Contemplative Bible Reading

2 Chronicles 30:18-20 (New International Version)

¹⁸ Although most of the many people who came from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar and Zebulun had not purified themselves, yet they ate the Passover, contrary to what was written. But Hezekiah prayed for them, saying, “May the LORD, who is good, pardon everyone ¹⁹ who sets his heart on seeking God—the LORD, the God of his fathers—even if he is not clean according to the rules of the sanctuary.” ²⁰ And the LORD heard Hezekiah and healed the people.

These verses are from a passage about a time of renewal in Jerusalem. King Hezekiah has helped to turn the people back to God. The people come to Jerusalem to celebrate. Many of the people, however, have not been able to “purify” themselves in accordance with the law.

Hezekiah has a request of God:

God, these people have set their hearts on seeking You.

Pardon them for not getting everything right.

God hears the request and “heals” the people. What a wonderful lesson about God’s grace.

There are things that God encourages us to do. There are things that God asks us to do. There are things that God requires us to do. Being properly cleansed before entering the Sanctuary in the days of Hezekiah was something God required His people to do. Yet here, God pardons the people who missed a requirement.

I have heard many hypothetical questions about the scope of God’s grace. I have had answers for only a tiny percentage of those questions. You can easily conclude that I don’t fully understand God’s grace. I can read this instance in the days of Hezekiah when God’s grace covered a clear lapse in meeting His requirements.

God, help me to further understand the magnificence of Your grace. Help me to show a measure of Your grace to others.