Divine influence begins within then moves outward to the rest of our lives. King Hezekiah knew that to bring about true revival after King Ahaz wickedly led Israel away from obedience to G-d, he would have to clean house and start over – figuratively and literally. In 2 Chronicles 29 we are swept up into the first months of Hezekiah’s reign:
8 Steps to Royal Rededication (One for Every Night of Chanukah)
2 Chronicles 29:1 (NKJV) Hezekiah became king when he was twenty-five years old, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Abijah the daughter of Zechariah. 2 And he did what was right in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his father David had done.
2. Lead with Repentance
In the first year of his reign, in the first month, he opened the doors of the house of the Lord and repaired them. 4 Then he brought in the priests and the Levites, and gathered them in the East Square, 5 and said to them: “Hear me, Levites! Now sanctify yourselves, sanctify the house of the Lord God of your fathers, and carry out the rubbish from the holy place. 6 For our fathers have trespassed and done evil in the eyes of the Lord our God; they have forsaken Him, have turned their faces away from the dwelling place of the Lord, and turned their backs on Him.
3. Inspire with Re-Commitment
10 “Now it is in my heart to make a covenant with the Lord God of Israel, that His fierce wrath may turn away from us. 11 My sons, do not be negligent now, for the Lord has chosen you to stand before Him, to serve Him, and that you should minister to Him and burn incense.”
4. Sanctify from the Inside Out
15 And they gathered their brethren, sanctified themselves, and went according to the commandment of the king, at the words of the Lord, to cleanse the house of the Lord. 16 Then the priests went into the inner part of the house of the Lord to cleanse it, and brought out all the debris that they found in the temple of the Lord to the court of the house of the Lord.
5. Form a Faithful Team
18 Then they went in to King Hezekiah and said, “We have cleansed all the house of the Lord, the altar of burnt offerings with all its articles, and the table of the showbread with all its articles. 19 Moreover all the articles which King Ahaz in his reign had cast aside in his transgression we have prepared and sanctified; and there they are, before the altar of the Lord.”
7. Be a Contagious Worshiper
26 The Levites stood with the instruments of David, and the priests with the trumpets. 27 Then Hezekiah commanded them to offer the burnt offering on the altar. And when the burnt offering began, the song of the Lord also began, with the trumpets and with the instruments of David king of Israel. 28 So all the assembly worshiped, the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded; all this continued until the burnt offering was finished. 29 And when they had finished offering, the king and all who were present with him bowed and worshiped...31 Then Hezekiah answered and said, “Now that you have consecrated yourselves to the Lord, come near, and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the Lord.”
8. Rejoice in Preparation & Rededication
35 So the service of the house of the Lord was set in order. 36 Then Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced that God had prepared the people, since the events took place so suddenly.
King Hezekiah knew that to spark fresh zeal and carry out G-d's work, you first have to clean your own house (heart, mind, soul) through confession and repentance (teshuva or repentance), help your team do the same, and recommit your will to His plan, then you will have His strength and the unity to fulfill what He has commissioned you to do.
May He fan your joy and passion to do the same this holiday season! - Selah Cohen, Founder and Director of Sensory Bible Experiences and Living Arts Tabernacle