2 Chronicles 35:10–19

Read the passage.

The Chronicler is careful to point out how closely the priests and Levites followed the regulations for the Passover from the Law of Moses. Each step of the process was followed, from the places the men stood, to the way the lambs were prepared for sacrifice, to the distribution of the meat to the people who brought the offerings. The blood was thrown against the altar and the fat parts were given to the Lord in fire. The skins were flayed and the meat was roasted. “As it is written in the Book of Moses” (v. 12), “according to the rule” (v. 13), “according to the command of David” (v. 15). Everything that was done had a process or was because instructions were followed.

We can also see how very strong the sense of community was, especially among the priests and Levites. They worked together to quickly prepare and offer the sacrifices of all the people who came to celebrate the Passover. The labor was organized so that the distribution of the offerings could be done swiftly and fairly. Additionally, the priests and Levites served each other after the lay people had been served. (v. 14) The singers and gatekeepers were also able to stay at their stations because the other Levites prepared the Passover for them as well.

In the conclusion to this section, we learn something very interesting. “No Passover like it had been kept in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet.” (v. 18) The last Passover celebration we read about was in Chapter 30, during Hezekiah’s reign. Then, the Chronicler said it hadn’t been done like this since the reign of Solomon. Now, this Passover is unlike any since the time before all the kings of Israel and Judah. While there were certainly some kings of Judah who did not keep the Passover, this verse isn’t saying none of them did. Instead, this seems to refer to the number of people who gathered or the number of animals offered as sacrifices. This quantifiable number likely implies the intangible quality of the celebration and joy the people felt as they remembered the Lord’s protection, promises, and provisions throughout their history. This Passover was unique in its magnitude and it would have felt extra special to the faithful after Josiah’s reforms had been implemented.

Renew our awe and gratitude for You every day.