par. 7

“So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah, and according to the commandment of the king, saying, Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and he will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria. And be not ye like your fathers, and like your brethren, which trespassed against the Lord God of their fathers, who therefore gave them up to desolation, as ye see. Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the Lord, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified forever: and serve the Lord your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you. For if ye turn again unto the Lord, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away his face from you, if ye return unto him.” 2 Chronicles 30:1-9.

RH February 12, 1914, par. 8

“From city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun,” the couriers sent out by Hezekiah carried the message. Israel should have seen in this invitation an appeal to repent and turn to God. But nearly all treated the royal messengers with indifference or with contempt. “They laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.” 2 Chronicles 30:10. But there were a few who gladly responded. “Divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem, ... to keep the feast of unleavened bread.”

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 5 (1887-1888)

Lt 25, 1888

5LtMs, Lt 25, 1888, par. 11

At the commencement of the Sabbath, A. T. Jones was with us. We had a refreshing from the presence of the Lord. Our hearts were melted into tenderness, and the subduing Spirit of the Lord was in our midst. Sabbath, I spoke to the people, and I had much liberty in speaking from 2 Chronicles 30. I was deeply moved as I addressed the people in regard to the position of God’s people at the present time. The dear Saviour seemed to be very near and exceedingly precious. I asked those who wished to give themselves wholly to the Lord to come forward, and we had quite an army of children, [and] those of all ages. Many of them spoke with much feeling. Oh, the Lord is good! My soul was just hungry for the blessing of the Lord, and He did bless me. I can say I know that “my Redeemer liveth.” [Job 19:25.]

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 23—The Assyrian Captivity

PK 288.1

“So the posts went with the letters from the king and his princes throughout all Israel and Judah,” with the pressing invitation, “Ye children of Israel, turn again unto the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, and He will return to the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria.... Be ye not stiff-necked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the Lord, and enter into His sanctuary, which He hath sanctified forever: and serve the Lord your God, that the fierceness of His wrath may turn away from you. For if ye turn again unto the Lord, your brethren and your children shall find compassion before them that lead them captive, so that they shall come again into this land: for the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away His face from you; if ye return unto Him.” 2 Chronicles 30:5-9.

PK 291.1

“From city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun,” the couriers sent out by Hezekiah carried the message. Israel should have recognized in this invitation an appeal to repent and turn to God. But the remnant of the ten tribes still dwelling within the territory of the once-flourishing northern kingdom treated the royal messengers from Judah with indifference and even with contempt. “They laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.” There were a few, however, who gladly responded. “Divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem, ... to keep the feast of unleavened bread.” Verses 10-13.

From Splendor to Shadow

Judgments Stayed for a Season

SS 154.6

“So couriers went throughout all Israel and Judah,” with the pressing invitation, “O people of Israel, return to the Lord, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, that He may turn again to the remnant of you who have escaped from the hand of the kings of Assyria ... . Do not now be stiffnecked as your fathers were, but yield yourselves to the Lord, and come to His sanctuary ... . For if you return to the Lord, your brethren and your children will find compassion with their captors, and return to this land. For the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, and will not turn away His face from you, if you return to Him.” 2 Chronicles 30:6-9, RSV.

SS 155.1

From city to city the couriers sent by Hezekiah carried the message. But the remnant of the ten tribes still dwelling within the once-flourishing northern kingdom treated the royal messengers with indifference, even with contempt. “They laughed them to scorn, and mocked them.” A few, however, “of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem ... to keep the feast of unleavened bread.” Verses 10, 11-13.

With God at Dawn

Be Not Stiff-necked, but Yield, May 12

WGD 134.1

Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but yield yourselves unto the Lord, and enter into His sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever; and serve the Lord your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you. 2 Chronicles 30:8.

To Be Like Jesus

Prayer Closely Related to Reformation, January 19

BLJ 26.4

For many years the Passover had not been observed as a national festival. The division of the kingdom after the close of Solomon’s reign had made this seem impracticable. But the terrible judgments befalling the ten tribes were awakening in the hearts of some a desire for better things; and the stirring messages of the prophets were having their effect.... The impenitent turned lightly aside; nevertheless some, eager to seek God for a clearer knowledge of His will, “humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem” (2 Chronicles 30:10, 11).—Prophets and Kings, 335-337.

From Splendor to Shadow

Celebrating the Passover

SS 177.3

In his zeal to make the temple services a real blessing, Hezekiah determined to gather the Israelites together for the Passover feast. For many years the Passover had not been observed as a national festival. The division of the kingdom after Solomon’s reign had made this seem impracticable. But the stirring messages of the prophets were having their effect. By royal couriers the invitation to the Passover at Jerusalem was heralded “from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun.” The bearers of the invitation were usually repulsed; nevertheless some “humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem.” 2 Chronicles 30:10, 11.

SS 177.4

In Judah the response was very general, for God gave “them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes”—a command in accord with the will of God as revealed through His prophets. Verse 12.

SS 178.1

The desecrated streets of the city were cleared of the idolatrous shrines placed there during the reign of Ahaz. The Passover was observed, and the week was spent by the people in offering peace offerings and in learning what God would have them do. Those who had prepared their hearts to seek God found pardon. A great gladness possessed the multitude. “The Levites and the priests praised the Lord day by day, singing with loud instruments.” All were united in their desire to praise Him. Verse 21.

SS 178.2

The seven days allotted to the feast passed all too quickly, and the worshipers determined to spend another seven days in learning more fully the way of the Lord. The teaching priests continued their instruction from the book of the law; daily the people assembled to offer praise and thanksgiving; and as the great meeting drew to a close, it was evident that God had wrought marvelously in the conversion of backsliding Judah. “There was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem.” Verse 26.

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 28—Hezekiah

PK 335.4

For many years the Passover had not been observed as a national festival. The division of the kingdom after the close of Solomon’s reign had made this seem impracticable. But the terrible judgments befalling the ten tribes were awakening in the hearts of some a desire for better things; and the stirring messages of the prophets were having their effect. By royal couriers the invitation to the Passover at Jerusalem was heralded far and wide, “from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun.” The bearers of the gracious invitation were usually repulsed. The impenitent turned lightly aside; nevertheless some, eager to seek God for a clearer knowledge of His will, “humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem.” 2 Chronicles 30:10, 11.

PK 337.1

In the land of Judah the response was very general; for upon them was “the hand of God,” “to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes”—a command in accord with the will of God as revealed through His prophets. Verse 12.

PK 337.2

The occasion was one of the greatest profit to the multitudes assembled. The desecrated streets of the city were cleared of the idolatrous shrines placed there during the reign of Ahaz. On the appointed day the Passover was observed, and the week was spent by the people in offering peace offerings and in learning what God would have them do. Daily the Levites “taught the good knowledge of the Lord;” and those who had prepared their hearts to seek God, found pardon. A great gladness took possession of the worshiping multitude; “the Levites and the priests praised the Lord day by day, singing with loud instruments;” all were united in their desire to praise Him who had proved so gracious and merciful. Verses 21, 22.

PK 337.3

The seven days usually allotted to the Passover feast passed all too quickly, and the worshipers determined to spend another seven days in learning more fully the way of the Lord. The teaching priests continued their work of instruction from the book of the law; daily the people assembled at the temple to offer their tribute of praise and thanksgiving; and as the great meeting drew to a close, it was evident that God had wrought marvelously in the conversion of backsliding Judah and in stemming the tide of idolatry which threatened to sweep all before it. The solemn warnings of the prophets had not been uttered in vain. “There was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem.” Verse 26.

PK 338.1

The time had come for the return of the worshipers to their homes. “The priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to His holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.” Verse 27. God had accepted those who with broken hearts had confessed their sins and with resolute purpose had turned to Him for forgiveness and help.

The Review and Herald

April 29, 1915

RH April 29, 1915, par. 2

For many years the Passover had not been observed as a national festival. The division of the kingdom after the close of Solomon’s reign had made this seem impracticable. But the terrible judgments befalling the ten tribes were awakening in the hearts of some a desire for better things, and the stirring messages of the prophets were having their effect. The invitation to the Passover at Jerusalem was heralded far and wide, “from city to city through the country of Ephraim and Manasseh even unto Zebulun,” and the royal couriers found some who were ready to respond. The bearers of the gracious invitation were usually repulsed. The impenitent “laughed them to scorn, and mocked them. Nevertheless divers of Asher and Manasseh and of Zebulun,” eager to seek God for a clearer knowledge of his will, “humbled themselves, and came to Jerusalem.” 2 Chronicles 30:10, 11.

RH April 29, 1915, par. 3

In the land of Judah the response was very general; for upon them was “the hand of God,” “to give them one heart to do the commandment of the king and of the princes” (verse 12),—a command in accord with the will of God as revealed through his prophets.

RH April 29, 1915, par. 4

The occasion was one of the greatest profit to the multitudes assembled. The desecrated streets of the city were cleared of the idolatrous shrines placed there during the reign of Ahab. On the appointed day the Passover was observed; and the week was spent by the people in offering peace offerings, and in learning what God would have them do. Daily the Levites “taught the good knowledge of the Lord;” and those who had prepared their hearts to seek God, found pardon. A great gladness took possession of the worshiping multitude; “the Levites and the priests praised the Lord day by day, singing with loud instruments” (verses 22, 21); all were united in their desire to praise him who had proved so gracious and merciful.

RH April 29, 1915, par. 5

The seven days usually allotted to the Passover feast passed all too quickly, and the worshipers determined to spend another seven days in learning more fully the way of the Lord. The teaching priests continued their work of instruction from the book of the law; daily the people assembled at the temple to offer their tribute of praise and thanksgiving; and as the great meeting drew to a close, it was evident that God had wrought marvelously in the conversion of backsliding Judah, and in stemming the tide of idolatry which threatened to sweep all before it. The solemn warnings of the prophets had not been uttered in vain. “There was great joy in Jerusalem: for since the time of Solomon the son of David king of Israel there was not the like in Jerusalem.” Verse 26.

RH April 29, 1915, par. 6

The time had come for the return of the worshipers to their homes. “The priests the Levites arose and blessed the people: and their voice was heard, and their prayer came up to his holy dwelling place, even unto heaven.” Verse 27. God had accepted those who with broken hearts had confessed their sins, and with resolute purpose had turned to him for forgiveness and help.

Radiant Religion

Judah Found Joy Again in the Passover Feast, October 8

RRe 283.2

And the whole assembly took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept other seven days with gladness. 2 Chronicles 30:21, 23.