2 Chronicles 35:16 – “So at that time the entire service of the Lord was carried out for the celebration of the Passover and the offering of burnt offerings on the altar of the Lord, as King Josiah had ordered.”

Extended Explanation of the Verse

This verse summarizes the successful completion of the Passover celebration and the offering of sacrifices as organized by King Josiah. It emphasizes that everything was done according to God’s commands, following the proper procedures for worship and sacrifices. The “entire service of the Lord” refers to all the detailed instructions for worship, from the slaughtering of the Passover lambs to the burnt offerings on the altar.

Josiah’s leadership ensured that the people of Judah followed the laws given by God through Moses. The verse reflects a sense of fulfillment—everything had been done in the right way, showing a return to faithfulness in worship after a period of neglect. The people came together to celebrate the Passover, a critical event in their history, and to offer sacrifices that expressed their repentance and desire to honor God.

Historical Context

This verse is part of the account of King Josiah’s religious reforms in Judah. Josiah became king at a time when Judah had turned away from God, following idols and neglecting the worship of the Lord. After discovering the Book of the Law during temple repairs, Josiah led a national revival, tearing down idols and restoring proper worship in the temple.

The Passover celebration described in 2 Chronicles 35 was one of the key events in Josiah’s reform. The Passover had not been celebrated properly for many years, and Josiah took great care to organize the event according to the Law of Moses. The verse reflects the culmination of these efforts, showing that everything was done according to God’s instructions, restoring the nation’s relationship with Him.

Theological Implications

This verse highlights the importance of worshiping God according to His instructions. Josiah’s careful organization of the Passover and the sacrifices shows that true worship is not just about intention but also about obedience to God’s Word. Worship that pleases God is rooted in faithfulness to His commands.

The verse also emphasizes the need for spiritual renewal. The Passover celebration under Josiah was not just a ritual but a return to the covenant relationship between God and His people. It was a reminder of God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt and a call to return to Him with all their hearts. This teaches us that worship and repentance go hand in hand; true worship involves turning away from sin and seeking to honor God in every area of life.

Literary Analysis

Literarily, this verse serves as a concluding statement for the Passover celebration, summarizing the actions of the people and the success of Josiah’s reforms. The phrase “the entire service of the Lord” emphasizes the completeness of their obedience, while “as King Josiah had ordered” highlights the role of leadership in guiding the people back to proper worship.

The structure of the verse reflects order and fulfillment, showing that everything was done according to plan. The focus is on both the Passover celebration and the offering of burnt offerings, which were central to the people’s worship of God and their expression of repentance and thanksgiving.

Relevant Biblical Cross-References

• Exodus 12:24-28: This passage provides the original instructions for the Passover, which Josiah and the people of Judah were following in this celebration.
• Leviticus 1:1-9: Describes the procedure for burnt offerings, emphasizing the importance of these sacrifices in maintaining a right relationship with God.
• 2 Kings 23:21-23: A parallel account of Josiah’s Passover celebration, reinforcing the significance of this event in Judah’s religious history.
• Romans 12:1: Paul speaks of offering our bodies as living sacrifices, connecting the idea of sacrifice in worship to the Christian’s call to live a life devoted to God.

What This Verse Means for Today’s Christian

For Christians today, this verse reminds us of the importance of worshiping God in the way He has instructed. Just as Josiah and the people of Judah carefully followed God’s commands for the Passover and the sacrifices, we are called to worship God according to His Word, aligning our lives with His truth.

The verse also teaches us about the importance of spiritual renewal. The Passover was a time for the people to remember God’s saving work and to recommit themselves to Him. Similarly, we are called to remember what God has done for us through Jesus Christ and to live in obedience to His commands. True worship is not just a Sunday activity; it involves a daily commitment to following God in every area of our lives.

How This Verse Relates to a Loving God

God’s love is evident in this verse through His desire for His people to return to Him and worship Him in the way He has commanded. The Passover was a reminder of God’s great act of love in delivering the Israelites from slavery in Egypt. By restoring the celebration of the Passover, Josiah was leading the people back to a relationship with God, where they could once again experience His love and blessing.

God’s love is also seen in His patience. Even though the people had turned away from Him, God welcomed them back when they returned to Him in repentance and worship. This verse shows us that no matter how far we stray, God is always ready to receive us when we come back to Him with sincere hearts.

How This Verse Connects to Jesus Christ

This verse connects to Jesus Christ through the imagery of the Passover and the burnt offerings. The Passover lambs that were sacrificed during this celebration foreshadowed Jesus, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). Just as the Passover was a reminder of God’s deliverance of Israel from Egypt, Jesus’ death on the cross is the ultimate act of deliverance, freeing us from the power of sin and death.

The offering of burnt offerings in this verse also points to the final and perfect sacrifice of Jesus. In the Old Testament, burnt offerings were offered repeatedly to atone for sin, but Jesus’ sacrifice was once and for all (Hebrews 10:10). Through His death and resurrection, Jesus fulfilled the sacrificial system, making it possible for us to be forgiven and reconciled to God.

Questions for Reflection and Discussion

1. How does this verse challenge us to think about the way we approach worship? Are we following God’s instructions in our worship and daily lives?
2. What can we learn from King Josiah’s leadership in restoring proper worship in Judah? How can we encourage spiritual renewal in our own communities?
3. How does the celebration of the Passover in this verse point us to Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross? How should this affect our understanding of worship and grace?
4. In what ways can we offer ourselves as living sacrifices, as Paul instructs in Romans 12:1? What does it look like to live a life that is fully devoted to God?
5. How does this passage remind us of God’s love and patience, even when we have strayed from Him? How can we respond to His love with sincere worship and repentance?

This verse from 2 Chronicles 35:16 teaches us about the importance of worshiping God in obedience to His Word and the need for spiritual renewal. It also points us to the ultimate fulfillment of the Passover and the sacrificial system in Jesus Christ, whose death and resurrection have made it possible for us to experience true deliverance and a restored relationship with God. Through Christ, we are invited to live lives of worship and devotion, offering ourselves as living sacrifices in response to His love and grace.