Iyyar 22 – The whole assembly agreed to keep the feast another seven days

May 29, 2024

Iyyar 22, 5784; from sunset May 29, 2024, to sunset May 30, 2024

This is an image of a bulla, a clay impression, that was used to seal documents. The bulla reads “Belonging to Hezekiah, (son of) Ahaz, king of Judah.” It was discovered near the Temple Mount in 2015.

Last week we remembered King Hezekiah and those loyal to the LORD – those who had kept the Passover in the second month because they were not fully sanctified to be able to keep it in the first month. They invited all Israel to join them and some came from Asher, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun. They were so filled with joy, they decided to continue for another week.

Then the whole assembly agreed to keep the feast another seven days, and they kept it another seven days with gladness. For Hezekiah king of Judah gave to the assembly a thousand bulls and seven thousand sheep, and the leaders gave to the assembly a thousand bulls and ten thousand sheep; and a great number of priests sanctified themselves.

The whole assembly of Judah rejoiced, also the priests and Levites, all the assembly that came from Israel, the sojourners who came from the land of Israel, and those who dwelt in Judah.

So there was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the time of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel, there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem.

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, to heaven. – 2 Chronicles 30:23-31:1 (NKJ)

Bravo to those who came from Asher, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun. They humbled themselves before the LORD in Jerusalem. Generation after generation of their forefathers practiced rebellious worship at Dan and Bethel – but they were given a heart to return to the LORD and abide by His statutes. Good news for our generation who are facing a similar situation…it’s not too late to repent and return to the LORD – with gladness!

To read all of our posts about Hezekiah, please click on the image above.