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Bible Reading: 2
Chronicles 30:21-27
21 And
the children of Israel that were present at Jerusalem kept the
feast of unleavened bread seven days with great gladness: and
the Levites and the priests praised the LORD day by day, singing
with loud instruments unto the LORD. 22 And Hezekiah
spake comfortably unto all the Levites that taught the good
knowledge of the LORD: and they did eat throughout the feast
seven days, offering peace offerings, and making confession to
the LORD God of their fathers. 23 And the whole assembly
took counsel to keep other seven days: and they kept other seven
days with gladness. 24 For Hezekiah king of Judah did
give to the congregation a thousand bullocks and seven thousand
sheep; and the princes gave to the congregation a thousand
bullocks and ten thousand sheep: and a great number of priests
sanctified themselves. 25 And all the congregation of
Judah, with the priests and the Levites, and all the
congregation that came out of Israel, and the strangers that
came out of the land of Israel, and that dwelt in Judah,
rejoiced. 26 So 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. 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, even unto
heaven.
Many prayers were
put up to God with the peace-offerings. In these Israel looked to
God as the God of their fathers, a God in covenant with them.
There was also abundance of good preaching. The Levites read and
explained the Scriptures. Faith cometh by hearing, and true
religion preaching has abounded.
They sang psalms every day: praising God should be much of our
work in religious assemblies. Having kept the seven days of the
feast in this religious manner, they had so much comfort in it,
that they kept other seven days also.
This they did with gladness. Holy duties should be done with holy
gladness. And when sinners humble themselves before the Lord, they
may expect gladness in his ordinances. Those who taste this
happiness will not soon grow weary of it, but will be glad to
prolong their enjoyment.
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