Psalm 16:2

My Shepherd met me in His green pastures, foraging in 2 Chronicles. He laid me down in chapters 30-32, and the Mind of His Spirit captured the thoughts of the spirit of my mind in two separate places: 31:6 and 32:31:

2 Chronicles 31:6 And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps.

2 Chronicles 32:31 Howbeit in the business of the ambassadors of the princes of Babylon, who sent unto him to enquire of the wonder that was done in the land, God left him, to try him, that he might know all that was in his heart.

The Hezekiah revival is among the greatest in the history of Judah, following the kingdom’s division in 975 BC. Interesting! This revival happened in 726 BC, or 249 years after the kingdom was divided. The British Empire experienced its major division when the Colonies separated from Britain in 1776. We celebrated the 249th anniversary of our Independence from Britain yesterday, July 4, 2025. Our “revival” parallels the Hezekiah revival in political and spiritual ways. 

Hezekiah’s invitation to celebrate Passover in Jerusalem with Judah was mocked by the rulers of Ephraim, Manasseh, and Zebulun (2 Chronicles 30:10). But many individuals in these tribes (Ephraim, Manasseh, and Zebulon), along with believers from Asher, and Issachar (2 Chronicles 30:11, 18), accepted the invitation and attended the Passover in Jerusalem. Of course, Judah and Benjamin were present, as were many of the Levites.*

As we walked along the still waters, I reflected on the political and spiritual reforms this revival inspired. The people returned to the GOD of their fathers, and the reforms reflected a turn into the “old paths, where is the good way” (Jeremiah 6:16; see 2 Chronicles 31:1). Then “Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities” (2 Chronicles 31:1). The land enjoyed quiet and prosperity for about 15-20 years. Hezekiah’s son, Manasseh (2 Kings 20:21), completely reversed the revival and brought Judah to spiritual decadence and political ruin. During this time, Samaria had become so corrupt that it was said of them, bizarrely, “They feared the LORD, and served their own gods” (2 Kings 17:33). The revival had a minimal spiritual effect, and the political benefits were soon lost.  God set both Judah and Israel under the tyranny of wicked rulers.

In the valley, I thought about the verses that initially drew me into this story: the revival involved a restoration of biblical support for congregational worship (2 Chronicles 31:6; see 1 Corinthians 9:13-14). It ended when God let Hezekiah go solo through a temptation to try him and expose what was in his heart (2 Chronicles 32:31). The King did “everything right” while God was right there with him. But the minute God let him walk on his own, he stumbled all over himself. He failed because of his vanity and pride, which dealt a death blow to the Hezekiah revival. God extended one more call to Judah through the good king, Josiah. But upon his passing, the divine judgment fell upon Judah. God gave the kingdom to the Gentiles. 

We are to learn from these events (1 Corinthians 10:11). Whatever blessing we are receiving right now is transient. The spiritual reforms must go deeper than superficial outward matters, and we cannot simply “add” God to our iniquitous manners and think it sufficient. We must deny ourselves, take up our cross daily, and follow Him (Luke 9:23). So I did!

At the table, we commiserated for a while, and when it was time to move into the Harvest, He anointed my head with His oil and filled my cup with His grace. Goodness and mercy came up behind as we walked together into the fields.

Praying for revival! 🙏

Going live as soon as I can set up the livestream.

https://rumble.com/v6vrwwl-shepherds-pasture.html

[*Gad, Nephtali, Reuben, Simeon, and Dan are not named. Samaria fell to Assyria about six years prior (732 BC) (2 Kings 15:29). This event would have had the most serious impact on the tribes along Israel’s northern border: Gad, Dan, and Naphtali. It’s possible these tribes experienced the most significant amount of dispersal and devastation. These tribes were also separated from Judah by distance and geography, more so than the others, and probably had the least amount of interaction with Judah. Some suggest Hezekiah’s invitation did not reach these remote tribes. I believe that GOD was in this effort and would have ensured the invitation reached its intended audience, “All Israel.” These tribes rejected the invitation. If they didn’t receive it, it’s because God removed them from the invitation list.]