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Offerings for the Priests
2Hezekiah divided the priests and Levites into groups, according to their duties. Then he assigned them the responsibilities of offering sacrifices to please the Lord and sacrifices to ask his blessing. He also appointed people to serve at the temple and to sing praises at the temple gates. 3 Hezekiah provided animals from his own herds and flocks to use for the morning and evening sacrifices, as well as for the sacrifices during the Sabbath celebrations, the New Moon Festivals, and the other religious feasts required by the Law of the Lord.
4 He told the people of Jerusalem to bring the offerings that were to be given to the priests and Levites, so that they would have time to serve the Lord with their work. 5As soon as the people heard what the king wanted, they brought a tenth of everything they owned, including their best grain, wine, olive oil, honey, and other crops. 6The people from the other towns of Judah brought a tenth of their herds and flocks, as well as a tenth of anything they had dedicated to the Lord. 7The people started bringing their offerings to Jerusalem in the third month, and the last ones arrived four months later. 8When Hezekiah and his officials saw these offerings, they thanked the Lord and the people.
9Hezekiah asked the priests and Levites about the large amount of offerings. 10The high priest at the time was Azariah, a descendant of Zadok, and he replied, “Ever since the people have been bringing us their offerings, we have had more than enough food and supplies. The Lord has certainly blessed his people. Look at how much is left over!”
11So the king gave orders for storerooms to be built in the temple, and when they were completed, 12-13all the extra offerings were taken there. Hezekiah and Azariah then appointed Conaniah the Levite to be in charge of these storerooms. His brother Shimei was his assistant, and the following Levites worked with them: Jehiel, Azaziah, Nahath, Asahel, Jerimoth, Jozabad, Eliel, Ismachiah, Mahath, and Benaiah. 14Kore son of Imnah was assigned to guard the East Gate, and he was put in charge of receiving the offerings voluntarily given to God and of dividing them among the priests and Levites. 15-16He had six assistants who were responsible for seeing that all the priests in the other towns of Judah also got their share of these offerings. They were Eden, Miniamin, Jeshua, Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah.
Every priest and every Levite over 30 years old who worked daily in the temple received part of these offerings, according to their duties. 17The priests were listed in the official records by clans, and the Levites 20 years old and older were listed by their duties. 18The official records also included their wives and children, because they had also been faithful in keeping themselves clean and acceptable to serve the Lord.
19Hezekiah also appointed other men to take food and supplies to the priests and Levites whose homes were in the pastureland around the towns of Judah. But the priests had to be descendants of Aaron, and the Levites had to be listed in the official records.
20-21Everything Hezekiah did while he was king of Judah, including what he did for the temple in Jerusalem, was right and good. He was a successful king, because he obeyed the Lord God with all his heart.
Reflect
The people of Judah were living in perilous times. The northern kingdom was occupied territory and many had been uprooted and relocated far away. The south was a vassal state of Assyria, and the people there had only to look north to see how things could get gravely worse. The tribute sent to appease the Assyrian overlords depleted the national treasury. And the national mood was just as low.
But even in such a constrained context, Hezekiah initiated a revival of the national spirit through worship. The people, immobilized by fear and defeat, were drawn back into service by the call of their leader. He showed the way by contributing to the temple sacrifices from his own flocks. He reminded the people of the need and purpose of giving. Seeing his example, they eagerly joined in. Community life flourished.
Often we have not, because we’ve asked not. For whatever reason, instead of asking for help or inviting others to participate, we try to muddle on, all on our own. We end up with less because we are less. The output of one rarely exceeds the output of many. One is simply too small a number to accomplish much. But the many can be gelled into a team. Under the right leader, a well-coached and inspired team can cause many good things to multiply and cascade, enriching many.
Trying times expose true character. Hezekiah’s actions sprang from a heart committed and obedient. His story illustrates what happens when a godly leader goes first, goes all-in and calls for the best from those who are following. Through his asking and directing, the people were built up, the nation thrived and God was honored. Ask too, and all shall receive.
Respond
Heavenly Father – You are the source of all strength yet we confess we so often fail to ask. Please move us to speak. Tamp down our pride. Stoke up our courage to call others to draw near to you.
Gary Drouillard
Gary is enjoying a post-career afterlife in South Surrey, BC. His greatest professional achievement was pioneering a 10-year mission to make it possible for Canadians to use their cellphones around the world. Today, as a feeble but fascinated student of intellectual history and early church formation, his days are filled with reading, viewing online courses, thinking, and occasionally writing along with involvement with various volunteer work. His life’s journey has been made possible and pleasurable only by the accompaniment of his lovely, long-suffering wife, Pamela, and his two “too good for me” daughters who are now embellished with amazing American husbands.