"Be Not Now Negligent"

by R. DARKE, Vancouver | Category: General | Apr 1964

This plea from one of Judah's faithful kings was made at a time when the nation needed to rally itself, and set in order things that were lacking in worship and service.

What a picture of despair and depression is presented to us in 2 Chronicles 29! The doors of the house of the LORD were closed and in a state of disrepair; the light of the lampstand was out, and the altar of incense unused; the holy place was defiled, and the people discouraged. The hand of God in judgement was plainly manifest everywhere (verse 8).

It was at this time of neglect and distress that king Hezekiah came to the throne, and it is recorded to his credit that "he did that which was right in the eyes of the LORD". He encouraged the people to do the same, and he set them a good example by his words and deeds. He did not permit himself to be discouraged by the neglect he found, but he undertook with a will the work of restoration among God's people and in the divine dwelling place. Hezekiah did not lose any time in setting to work, and in the first month of his reign the doors of the temple were repaired and opened. The priests and Levites were then brought together and sanctified, and it was to them that Hezekiah said, "My sons, be not now negligent: for the LORD hath chosen you to stand before Him, to minister ... and burn incense" (verse 11). To these men was given the responsibility to "cleanse the temple" of its "filthiness" (verse 5), but firstly ,they must sanctify themselves, and then sanctify the house of the LORD (verse 5). For sixteen days they worked zealously, removing what was undesirable in God's house, in restoring the vessels, the table of shewbread to the holy place, and the altar of burnt offering to the court. Then did Hezekiah offer a sin offering "for the kingdom and for the sanctuary and for Judah" (verse 21), and later the burnt offering and the sin offering for all Israel (verse 24).

What was the outcome of this great revival, this great work of restoration? The Levites sang praises with gladness, and bowed their heads and worshipped (verse 80). At one stage there were not enough priests to handle all the victims that were brought for the burnt offerings! (verse 34). What joy and prosperity prevailed amongst God's people when "the service of the house of the LORD was set in order" ! (verse 35). "And Hezekiah rejoiced, and all the people, because of that which God had prepared for the people" (verse 36).

Is there a lesson in all this for God's holy nation today? In sovereign grace He has cleansed and clothed us to serve Him as a holy and a royal priesthood. Are we rising to our responsibilities? It is so easy for carelessness to creep into our lives, and it is very solemn indeed if God's things are neglected by us. It is our privilege, as it was that of the Levites, to "stand before Him, to minister unto Him" (verse 11). What an experience for each one of us to enjoy! Chosen to stand and to minister! What a sad loss to us and to God, if we are not bringing to Him our appreciation of His Son, and what He has done for us! He looks for our offering of praise, the fruit of our lips which make confession to His Name.

We must take time to commune with and to meditate upon our Lord Jesus. We must do as Hezekiah did. He put away wrong things that were a hindrance to the flow of fellowship between God and His people (verse 5); he made confession for sin (verse 6); and he entered into a covenant with the LORD (verse 10). It was as the result of this that there was rejoicing, and singing, and praising, and worshipping, and offerings in abundance, so that the LORD found pleasure in His people once more.

There is a great blessing in store for us, as God's people, if we are prepared to give Him the pre-eminence and honour that are His due, and serve Him from the heart. Let us put away slothfulness, and carelessness, and neglect in our spiritual lives. May these words of good king Hezekiah find a sincere echo in our hearts,

"Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the LORD, come near and bring sacrifices and thank offerings into the house of the LORD" (2 Chronicles 29.31).

R. DARKE, Vancouver | Apr 1964
General