2 Chronicles 29:25-36

Sacrifice and Song

2 Chronicles 29:25

Among the usual sacrifices following the cleansing, the burned-offering occupied a conspicuous place, as expressive of sincere and entire devotion to God. Notice that as the burned-offering began the song began also. Self-sacrifice and the surrender of heart and life to God always lead to joy. First cleansing, then forgiveness and the blotting out of sin, and finally reconsecration to God-such are the inevitable steps that conduct the soul from the depths of depression into the joy of God's salvation. It is the self-absorbed and self-contained life which is miserable. Notice how contagious the joy of God is. From Hezekiah it spread to his people and led to the uplift of the entire nation. It is interesting to learn that this happy outbreak of religious fervor sprang from a divine preparation, which had for long been working below the surface of the national life.