Context No. 3806 of 4322 · 2 Chronicles

2 Chronicles 31:1-6: in context

1Now when all this was finished, all Israel who were present went out to the cities of Judah and broke the pillars in pieces, cut down the Asherah poles, and broke down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, also in Ephraim and Manasseh, until they had destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities. 2Hezekiah appointed the divisions of the priests and the Levites after their divisions, every man according to his service, both the priests and the Levites, for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the LORD’s camp. 3He also appointed the king’s portion of his possessions for the burnt offerings: for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the Sabbaths, for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the LORD’s law. 4Moreover he commanded the people who lived in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to the LORD’s law. 5As soon as the commandment went out, the children of Israel gave in abundance the first fruits of grain, new wine, oil, honey, and of all the increase of the field; and they brought in the tithe of all things abundantly. 6The children of Israel and Judah, who lived in the cities of Judah, also brought in the tithe of cattle and sheep, and the tithe of dedicated things which were consecrated to the LORD their God, and laid them in heaps.

After Hezekiah leads the people to tear down the idols and restore the worship of the LORD, revival bears practical fruit. The king reorganizes the priests and Levites for their service, and then commands the people to provide for them, so that they can devote themselves to God's law.

And the people respond with overflowing generosity: as soon as the command went out, they brought the firstfruits of their grain, wine, oil, and honey, and the tithe of all their produce, in such abundance that it was gathered in heaps. This is what a renewed heart looks like in action. Their return to God was not merely a matter of tearing down the old idols; it showed itself in glad, generous giving, in providing eagerly for the worship and work of God. Real revival moves from the heart to the hands and the storehouse. When God's people are truly renewed in their devotion, it shows in open-handed generosity toward his work, giving not grudgingly but in abundance, in heaps.

When my heart is renewed toward God, does it show in glad, generous giving toward his work, or does my devotion stop short of my hands and my resources?

Sources

2 Chronicles 31:5: "The children of Israel gave in abundance the first fruits of grain, new wine, oil, honey... and they brought in the tithe of all things abundantly."
2 Chronicles 31:4: "He commanded the people... to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might give themselves to the LORD's law."
2 Chronicles 31:1: "All Israel... broke the pillars in pieces, cut down the Asherah poles, and broke down the high places and the altars."