Chapter Summary

Preparations for the passover and its observance.

Discussion Questions for 2 Chronicles, Chapter 30

1. How is Hezekiah’s action of seeking to bring the kingdom of Israel to worship with the kingdom of Judah different from previous kings?
2. What is the significance of keeping the Passover? What did this serve to remind the people of Judah and Israel of? Do we have a corresponding reminder in the New Testament? How do you think about communion as a covenant reminder? What links do you see between communion and Passover and how are they important in your understanding of communion?
3. What does the phrase “the Lord your God is gracious and merciful” (ESV) mean? What are some ways we see this misinterpreted by culture and what can we teach others to help view it more biblically?
4. Does the actions of the first group of “laughed them to scorn and mocked them” (ESV) remind you of any other Old Testament reactions by a people? Does this surprise you that they reacted this way? Why or why not?
5. Those who did heed the call of the messengers “humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem.” This relates to 2 Chronicles 7:14 which says ““if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land” (ESV). How does this relate to their worship and what does it teach about the heart of those who are seeking God? Does this still apply to the New Testament Christian? In what ways are we to humble ourselves and seek God regularly and how do we encourage and lead others in this?
6. What other text in chapter 30 does the verse from 2 Chronicles 7:14 relate to in this chapter? What does God not turning His face from you describe and how does it give you hope?
7. In verses 18-20, the text addresses those who had not participated in ceremonial cleansing for the Feast of Unleavened bread. Hezekiah prayed on the behalf of those people. How did the Lord respond? What does this text show as the Lord’s deepest concern for those who are participating in the feast?
8. How does the Lord’s concern for the heart of the one seeking Him teach us about Him? What does it teach us about the ceremonial aspect of worship? How does this relate to Christ’s teaching about the heart?
9. What does God’s response to Hezekiah’s prayer teach us about His faithfulness? What response from the people follows God’s response to his prayer? What should our response be to God in His display of faithfulness and at all times?
10. At the conclusion of chapter 30, the gathering of people spends many days in worship and sacrifice to the Lord. The chapter concludes with the phrase “Then the priests and the Levites arose and blessed the people, and their voice was heard, and their prayer came to his holy habitation in heaven.”(ESV) How does God respond to the righteous worship of the people? Does God always hear the prayers of the righteous? How does this cause your heart to worship Him even now?

Key Words/Phrase

Passover, v. 1.

Characters

God, Hezekiah.

Strong Verse(s)

8, 9.