<![CDATA[junipertreeandbeyond - The Call of the Hezekiah Company]]>

<![CDATA[junipertreeandbeyond - The Call of the Hezekiah Company]]>Wed, 06 Nov 2024 22:40:53 -0800Weebly<![CDATA[Call of the Hezekiah Company Digest 7]]>Fri, 03 Jul 2015 21:42:59 GMThttp://junipertreeandbeyond.com/the-call-of-the-hezekiah-company/call-of-the-hezekiah-company-digest-7Click Here To Go To
The Call of the Hezekiah Company Digest 7
Entries 28-32 0401/2015 - 04/07/2015

A CALL TO THE OLD PATHS
Some reading this are called and are being prepared by God to be among those of the "Hezekiah" company to restore proper worship and to preach a proper gospel after the judgement which God is now bringing forth upon America and the nations. You have been born to this cause and purpose. Some of you know who you are. Some are beginning to know. Get familiar with this account of 2 Chronicles 29-32. It is speaking to you and the time is upon us.

By the commandment of the King and with the commandment of the King you have been appointed to go forth as:

...ONE WHO IS STRENGTHENED BY JEHOVAH; CALLED OF JEHOVAH, WHO WILL RESTORE PROPER WORSHIP ,YES EVEN BIRTHED/BROUGHT FORTH FOR THIS REASON; FOR JEHOVAH HAS REMEMBERED HIS PEOPLE.......AND HIS PLANS FOR THESE LAST DAYS.

1Cor 10:11 Now all these things happened to them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the world are come.

]]><![CDATA[Call of the Hezekiah Company Digest 6]]>Tue, 23 Jun 2015 21:44:12 GMThttp://junipertreeandbeyond.com/the-call-of-the-hezekiah-company/call-of-the-hezekiah-company-digest-6Click Here To Go To
The Call of the Hezekiah Company Digest 6
Entries 27 - 31 03/31/2015 - 04/06/2015

A CALL TO THE OLD PATHS
Some reading this are called and are being prepared by God to be among those of the "Hezekiah" company to restore proper worship and to preach a proper gospel after the judgement which God is now bringing forth upon America and the nations. You have been born to this cause and purpose. Some of you know who you are. Some are beginning to know. Get familiar with this account of 2 Chronicles 29-32. It is speaking to you and the time is upon us.

By the commandment of the King and with the commandment of the King you have been appointed to go forth as:

...ONE WHO IS STRENGTHENED BY JEHOVAH; CALLED OF JEHOVAH, WHO WILL RESTORE PROPER WORSHIP ,YES EVEN BIRTHED/BROUGHT FORTH FOR THIS REASON; FOR JEHOVAH HAS REMEMBERED HIS PEOPLE.......AND HIS PLANS FOR THESE LAST DAYS.

1Cor 10:11 Now all these things happened to them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the world are come.

]]><![CDATA[Call of the Hezekiah Company Digest 5]]>Sun, 14 Jun 2015 20:56:41 GMThttp://junipertreeandbeyond.com/the-call-of-the-hezekiah-company/call-of-the-hezekiah-company-digest-5Clink Link To Go To
Call of the Hezekiah Company Digest 5
Entries 21 - 26 03/24/2015 - 03/30/2015

A CALL TO THE OLD PATHS
Some reading this are called and are being prepared by God to be among those of the "Hezekiah" company to restore proper worship and to preach a proper gospel after the judgement which God is now bringing forth upon America and the nations. You have been born to this cause and purpose. Some of you know who you are. Some are beginning to know. Get familiar with this account of 2 Chronicles 29-32. It is speaking to you and the time is upon us.

By the commandment of the King and with the commandment of the King you have been appointed to go forth as:

...ONE WHO IS STRENGTHENED BY JEHOVAH; CALLED OF JEHOVAH, WHO WILL RESTORE PROPER WORSHIP ,YES EVEN BIRTHED/BROUGHT FORTH FOR THIS REASON; FOR JEHOVAH HAS REMEMBERED HIS PEOPLE.......AND HIS PLANS FOR THESE LAST DAYS.

1Cor 10:11 Now all these things happened to them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the world are come.

]]><![CDATA[The Call of the Hezekiah Company Digest 4]]>Wed, 03 Jun 2015 18:00:22 GMThttp://junipertreeandbeyond.com/the-call-of-the-hezekiah-company/the-call-of-the-hezekiah-company-digest-4Click Link To Go To:
The Call of the Hezekiah Company Digest 4
Entries 16 - 21 03/16/2015 - 03/21/2015

A CALL TO THE OLD PATHS
Some reading this are called and are being prepared by God to be among those of the "Hezekiah" company to restore proper worship and to preach a proper gospel after the judgement which God is now bringing forth upon America and the nations. You have been born to this cause and purpose. Some of you know who you are. Some are beginning to know. Get familiar with this account of 2 Chronicles 29-32. It is speaking to you and the time is upon us.

By the commandment of the King and with the commandment of the King you have been appointed to go forth as:

...ONE WHO IS STRENGTHENED BY JEHOVAH; CALLED OF JEHOVAH, WHO WILL RESTORE PROPER WORSHIP ,YES EVEN BIRTHED/BROUGHT FORTH FOR THIS REASON; FOR JEHOVAH HAS REMEMBERED HIS PEOPLE.......AND HIS PLANS FOR THESE LAST DAYS.

1Cor 10:11 Now all these things happened to them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the world are come.

]]><![CDATA[The Call of the Hezekiah Company Digest 3]]>Tue, 26 May 2015 15:21:55 GMThttp://junipertreeandbeyond.com/the-call-of-the-hezekiah-company/the-call-of-the-hezekiah-company-digest-3Click Link To Go To:
The Call of the Hezekiah Company Digest 3
Entries 11-15 03/09/2015 - 03/13/2015

A CALL TO THE OLD PATHS
Some reading this are called and are being prepared by God to be among those of the "Hezekiah" company to restore proper worship and to preach a proper gospel after the judgement which God is now bringing forth upon America and the nations. You have been born to this cause and purpose. Some of you know who you are. Some are beginning to know. Get familiar with this account of 2 Chronicles 29-32. It is speaking to you and the time is upon us.

By the commandment of the King and with the commandment of the King you have been appointed to go forth as:

...ONE WHO IS STRENGTHENED BY JEHOVAH; CALLED OF JEHOVAH, WHO WILL RESTORE PROPER WORSHIP ,YES EVEN BIRTHED/BROUGHT FORTH FOR THIS REASON; FOR JEHOVAH HAS REMEMBERED HIS PEOPLE.......AND HIS PLANS FOR THESE LAST DAYS.

1Cor 10:11 Now all these things happened to them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, on whom the ends of the world are come.

]]><![CDATA[The Call of the Hezekiah Company Digest 1 ]]>Mon, 18 May 2015 19:29:33 GMThttp://junipertreeandbeyond.com/the-call-of-the-hezekiah-company/the-call-of-the-hezekiah-company-digest-1The Call of the Hezekiah Company Digest 1
Entries 1-5 02/23/2015 - 02/27/2015

]]><![CDATA[The Call of the Hezekiah Company]]>Fri, 08 May 2015 17:33:09 GMThttp://junipertreeandbeyond.com/the-call-of-the-hezekiah-company/the-call-of-the-hezekiah-company48Entry 50

Grace For Giving

2Chr 31:4 Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD.

2Chr 31:5 And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all [things] brought they in abundantly.

2Chr 31:6 And [concerning] the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid [them] by heaps.

Eph 4:16 (KJV) From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

Eph 4:16 (YLT) from whom the whole body, being fitly joined together and united, through the supply of every joint, according to the working in the measure of each single part, the increase of the body doth make for the building up of itself in love.

This is very important, Hezekiah commanded the people to giving and the tithes to be restored. The Levites and Priests had no inheritance, could not own property. They needed the people to obey the Law of Lord and to show their appreciation for the service of the ministry. They needed both support in tangible things to live by and they needed encouragement to continue in their service. As much as I'd like to do a tithe, offering and first fruits lesson here I'll save that for a more dedicated project.

Hezekiah, as a type of Christ, inspired, by commandment, the people to support the priests as the Law prescribed. In the New Covenant, a better covenant, we have the Spirit of God in our hearts, regenerating us and inspiring us to do the will of God. The New Testament giving is a freewill offering giving.

Lets look at a few examples of what that looks like.

1) (Acts 4:31 [AKJV/PCE])
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

(Acts 4:32 [AKJV/PCE])
And the multitude of them that believed were of one heart and of one soul: neither said any [of them] that ought of the things which he possessed was his own; but they had all things common.

(Acts 4:33 [AKJV/PCE])
And with great power gave the apostles witness of the resurrection of the Lord Jesus: and great grace was upon them all.

(Acts 4:34 [AKJV/PCE])
Neither was there any among them that lacked: for as many as were possessors of lands or houses sold them, and brought the prices of the things that were sold,

(Acts 4:35 [AKJV/PCE])
And laid [them] down at the apostles’ feet: and distribution was made unto every man according as he had need.

(Acts 4:36 [AKJV/PCE])
And Joses, who by the apostles was surnamed Barnabas, (which is, being interpreted, The son of consolation,) a Levite, [and] of the country of Cyprus,

(Acts 4:37 [AKJV/PCE])
Having land, sold [it], and brought the money, and laid [it] at the apostles’ feet.

2) Notice how God has even us "Grace" for Giving. Peter speaks of the "manifold" Grace of God. This is an aspect of the supply of the Spirit of God to us. IE: Grace to Serve, Grace to Stand, Grace for Apostleship, Grace for obedience, and in this case, Grace to give; and many other such graces are given as deemed necessary by God according to service to which He has called us.

(2Cor 9:7 [Webster])
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, [so let him give]; not grudgingly, or by constraint: for God loveth a cheerful giver.

(2Cor 9:8 [Webster])
And God [is] able to make all grace abound towards you; that ye always having all sufficiency in all [things], may abound to every good work:

(2Cor 9:9 [Webster])
(As it is written, He hath dispersed; he hath given to the poor: his righteousness remaineth for ever.

(2Cor 9:10 [Webster])
Now may he that ministereth seed to the sower, both minister bread for [your] food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

(2Cor 9:11 [Webster])
Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God.

(2Cor 9:12 [Webster])
For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings to God;

(2Cor 9:13 [Webster])
While by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection to the gospel of Christ, and for [your] liberal distribution to them, and to all [men];

(2Cor 9:14 [Webster])
And by their prayer for you, who long after you, for the exceeding grace of God in you.

(2Cor 9:15 [Webster])
Thanks [be] to God for his unspeakable gift.

Devotional Reading

I pray the Lord feed you by His Spirit as you read the following passages.

Set your ears upon Him as you read.

(2Cor 8:1 [AKJV])
Moreover, brothers, we do you to wit of the grace of God bestowed on the churches of Macedonia;

(2Cor 8:2 [AKJV])
How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded to the riches of their liberality.

(2Cor 8:3 [AKJV])
For to their power, I bear record, yes, and beyond their power they were willing of themselves;

(2Cor 8:4 [AKJV])
Praying us with much entreaty that we would receive the gift, and take on us the fellowship of the ministering to the saints.

(2Cor 8:5 [AKJV])
And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and to us by the will of God.

(2Cor 8:6 [AKJV])
So that we desired Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also finish in you the same grace also.

(2Cor 8:7 [AKJV])
Therefore, as you abound in every thing, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that you abound in this grace also.

(2Cor 8:8 [AKJV])
I speak not by commandment, but by occasion of the forwardness of others, and to prove the sincerity of your love.

(2Cor 8:9 [AKJV])
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that you through his poverty might be rich.

(2Cor 8:10 [AKJV])
And herein I give my advice: for this is expedient for you, who have begun before, not only to do, but also to be forward a year ago.

(2Cor 8:11 [AKJV])
Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which you have.

(2Cor 8:12 [AKJV])
For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man has, and not according to that he has not.

(2Cor 8:13 [AKJV])
For I mean not that other men be eased, and you burdened:

(2Cor 8:14 [AKJV])
But by an equality, that now at this time your abundance may be a supply for their want, that their abundance also may be a supply for your want: that there may be equality:

(2Cor 8:15 [AKJV])
As it is written, He that had gathered much had nothing over; and he that had gathered little had no lack.

(2Cor 8:16 [AKJV])
But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.

(2Cor 8:17 [AKJV])
For indeed he accepted the exhortation; but being more forward, of his own accord he went to you.

(2Cor 8:18 [AKJV])
And we have sent with him the brother, whose praise is in the gospel throughout all the churches;

(2Cor 8:19 [AKJV])
And not that only, but who was also chosen of the churches to travel with us with this grace, which is administered by us to the glory of the same Lord, and declaration of your ready mind:

(2Cor 8:20 [AKJV])
Avoiding this, that no man should blame us in this abundance which is administered by us:

(2Cor 8:21 [AKJV])
Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

(2Cor 8:22 [AKJV])
And we have sent with them our brother, whom we have oftentimes proved diligent in many things, but now much more diligent, on the great confidence which I have in you.

(2Cor 8:23 [AKJV])
Whether any do inquire of Titus, he is my partner and fellow helper concerning you: or our brothers be inquired of, they are the messengers of the churches, and the glory of Christ.

(2Cor 8:24 [AKJV])
Why show you to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.
(2Cor 9:1 [AKJV])
For as touching the ministering to the saints, it is superfluous for me to write to you:

(2Cor 9:2 [AKJV])
For I know the forwardness of your mind, for which I boast of you to them of Macedonia, that Achaia was ready a year ago; and your zeal has provoked very many.

(2Cor 9:3 [AKJV])
Yet have I sent the brothers, lest our boasting of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, you may be ready:

(2Cor 9:4 [AKJV])
Lest haply if they of Macedonia come with me, and find you unprepared, we (that we say not, you) should be ashamed in this same confident boasting.

(2Cor 9:5 [AKJV])
Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort the brothers, that they would go before to you, and make up beforehand your bounty, whereof you had notice before, that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty, and not as of covetousness.

(2Cor 9:6 [AKJV])
But this I say, He which sows sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which sows bountifully shall reap also bountifully.

(2Cor 9:7 [AKJV])
Every man according as he purposes in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loves a cheerful giver.

(2Cor 9:8 [AKJV])
And God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:

(2Cor 9:9 [AKJV])
(As it is written, He has dispersed abroad; he has given to the poor: his righteousness remains for ever.

(2Cor 9:10 [AKJV])
Now he that ministers seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)

(2Cor 9:11 [AKJV])
Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causes through us thanksgiving to God.

(2Cor 9:12 [AKJV])
For the administration of this service not only supplies the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings to God;

(2Cor 9:13 [AKJV])
Whiles by the experiment of this ministration they glorify God for your professed subjection to the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution to them, and to all men;

(2Cor 9:14 [AKJV])
And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace of God in you.

(2Cor 9:15 [AKJV])
Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift.

]]><![CDATA[The Call of the Hezekiah Company]]>Thu, 07 May 2015 19:09:26 GMThttp://junipertreeandbeyond.com/the-call-of-the-hezekiah-company/the-call-of-the-hezekiah-company47Entry 49

Appointed By Christ for the Work of the Ministry

2Chr 31:2 And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD.

2Chr 31:3 He appointed] also the king’s portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, [to wit], for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as [it is] written in the law of the LORD.

Hezekiah seen here in type as Christ appointing ministers to their office for the work of service, for the work of the ministry. In the New Covenant, those who are Christ's are both appointed and empowered by Him to edify and build the body of Christ. This following the Passover and Feast of unleavened bread. One we have repented and been cleansed by the blood of Christ our sights are now set upon how we may serve Him as His ambassadors sent out in His name, in His authority and by His power.

(John 17:18 [AKJV/PCE])
As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.

Eph 4:11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

Eph 4:12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

Eph 4:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

Devotional Reading

I pray the Lord feed you by His Spirit as you read the following passages.

Set your ears upon Him as you read.

(Eph 4:1 [AKJV/PCE])
I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,

(Eph 4:2 [AKJV/PCE])
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;

(Eph 4:3 [AKJV/PCE])
Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.

(Eph 4:4 [AKJV/PCE])
[There is] one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

(Eph 4:5 [AKJV/PCE])
One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

(Eph 4:6 [AKJV/PCE])
One God and Father of all, who [is] above all, and through all, and in you all.

(Eph 4:7 [AKJV/PCE])
But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.

(Eph 4:8 [AKJV/PCE])
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.

(Eph 4:9 [AKJV/PCE])
(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?

(Eph 4:10 [AKJV/PCE])
He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.)

(Eph 4:11 [AKJV/PCE])
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

(Eph 4:12 [AKJV/PCE])
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:

(Eph 4:13 [AKJV/PCE])
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:

(Eph 4:14 [AKJV/PCE])
That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;

(Eph 4:15 [AKJV/PCE])
But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ:

(Eph 4:16 [AKJV/PCE])
From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.

(Eph 4:17 [AKJV/PCE])
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,

(Eph 4:18 [AKJV/PCE])
Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:

(Eph 4:19 [AKJV/PCE])
Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

(Eph 4:20 [AKJV/PCE])
But ye have not so learned Christ;

(Eph 4:21 [AKJV/PCE])
If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

(Eph 4:22 [AKJV/PCE])
That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

(Eph 4:23 [AKJV/PCE])
And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

(Eph 4:24 [AKJV/PCE])
And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

(Eph 4:25 [AKJV/PCE])
Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.

(Eph 4:26 [AKJV/PCE])
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:

(Eph 4:27 [AKJV/PCE])
Neither give place to the devil.

(Eph 4:28 [AKJV/PCE])
Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with [his] hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

(Eph 4:29 [AKJV/PCE])
Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

(Eph 4:30 [AKJV/PCE])
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

(Eph 4:31 [AKJV/PCE])
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:

(Eph 4:32 [AKJV/PCE])
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.

]]><![CDATA[The Call of the Hezekiah Company]]>Wed, 06 May 2015 21:28:53 GMThttp://junipertreeandbeyond.com/the-call-of-the-hezekiah-company/the-call-of-the-hezekiah-company46Entry 48

2Chr 31:1 Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.

They had just finished the Passover Feast. In fact they were so excited they kept it a second week! I want to note a correlation here. After Passover is the Feast of Unleavened Bread. In preparation for the Feast of Unleavened the Children of Israel had to remove all traces of leaven from their lives and dwellings. Leaven symbolizes sin in the bible. God had so moved upon these people's hearts that before they returned back to their dwellings they went through the cities and towns and destroyed the idols, alters and high places. This signifying that the work of God in their hearts was genuine and systemic. Not only did they have a good meeting. Not only did they have a good two weeks of feasting but their lives became the feast. In this account not only do we have the type of Christ and the type of life in Christ portrayed by the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened bread respectively, but we have the actual picture of the work of God in the hearts of men in that they literally went out and removed sin from their midst. This is a clear picture of the work of Christ in our hearts. We too, who have embraced the Grace of Jesus Christ through faith in Him, and His shed blood, and resurrection from the dead, will live a life of eradicating sin/leaven and "keep the Feast" with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. We do this by the power of the Spirit of God which raised Christ from the dead and makes us alive in Him. This is where our trust is and this is the message of hope and redemption we bring to those who will hear and receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

1Cor 5:7 Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us:

　
1Cor 5:8 Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened [bread] of sincerity and truth.

The first order of business was to tend to God and His righteousness, then they were able to tend to the pressing needs of their own lives. We too will find that the things of God are first and we will find rest in attending to them before we can find much peace in our own affairs.

Matt 6:31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?

　

Matt 6:32 (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things.

　

Matt 6:33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.

　

Matt 6:34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day [is] the evil thereof.

　

]]><![CDATA[THE CALL of the HEZEKIAH COMPANY]]>Tue, 05 May 2015 17:32:08 GMThttp://junipertreeandbeyond.com/the-call-of-the-hezekiah-company/the-call-of-the-hezekiah-company45Entry 47

2 Chronicles 30:21-37

Today we complete Chapter 30 of 2 Chronicles vss 21-27 with my favorite commentator, Matthew Henry.

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.

After the passover followed the feast of unleavened bread, which continued seven days. How that was observed we are here told, and every thing in this account looks pleasant and lively.

1. Abundance of sacrifices were offered to God in peace-offerings, by which they both acknowledged and implored the favour of God, and on part of which the offerers feasted with their friends during these seven days (v. 22), in token of their communion with God and the comfort they took in his favour and their reconciliation to him. To keep up this part of the service, that God's altar might be abundantly regaled with the fat and blood and his priests and people with the flesh of the peace-offerings, Hezekiah gave out of his own stock 1000 bullocks and 7000 sheep, and the princes, excited by his pious example, gave the same number of bullocks and a greater number of sheep, and all for peace-offerings, v. 24. By this God was honoured, the joy of the festival was kept up, and the strangers were encouraged to come again to Jerusalem. It was generously done of the king and the princes thus plentifully to entertain the whole congregation; but what is a great estate good for but that it puts men into a capacity of doing so much the more good? Christ feasted those that followed him. I believe neither Hezekiah nor his princes were the poorer at the year's end for this their pious liberality.

2. Many good prayers were put up to God with the peace-offerings, v. 22. They made confession to the Lord God of their fathers, in which the intent and meaning of the peace-offerings were directed and explained. When the priests sprinkled the blood and burnt the fat they made confession, so did the people when they feasted on their part. They made a religious confession of their relation to God and dependence upon him, a penitent confession of their sins and infirmities, a thankful confession of God's mercies to them, and a supplicatory confession of their wants and desires; and, in all these, they had an eye to God as the God of their fathers, a God in covenant with them.

3. There was a great deal of good preaching. The Levites (whose office it was, Deut. xxxiii. 10) taught the people the good knowledge of the Lord, read and opened the scriptures, and instructed the congregation concerning God and their duty to him; and great need there was of this, after so long a famine of the word as there had been in the last reign. Hezekiah did not himself preach, but he spoke comfortably to the Levites that did, attended their preaching, commended their diligence, and assured them of his protection and countenance. Hereby he encouraged them to study hard and take pains, and put a reputation upon them, that the people might respect and regard them the more. Princes and magistrates, by owning and encouraging faithful and laborious preachers, greatly serve the interest of God's kingdom among men.

4. They sang psalms every day (v. 21): The Levites and priests praised the Lord day by day, both with songs and musical instruments, thus expressing their own and exciting one another's joy in God and thankfulness to him. Praising God should be much of our work in our religious assemblies.

5. Having kept the seven days of the feast in this religious manner, they had so much comfort in the service that they kept other seven days, v. 23. They did not institute any new modes of worship, but repeated and continued the old. The case was extraordinary: they had been long without the ordinance; guilt had been contracted by the neglect of it; they had now got a very great congregation together, and were in a devout serious frame; they knew not when they might have such another opportunity, and therefore could not now find in their hearts to separate till they had doubled the time. Many of them were a great way from home, and had business in the country to look after, for, this being the second month, they were in the midst of their harvest; yet they were in no haste to return: the zeal of God's house made them forget their secular affairs. How unlike those who snuffed at God's service, and said, What a weariness is it! Or those who asked, When will the sabbath be gone? The servants of God should abound in his work.

6. All this they did with gladness (v. 23); they all rejoiced, and particularly the strangers, v. 25. So there was great joy in Jerusalem, v. 26. Never was the like since the dedication of the temple in Solomon's time. Note, Holy duties should be performed with holy gladness; we should be forward to them, and take pleasure in them, relish the sweetness of communion with God, and look upon it as matter of unspeakable joy and comfort that we are thus favoured and have such earnests of everlasting joy.

7. The congregation was at length dismissed with a solemn blessing, v. 27. (1.) The priests pronounced it; for it was part of their office to bless the people (Num 6:22; Num 6:23), in which they were both the people's mouth to God by way of prayer and God's mouth to the people by way of promise; for their blessing included both. In it they testified both their desire of the people's welfare and their dependence upon God and that word of his grace to which they commended them. What a comfort is it to a congregation to be sent home thus crowned! (2.) God said Amen to it. The voice of the priests, when they blessed the people, was heard in heaven and came up to the habitation of God's holiness. When they pronounced the blessing God commanded it, and perhaps gave some sensible token of the ratification of it. The prayer that comes up to heaven in a cloud of incense will come down again to this earth in showers of blessings.

Matthew Henry

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