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by Wilma Anders

Does your spiritual life need some revitalization? Do you need a ―Revival?

Well, there's bad news and there's good news:

Bad News -- There's no such word as ―Revival in the Bible!  I've searched for the word in KJV, NIV, NASB, ASV, RSV, and several other versions…and the word does not exist in the Bible! (Look for yourself!)

Good News - The concept of Revival exists, but it's called ―RETURN or shuv . Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and the great King Hezekiah all tell God's people to "Return to the LORD."

King Hezekiah's reign in Judah was, in my opinion, the greatest ―revival in Israel and Judah's history.  I'd like to walk through the events of his reign with you and show how celebrating Passover was a significant part of the process of Returning to the LORD.  Hezekiah's story impacted my life in a major way, and I pray that God will use His Word to impact you.

The story of King Hezekiah is recounted in 2 Kings 18-20 and in 2 Chronicles 22-32.  Let's focus on the narrative in 2 Chronicles.

Hezekiah, a descendant of King David, became King of Judah when he was 25 years old.  He was the son of King Ahaz, an evil king who worshipped Baal and even offered two of his sons in fire to Molech. Let's look at the process of "Returning to the LORD" in Hezekiah's reign (but please pay special attention to #2):

#1 – Re-established Temple Worship -  Hezekiah ―opened the doors of the Temple which his evil father Ahaz had shut (28:24).  Part of the process was sanctifying the priests and the Temple (the way God commanded Moses) so that they would reinstitute worshiping God the way He asked to be worshiped.  At the very least, it required Eight Days of sanctification…. but in this case, it took sixteen days.

#2 – Restored Passover -   Hezekiah sent ―You are Invited to Celebrate Passover messages to ALL of Israel, the Ten Northern Tribes as well as the Two Southern Tribes, from ―Dan to Beersheba (northern-most tip of Israel to southern-most tip of Judah).  Here is what his invitation said (quoted in 2 Chronicles 30:6-9):

"Children of Israel, return to the LORD, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel, so that He may return to the remnant that has escaped from the clutches of the kings of Assyria. And do not be like your fathers or like your brothers, who acted treacherously against the LORD, the God of their fathers, and He made them desolation, as you see. Now, do not be stiff-necked like your fathers; give a hand to the LORD and come to His Sanctuary which He consecrated forever, and worship the LORD your God, so that His burning wrath returns from you.  For when you return to the LORD, your brothers and your sons will find compassion before their captors and shall return to this land, for the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and He will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him."

How do you think the people reacted to this invitation? How would YOU react?  The Scriptures say that the runners passed from city to city throughout the northern tribes…but the people laughed at them and mocked them!  Historian Flavius Josephus says: ―They laughed the ambassadors to scorn and mocked them as fools ….insomuch that at length they caught them and slew them (Works of Josephus, 9.13.265).  Josephus also recounts that the faithful, the ―obedient, those who feared God, ―came running to Jerusalem, to Hezekiah, that they might worship God.

This seal impression from c. 700 BC contains the text, "Belonging to Hezekiah [son of] Ahaz, King of Judah."  Seal of King Hezekiah excavated near Jerusalem.

Therefore, Hezekiah's invitation to "Come Return to the LORD….Come Celebrate Passover" received mixed reactions: Those who did not honor the LORD and His commandments --Scorn, ridicule, and murder.  But those who Loved and Obeyed the LORD—came running!  [This passage has been of great encouragement to me as many have ridiculed our family for wanting to celebrate Passover!]

The Passover Celebration that year was so incredible, Scripture records that there had not been such great joy in Jerusalem since the time of Solomon (30:26).  The obedient remnant had such a jubilant Passover that  they decided to celebrate the Feast of Unleavened Bread (the seven day feast which begins with Passover) for another seven days…totaling fourteen days!  During those two weeks, God's people went through Jerusalem and destroyed the idols (30:14).

The result?  Hezekiah had prayed: ―May the LORD pardon everyone who sets his heart on seeking God (30:18-19). And God answered! ―The LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people.

Please note something very important:  This celebration did not include Israelites ONLY….there was also Non-Jews there (30:25). Perhaps you're saying: ―I'm not Jewish. Why would I want to celebrate Passover?  Learn from these Gentiles who participated and were blessed!

One further note…I believe this was God's last invitation to the Ten Northern Tribes of Israel.  Shortly after this, their cities were destroyed, and the Israelites were either killed or taken captive and scattered to the ends of the earth.  They will not return until the Last Days.

After Re-establishing the Temple and Worship, and after Celebrating Passover, the "revival" spread….

#3 – Purified the Land -  As God's faithful ones returned to their homes, as they went throughout the country, they smashed the sacred stones and Asherah poles (31:1)--they destroyed the idolatry throughout the land!   First, revival had to start in the hearts of people to obey God…specifically in celebrating Passover….then revival spread throughout the land!

#4 – Reinstituted Tithing –  The hearts of the people were so on fire for the LORD, that they tithed abundantly, so much so that Hezekiah had to build ―storehouses to contain the abundance of offerings (31:11).

#5 – Instituted Torah Study –  The passage only says ―so they could devote themselves to the Torah of the LORD (31:4).  But according to Jewish history, Hezekiah instituted mandatory Torah study, so that all the people would learn to walk in the ways of the LORD.

I LOVE King Hezekiah!

I can't wait to meet him!  His story changed my life!  I, too, have traveled this path, in my own 21st Century American way.  I took Hezekiah's invitation personally: ―Come celebrate Passover… Perhaps if we return to the LORD, He will return to us.  And it has transformed my life!  Studying about and celebrating the Feasts of the LORD has revolutionized my life!

King Hezekiah promised US: ―the LORD your God is gracious and merciful, and He will not turn His face away from you if you return to Him."

To learn more about Passover, read a related article ― Discovering Passover at http://www.torahconnections.org/index.php/feast-of-the-lord.

FEEDBACK – Please send your comments or questions to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

To learn more about HOW to celebrate Passover, here are some great resources:

RECOMMENDED RESOURCES

"The Messiah: Prophecy Fulfilled" DVD – an excellent movie.  One year after the resurrection, a follower of Yeshua returns to his family and reveals how He fulfilled the prophecies in Passover.

"Messiah in the Passover" – downloadable presentation by Mitch Glasser (Chosen People Ministries) at http://chosenpeople.com/main/videos/Messiah_in_the_Passover.html

Holidays or Holy Days...Does it Matter Which Days We Observe?  Free downloadable book at http://www.gnmagazine.org/booklets/HH/HH.pdf A Family Guide to Biblical Holidays by Sampson and Pierce – excellent book on how to celebrate with your family; many children activities.

Feasts of the Lord – excellent book by Marvin Rosenthal and Kevin Howard.