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Post by Elizabeth on Apr 15, 2016 5:23:54 GMT -8
I am just trying to wrap my mind around what was going on logistically in this verse as Hezekiah restores service in the Temple. I want to check the commentary in my NKJV. "But the priests were too few, so that they could not skin all the burnt offerings; therefore their brethren the Levites helped them until the work was ended and until the other priests had sanctified themselves, for the Levites were more diligent in sanctifying themselves than the priests." 2 Chron. 29:34 According to my commentary, the "other" priests were those stripped of their priestly duties by Ahaz. While waiting for the other priests to sanctify themselves, the acting Priests were allowed to let the Levites perform services ordinarily off limits to them. Does that seem like an accurate take? The idea of anyone acting outside of their given roll in Temple service is a big deal so I just want to check if there is more I need to understand.
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Post by alon on Apr 15, 2016 8:27:37 GMT -8
I am just trying to wrap my mind around what was going on logistically in this verse as Hezekiah restores service in the Temple. I want to check the commentary in my NKJV. "But the priests were too few, so that they could not skin all the burnt offerings; therefore their brethren the Levites helped them until the work was ended and until the other priests had sanctified themselves, for the Levites were more diligent in sanctifying themselves than the priests." 2 Chron. 29:34 According to my commentary, the "other" priests were those stripped of their priestly duties by Ahaz. While waiting for the other priests to sanctify themselves, the acting Priests were allowed to let the Levites perform services ordinarily off limits to them. Does that seem like an accurate take? The idea of anyone acting outside of their given roll in Temple service is a big deal so I just want to check if there is more I need to understand.
The notes in my JPS Study TNK make no mention of anyone being striped of their duties. Let's read this in context:
2 Chronicles 29:31-36 (ESV) 31 Then Hezekiah said, “You have now consecrated yourselves to the Lord. Come near; bring sacrifices and thank offerings to the house of the Lord.” And the assembly brought sacrifices and thank offerings, and all who were of a willing heart brought burnt offerings. 32 The number of the burnt offerings that the assembly brought was 70 bulls, 100 rams, and 200 lambs; all these were for a burnt offering to the Lord. 33 And the consecrated offerings were 600 bulls and 3,000 sheep. 34 But the priests were too few and could not flay all the burnt offerings, so until other priests had consecrated themselves, their brothers the Levites helped them, until the work was finished—for the Levites were more upright in heart [more diligent] than the priests in consecrating themselves. 35 Besides the great number of burnt offerings, there was the fat of the peace offerings, and there were the drink offerings for the burnt offerings. Thus the service of the house of the Lord was restored. 36 And Hezekiah and all the people rejoiced because God had provided for the people, for the thing came about suddenly.
It sounds to me like the offerings were more than had been anticipated and some of the priests got caught with their pants down, as the saying goes. They were no diligent about consecration themselves. So the Levites, who had consecrated themselves just in case stepped up to the plate and helped. The study notes say only that the author treatsthe Levited preferentially. This, I think, is why.
Dan C
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Post by garrett on Apr 15, 2016 19:33:13 GMT -8
I am just trying to wrap my mind around what was going on logistically in this verse as Hezekiah restores service in the Temple. I want to check the commentary in my NKJV. "But the priests were too few, so that they could not skin all the burnt offerings; therefore their brethren the Levites helped them until the work was ended and until the other priests had sanctified themselves, for the Levites were more diligent in sanctifying themselves than the priests." 2 Chron. 29:34 According to my commentary, the "other" priests were those stripped of their priestly duties by Ahaz. While waiting for the other priests to sanctify themselves, the acting Priests were allowed to let the Levites perform services ordinarily off limits to them. Does that seem like an accurate take? The idea of anyone acting outside of their given roll in Temple service is a big deal so I just want to check if there is more I need to understand.
It sounds like your commentary could possibly be missing the mark, depending upon your source. Personally, I've read commentary from certain bibles that sounds good but is actually just wrong (??). I agree, anyone acting outside of their appointed role would make no sense at all..
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Post by Elizabeth on Apr 16, 2016 5:03:13 GMT -8
Well, I think it was under Ahaz that the priests were stripped of their duties as in 28: 22-26 we read about the unfaithfulness of Ahaz including "shutting up the doors of th house of the L-RD". (verse 24) Also, as I read on further (maybe I should wait to ask questions until I read the entire book next time ) At this point, it seems Hezekiah was good at making sensible yet godly decisions in unholy situations. I said at this point, because I haven't read any further and Kings and Chronicles are a lesson in the inconsistency of people for me. Anyway, Hezekiah did make some exceptions to draw people close to G-d given the very less-than-ideal state the nation was in. From what I understand he celebrated Passover a month after the designated time, which was an extremely comforting moment for me given our confusion over the dates. Anyway, I haven't read much about him before, and I have more to go but I think at least this passage is a good example for us of grace. We struggle with similar concerns on an individual level. How can we please G-d when our situations are so far from where they were meant to be? How can we draw near him when technically we maybe shouldn't? Basically, how do we start again? After all his necessary but sincere, imperfect but holy choices, we read that "their prayers came up to His holy dwelling place, to heaven." (30:27) Wonderful peace from this reading for me because I feel so much of what I do for G-d is sincere but deeply imperfect with a question of how do I start. I needed this for the coming week and just a beautiful "Old Testament" picture of G-d's unchanging grace and what I know and grew up knowing in Yeshua. This is the second year I am celebrating Passover. Each year G-d has brought me to a deep nostalgia and adoration for my home, upbringing, and family. That's why I used the phrase " Old Testsment". It just reminds me where I came from. Anyway, as much as we learn and need to change, I love that G-d loves our whole story. My mom gave me a set of China she got when she was married but has never been used. We are just weird that way. Anyway, I am using them this Friday for our family. I hadn't even thought of them till I started planning for Passover with my family in mind. Somehow those plates stood out to me and having the courage to actually use them, well that's a huge symbolic accomplishment in and of itself. Sorry for being sentimental, but I think that's a thing for me this time of year. Look at how far you came, but don't forget to remember and be grateful for what you had all along. I just love that G-d remembers what I forget, and knows just how and when to remind me.
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