The Passover was delayed so the spiritual leaders had time to prepare. Some people who lived a great distance from Jerusalem humbled themselves and came to Jerusalem to seek and celebrate God. God saw their humility and Hezekiah took the high road. Instead of holding them to a legalistic set of rules, he honored their heart: "Most of those who came from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun had not purified themselves. But King Hezekiah prayed for them, and they were allowed to eat the Passover meal anyway, even though this was contrary to the requirements of the Law. For Hezekiah said, 'May the Lord, who is good, pardon those who decide to follow the Lord, the God of their ancestors, even though they are not properly cleansed for the ceremony.'" (2 Chronicles 30:18-19 NLT)
I believe that their generous gifts in chapter 31 are, in part, the result of the grace they were shown. How can we help by love a God who so loves us?
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