Chú giải chương
2 Chronicles Chương 31
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We have here a further account of that blessed reformation of which Hezekiah was a glorious instrument, and of the happy advances he made in it. I. All the remnants of idolatry were destroyed and abolished, 2Ch 31:1. II. The priests and Levites were set to work again, every man in his place, 2Ch 31:2. III. Care was taken for their maintenance. 1. The royal bounty to the clergy, and for the support of the temple service, was duly paid, 2Ch 31:3. 2. Orders were given for the raising of the people's quota, 2Ch 31:4. 3. The people, thereupon, brought in their dues abundantly, 2Ch 31:5-10. 4. Commissioners were appointed for the due distribution of what was brought in, 2Ch 31:11-19. Lastly, Here is the general praise of Hezekiah's sincerity in all his undertakings, 2Ch 31:20,21.
1-10
Hezekiah Destroys Idolatry (726 BC)
日本語
ヒゼキヤが偶像礼拝を廃止する (紀元前726年)
¹ これらの事がすべて終わると、そこにいた全イスラエルはユダの町々に出て行き、石の柱を打ち砕き、アシェラの木像を切り倒し、ユダとベニヤミンの全土から、またエフライムとマナセにおいて、高き所と祭壇を打ち壊し、これらをことごとく完全に滅ぼし尽くした。そしてイスラエルの子らはみな、おのおの自分の所有地、自分の町々に帰った。
² ヒゼキヤは祭司たちとレビ人たちの組を、おのおのの奉仕に従って、おのおのの組に任命した。すなわち祭司とレビ人に燔祭と和解の供え物をささげさせ、主の天幕の門で仕え、感謝し、賛美させた。
³ また彼はその財産のうちから、朝と夕の燔祭、安息日と新月と定めの祭りのための燔祭のために、王の分を 指定した 。主の律法にしるされている通りに。
⁴ さらに彼はエルサレムに住む民に命じて、祭司たちとレビ人たちにその分け前を与えるようにした。彼らが主の律法に励むことができるように。
⁵ 命令が広まるとすぐに、イスラエルの子らは穀物、ぶどう酒、油、蜜、畑のすべての産物の初穂を豊かに持って来た。またすべてのものの十分の一を豊かに持って来た。
⁶ ユダの町々に住むイスラエルとユダの子らも、牛と羊の十分の一、およびその神、主に聖別された聖なるものの十分の一を持って来て、積み重ねた。
⁷ 彼らは第三の月に積み重ねを始め、第七の月にこれを終えた。
⁸ ヒゼキヤとつかさたちが来てその積み重ねを見て、主をほめたたえ、その民イスラエルを祝福した。
⁹ そこでヒゼキヤはその積み重ねについて祭司たちとレビ人たちに尋ねた。
¹⁰ ザドクの家の大祭司アザリヤが彼に答えて言った。「民が主の宮にささげ物を持ち込み始めてから、私たちは十分に食べて、なお豊かに残っています。主がその民を祝福してくださったからです。これほど多く残されているのです。」
ここには過越の祭の後にされたことの記録がある。その前の準備の儀式に欠けていたものは、それよりも良いもの、すなわち祭の後にその恵みを生活のうちに適切に実践することによって補われた。主日の礼拝や聖餐の神聖な儀式が終わったからといって、わざが終わったと考えてはならない。いや、真の務めの最も困難な部分はそのときから始まる。それは儀式を通して心に刻まれた感化を、聖なる生き方のすべての面において実践として現すことである。ここでもそうであった。これらの事がすべて終わったとき、なおすべきことがあった。
I. 彼らは偶像礼拝のすべての記念物を滅ぼすことに熱心に取り組んだ（2Ch 31:1）。王はこの種のことを自分のできる限り行った（2Ki 18:4）が、民は王の役人たちの目を逃れた世俗的な遺物を発見できたので、自ら出て行ってなしうることをした（2Ch 31:1）。これは過越の祭の直後になされた。注意せよ。神との交わりの慰めは、私たちのうちに罪に対し、神に忌み嫌われるすべてのものに対する聖なる熱心と憤りを燃え立たせるべきである。もし私たちの心が儀式において内に燃えたなら、その燃える霊が腐敗の不純物を焼き尽くすであろう。 今やわたしは偶像と何の関わりがあろうか 。 偶像とアシェラの木像、高き所と祭壇 を打ち壊す彼らの熱心は、次のように現れた。1. 彼らがこれをユダとベニヤミンの町々においてだけでなく、エフライムとマナセの町々において行ったこと。ある者はユダの王たちの保護と管轄の下に入った町々を指すと考える。またある者は、イスラエルの王ホセアがこれを禁じなかったので、彼らの熱心が彼の王国の多くの地域に及んで偶像礼拝を打ち壊したと見なす。少なくともエフライムとマナセから過越の祭を守るために来た者々は（多くの者が来た。2Ch 30:18）、自分たちの偶像とアシェラの木像をすべて滅ぼし、影響力が及ぶ、あるいは許しを得られる限りの多くの人々にも同じことをした。私たちは自分自身を改革するだけでなく、他者を改革するためにできるすべてのことをするべきである。2. 彼らはすべてを滅ぼした。 彼らは完全にすべてを滅ぼし尽くした 。偶像やその礼拝者への好意や愛情によって一つも残さなかった。どんなに古くても、どんなに高価でも、どんなに美しくても、どんなに有力な後ろ盾があっても、すべて滅ぼさなければならなかった。注意せよ。真心から罪に立ち向かう者は、すべての罪に立ち向かう。3. 彼らは長く家を空けていたにもかかわらず、これが終わるまでは家に帰ろうとしなかった。国を裏切り、滅びに導く偶像やアシェラの木像が立っている限り、自分たちの町のうちで安心している、あるいは安全であると思えなかった。おそらく預言者イザヤが少し前に、人々が自ら造った偶像を捨てる日について語ったとき、これを指したのであろう。これほど驚くべき祝福された変化であった（Isa 2:20、31:6,7）。
II. ヒゼキヤはダビデが定め、最近乱されていた祭司とレビ人の組を復活させ、回復した（2Ch 31:2）。宮の奉仕は再び本来の方法に戻り、古い水路を流れた。各人は自分のわざ、自分の場所、自分の時、そして自分から期待されているものを知らされた。注意せよ。良い秩序は良いわざの推進に大いに寄与する。祭司たちは 燔祭と平和の供え物 のために組に任命され、レビ人たちは組によって一部は祭司に仕え、一部は 感謝し賛美する ために任命された。1Ch 23:4,5を見よ。そしてこれらすべてが 主の天幕の門 または 庭 で行われた。宮がここで天幕と呼ばれるのは、宮の特権が移動可能なものであり、この宮がまもなく移されることになるからである。
III. 彼は祭壇の維持と支援のために、自分の王冠の収入の一部を充てた。民が日常の供え物、安息日、新月、祭りのための費用を負担することになっていたが、彼らにその負担をかけるよりは、むしろ自分の財産、あるいは国庫から、それらすべての供え物の費用を出した（2Ch 31:3）。これは気前の良い信心のわざであり、神に忠実なしもべとして神の栄光を顧み、民に優しい父として彼らの安んじることを配慮した。君主や偉大な人々は、国の宗教の支持と奨励のために与えたものが最もよく用いられ、最良の利益のために投資されたものと考えるべきである。
IV. 彼はまずエルサレムの住民に命じを出した（2Ch 31:4）。宮に最も近く、そうであることによって救われ、得をする者たちが他に良い模範を示すべきであるからである。しかしこれは後に ユダの町々 にまで拡大され、あるいは少なくともそこで受け入れられた。すなわち、律法に従って祭司とレビ人に当然の分け前を注意深く納めるようにとのことであった。これは長くおろそかにされていた。これが務め自体をおろそかにさせたのである（恥ずべき生活費は恥ずべき務めを作る）。しかしヒゼキヤは自ら気前よく与えたので、立派に臣下に宮の奉仕に対する義務を果たすよう求めることができた。彼が祭司とレビ人にその分け前を回復し、返すにあたって目指した目的に注意せよ。それは彼らが 主の律法に励むことができるように 、すなわちこれを研究し、これに従って務めを果たすことができるようにすることであった。ここで次に注意せよ。1. 奉仕者は維持されるだけでなく、 励まされる のがふさわしい。わざをさせるために保たれるだけでなく、喜んでわざができるよう快適に暮らす十分なものを持つべきである。2. しかし彼らは、怠惰や誇りや贅沢においてではなく、 主の律法のうちに 、すなわち自らこれを守り、他者にその良い知識を教えることのうちに養われるべきである。
V. そこで民は非常に喜んで十分の一を持って来た。彼らに必要だったのはただ呼びかけられることだけであった。それゆえ、 命令が広まるとすぐに 、初穂とすべての聖なるものが正当に持って来られた（2Ch 31:5,6）。祭司たちは自分たちと家族のために必要なものを使い、余りは 積み重ねて 置かれた（2Ch 31:6）。収穫の間中、彼らは地の実りが集められるにつれてこの積み重ねを増やした。すべてのうちから神にその分け前がささげられるべきであったからである。十分の一の割合については慣例が主張されても、十分の一をささげないことについては慣例は主張できない。収穫が終わると彼らは積み重ねを終えた（2Ch 31:7）。ここで次を見る。1. その積み重ねについてヒゼキヤに報告されたこと。彼は 祭司とレビ人に それについて尋ねた。なぜささげられたものを使わずにこのように蓄えるのかと（2Ch 31:9）。これに対する答えは、自分たちと家族の生活維持と冬の蓄えのために必要なものはすべて使い、これは余りに余ったものであるということであった（2Ch 31:10）。彼らは貪欲からこれらの積み重ねをしたのではなく、神の律法が、もしそれが集められ、持って来られるなら、彼らのためにどれほど豊かな備えを設けておられたかを示すためであった。また、良心から自分の財産のうちから神のものをささげる者は、自分のすべての持ち物に祝福をもたらすことを示すためであった。 彼らがささげ物を持ち込み始めてから、主はその民を祝福してくださった 。これについてはHag 2:19を見よ。神は「十分の一を倉に持ち込むなら、あなた方がそうでなければわたしを信頼しないとしても、わたしを試みてみよ。あなた方の上に祝福が注がれないかを」と言われる（Mal 3:10,11、Eze 44:30）。2. 王とつかさたちがこれを認めて感謝を表したこと（2Ch 31:8）。彼らは、持って来るべきものをお与えになった神の良い摂理と、持って来る心をお与えになった神の良い恵みに感謝した。そして彼らは 民を祝福した 。すなわち今の良く行っていることを称え、以前の怠慢を責めなかった。注目すべきは、彼らが最近の祝福された過越という神の定めの甘みを味わった後に、このように進んで宮の奉仕を支えたことである。定着した奉仕の益を経験する者は、その費用を惜しまないであろう。
bản gốc tiếng anh
Hezekiah Destroys Idolatry (726 BC)
¹ Now when all this was finished, all Israel that were present went out to the cities of Judah, and brake the images in pieces, and cut down the groves, and threw down the high places and the altars out of all Judah and Benjamin, in Ephraim also and Manasseh, until they had utterly destroyed them all. Then all the children of Israel returned, every man to his possession, into their own cities.
² And Hezekiah appointed the courses of the priests and the Levites after their courses, every man according to his service, the priests and Levites for burnt offerings and for peace offerings, to minister, and to give thanks, and to praise in the gates of the tents of the LORD.
³ He appointed also the king's portion of his substance for the burnt offerings, to wit, for the morning and evening burnt offerings, and the burnt offerings for the sabbaths, and for the new moons, and for the set feasts, as it is written in the law of the LORD.
⁴ Moreover he commanded the people that dwelt in Jerusalem to give the portion of the priests and the Levites, that they might be encouraged in the law of the LORD.
⁵ And as soon as the commandment came abroad, the children of Israel brought in abundance the firstfruits of corn, wine, and oil, and honey, and of all the increase of the field; and the tithe of all things brought they in abundantly.
⁶ And concerning the children of Israel and Judah, that dwelt in the cities of Judah, they also brought in the tithe of oxen and sheep, and the tithe of holy things which were consecrated unto the LORD their God, and laid them by heaps.
⁷ In the third month they began to lay the foundation of the heaps, and finished them in the seventh month.
⁸ And when Hezekiah and the princes came and saw the heaps, they blessed the LORD, and his people Israel.
⁹ Then Hezekiah questioned with the priests and the Levites concerning the heaps.
¹⁰ And Azariah the chief priest of the house of Zadok answered him, and said, Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the LORD, we have had enough to eat, and have left plenty: for the LORD hath blessed his people; and that which is left is this great store.
We have here an account of what was done after the passover. What was wanting in the solemnities of preparation for it before was made up in that which is better, a due improvement of it after. When the religious exercises of a Lord's day or a communion are finished we must not think that then the work is done. No, then the hardest part of our work begins, which is to exemplify the impressions of the ordinance upon our minds in all the instances of a holy conversation. So it was here; when all this was finished there was more to be done.
I. They applied themselves with vigour to destroy all the monuments of idolatry, 2Ch 31:1. The king had done what he could of this kind (2Ki 18:4), but the people could discover those profane relics which escaped the eye of the king's officers, and therefore they went out to see what they could do, 2Ch 31:1. This was done immediately after the passover. Note, The comfort of communion with God should kindle in us a holy zeal and indignation against sin, against every thing that is offensive to God. If our hearts have been made to burn within us at an ordinance, that spirit of burning will consume the dross of corruption. What have I now to do any more with idols? Their zeal here in destroying the images and groves, the high places and altars, appeared, 1. In that they did this, not only in the cities of Judah and Benjamin, but in those of Ephraim and Manasseh. Some think that those cities are meant which had come under the protection and the jurisdiction of the kings of Judah. Others think that, Hoshea king of Israel not forbidding it, their zeal carried them out to the destruction of idolatry even in many parts of his kingdom. At least those that came out of Ephraim and Manasseh to keep the passover (as many did, 2Ch 30:18) destroyed all their own images and groves, and did the like for as many more as they had influence upon or could make interest in for leave to do it. We should not only reform ourselves, but do all we can to reform others too. 2. They destroyed all: they utterly destroyed all; they spared none through favour or affection either to the images or to their worshippers; though ever so ancient, ever so costly, ever so beautiful, and ever so well patronised, yet they must all be destroyed. Note, Those that sincerely set themselves against sin will set themselves against all sin. 3. They would not return to their houses, though they had been long absent, till this was done. They could not be easy, nor think themselves safe, in their cities, as long as the images and groves, those betrayers and destroyers of their country, were left standing. Perhaps the prophet Isaiah pointed to this when, a little before, he spoke of a day in which men should cast away the very idols that they themselves had made. So surprising was this blessed change, Isa 2:20,31:6,7.
II. Hezekiah revived and restored the courses of the priests and Levites, which David had appointed and which had of late been put out of course, 2Ch 31:2. The temple service was put into its proper method again, to run in the old channel. Every man was made to know his work, his place, his time, and what was expected from him. Note, Good order contributes much to the carrying on of a good work. The priests were appointed in their courses for burnt-offerings and peace-offerings; the Levites in their courses were some to minister to the priests, others to give thanks and praise. See 1Ch 23:4,5. And all this in the gates or courts of the tents of the Lord. The temple is here called a tent because the temple privileges are movable things and this temple was shortly to be removed.
III. He appropriated a branch of the revenue of his crown to the maintenance and support of the altar. Though the people were to be at the charge of the daily offerings, and those on the sabbaths, new moons, and feasts, yet, rather than they should be burdened with the expense, he allowed out of his own estate, or out of his exchequer, for all those offerings, 2Ch 31:3. It was a generous act of piety, wherein he consulted both God's honour and his people's ease, as a faithful servant to him and a tender father to them. Let princes and great men reckon that well bestowed, and set out to the best interest, which they give for the support and encouragement of religion in their country.
IV. He issued out an order to the inhabitants of Jerusalem first, 2Ch 31:4 (that those who were nearest the temple, and both saved and got by being so, might give a good example to others), but which was afterwards extended to, or at least admitted by, the cities of Judah, that they should carefully pay in their dues, according to the law, to the priests and Levites. This had been long neglected, which made the work to be neglected (for a scandalous maintenance makes a scandalous ministry); but Hezekiah, having himself been liberal, might with a good grace require his subjects to be just to the temple service. And observe the end he aims at in recovering and restoring to the priests and Levites their portion, that they might be encouraged in the law of the Lord, in the study of it, and in doing their duty according to it. Observe here, 1. It is fit that ministers should be not only maintained, but encouraged, that they should not only be kept to do their work, but that they should also have wherewith to live comfortably, that they may do it with cheerfulness. 2. Yet they are to be maintained, not in idleness, pride, and luxury, but in the law of the Lord, in their observance of it themselves and in teaching others the good knowledge of it.
V. The people thereupon brought in their tithes very readily. They wanted nothing but to be called upon; and therefore, as soon as the commandment came abroad, the first-fruits and all the holy things were duly brought in, 2Ch 31:5,6. What the priests had occasion for, for themselves and their families, they made use of, and the overplus was laid in heaps, 2Ch 31:6. All harvest-time they were increasing these heaps, as the fruits of the earth were gathered in; for God was to have his dues out of them all. Though a prescription may be pleaded for a modus decimandi—tenth proportion, yet it cannot be pleaded pro non decminado—for the omission of the tenth. When harvest ended they finished their heaps, 2Ch 31:7. Now here we have, 1. The account given to Hezekiah concerning those heaps. He questioned the priests and Levites concerning them, why they did not use what was paid in, but hoarded it up thus, (2Ch 31:9), to which it was answered that they had made use of all they had occasion for, for the maintenance of themselves and their families and for their winter store, and that this was that which was left over and above, 2Ch 31:10. They did not hoard these heaps for covetousness, but to show what plentiful provision God by his law had made for them, if they could but have it collected and brought in, and that those who conscientiously give God his dues out of their estates bring a blessing upon all they have: Since they began to bring in the offerings the Lord has blessed his people. See for this Hag 2:19. "Try me," says God, "if you will not otherwise trust me, whether, upon your bringing the tithes into the store-house, you have not a blessing poured out upon you," Mal 3:10,11, Eze 44:30. 2. The acknowledgment which the king and princes made of it, 2Ch 31:8. They gave thanks to God for his good providence, which gave them something to bring, and his good grace, which gave them hearts to bring it. And they also blessed the people, that is, commended them for their doing well now, without reproaching them for their former neglects. It is observable that after they had tasted the sweetness of God's ordinance, in the late comfortable passover, they were thus free in maintaining the temple service. Those that experience the benefit of a settled ministry will not grudge the expense of it.
11-21
The Maintenance of the Priests (720 BC)
日本語
祭司たちの生計の維持（紀元前720年）
¹¹ そこでヒゼキヤは、主の宮に部屋を備えるよう命じた。彼らはそれを備え、 ¹² 携寄祭と十分の一と献納物を忠実に携え入れた。レビ人コナヌヤがその責任者となり、その兄弟シメイが次位であった。 ¹³ ヒゼキヤ王と神の宮のつかさアザルヤの命令により、エヒエル、アザズヤ、ナハテ、アサエル、エリモテ、ヨザバデ、エリエル、イスマヤ、マハテ、ベナヤは、コナヌヤとその兄弟シメイの下で監督者であった。 ¹⁴ 東の門の守衛であるレビ人イムナの子コレは、神への自発的な献げ物のために任じられ、主の奉納物と最も聖なるものを分配する任務を負った。 ¹⁵ 彼に次ぐ者はエデン、ミナミン、エシュア、シェマヤ、アマルヤ、シェカヌヤであって、祭司の町々でその定めの務めにつき、組にしたがってその同胞に、大いなる者にも小さい者にも分け与えた。 ¹⁶ すなわち、三歳以上のすべての男子で主の宮に入る者の系図のほかに、その組にしたがって務めにつく者たちに、毎日その分け前を与えた。 ¹⁷ 祭司の系図はその父祖の家によって、レビ人は二十歳以上の者が、その組にしたがってその務めの系図に記された。 ¹⁸ また、その幼子、妻、息子、娘のすべての系図を全会衆のために記した。彼らがそのきよめの務めを聖さのうちに誠実に行っていたからである。 ¹⁹ また、アロンの子孫である祭司たちで、その町々の郊外の畑に住んでいる者たちのために、町ごとに名指された人々が、祭司の中のすべての男子と、レビ人の中で系図に数えられたすべての者に分け前を与えた。 ²⁰ ヒゼキヤはユダの全土においてこのように行い、その神、主の前で良いこと、正しいこと、真実なことを行った。 ²¹ 神の宮の奉仕のわざ、律法、戒めにおいて彼が始めたすべてのわざにおいて、彼は自分の神を尋ね求め、全心をもってこれを行い、栄えた。
ここで私たちは次を見る。
I. ヒゼキヤが教会の事柄を良い秩序に整えた後、それをそのように保つために配慮した二つの具体的な例。十分の一とその他の聖なるものが携え入れられると、彼は次のことを備えた。1. それらが粗末に積まれたままにされて浪費や横領にさらされることのないよう、注意深く保管されること。彼は宮の庭の一部に倉庫としての部屋を備えるよう命じ（2Ch 31:11）、そこに献げ物を携え入れ、鍵をかけて保管した（2Ch 31:12,13）。監督者すなわち保管担当者が任じられ、虫とさびがそれらを損なったり、盗人が突破して盗んだりしないよう見張った。豊かな時に余剰を蓄えるこの知恵は、夏に食べ物を備えるありから学ぶことができる。携え入れられたものを蓄えることは、人々が献金を納めることへの励みとなった。公のものがよく管理されていると見なされれば、喜んで与えられるものである。2. それらが本来の用途にしたがって忠実に支出されること。教会の宝は必要が生じるまで蓄えておくべきであり、貯え込む者に対してはさびそのものが証人にならないようにしなければならない。知恵と忠実さが認められた役人たちが任じられ、祭司たちの間で主の奉納物と最も聖なるものを分配し（2Ch 31:14）、彼らすべてとその家族が適切な生計を維持できるように目を配った。律法は彼らすべてに十分なものを定めていたので、もし一部の者が少なすぎるとしたら、他の者が多すぎるからに違いない。このような不平等を防ぐために、これらの役人たちは宮の収入の処分において一定の比率の規則に従わなければならなかった。ここの祭司たちについてこう言われている（2Ch 31:18）。彼らはそのきよめの務めにおいて自らをきよめた。信仰において自らをきよめた（ことばはそうである）。すなわち、パトリック主教が説明するように、必要なすべてのものが備えられることを疑わずに神の宮でその務めに仕えたということである。彼らがその確信のうちに神に仕えたので、その望みが恥じ入れとされないよう、細やかな配慮がなされた。注意すべき。神とその奉仕のために信仰において自らをきよめる者、自分にとって良いものは何一つ欠けることがないと信じて神に信頼する者は、必ず養われる。主の献げ物から分配がなされた。(1.) 町々にいる祭司たちに（2Ch 31:15）。彼らはその同胞がエルサレムに行き、そこで主の良い知識を教えるという良いわざをしている間、家に留まった。説教する祭司も、いけにえを献げる祭司と同様に生計が保障され、荷物を守る者も戦う者と同様であった。(2.) 主の宮に入る者たち、すなわち三歳以上のすべての男子に。幼い男の子たちもその幼い年齢で両親と共に宮に入ることが許され、この分配にあずかったと思われる（2Ch 31:16）。(3.) 二十歳以上のレビ人たちもその分け前を受けた（2Ch 31:17）。(4.) 祭司とレビ人の妻と子どもたちも、それらの献げ物から快適な生計を得た（2Ch 31:18）。奉仕者を養うにあたっては、その家族も考慮しなければならず、彼らだけでなくその家族も必要な食を得られるようにすべきである。国が奉仕者の給与を支払う一部の国々では、子の誕生時にそれが加算される。(5.) 地方に住み郊外の畑に住む祭司たちも、この奉仕において見過ごされなかった（2Ch 31:19）。村の住民たちもその分け前を受けた。たとえ彼らは経費がかからないと思われていたかもしれないが、そうであった。
II. 宗教の維持のためのヒゼキヤの奉仕に関する全般的な評価（2Ch 31:20,21）。1. 彼の敬虔な熱心は王国のあらゆる部分に及んだ。*彼はユダの全土でこのように行った。*彼の近くにあるところだけでなく、国のあらゆる地域がその統治の良い実りにあずかった。2. 彼は真心から神を喜ばせたいと願い、自分が行うすべての事において神に認められた。彼はその神、主の前で良いことを行った。彼のすべての関心は、神に受け入れられることを行うことであった。すなわち、正しいこと（自然の衡平にかなうこと）、真実なこと（神の啓示と神との契約にかなうこと）を主の前で行うことであった。聖で正しくて良いその律法に従って行うことであった。3. 彼が始めたものは最後まで全うし、精力をもって追求し、*全心をもって行った。*4. 彼のすべての良い意図は良い結果をもたらした。神の宮の奉仕のわざにおいても、王国の統治においても、彼が行ったすべての事において栄えた。注意すべき。神の栄光に対する真実な思いをもって始められたものは、ついには私たち自身の誉れと慰めに至るであろう。
bản gốc tiếng anh
The Maintenance of the Priests (720 BC)
¹¹ Then Hezekiah commanded to prepare chambers in the house of the LORD; and they prepared them,
¹² And brought in the offerings and the tithes and the dedicated things faithfully: over which Cononiah the Levite was ruler, and Shimei his brother was the next.
¹³ And Jehiel, and Azaziah, and Nahath, and Asahel, and Jerimoth, and Jozabad, and Eliel, and Ismachiah, and Mahath, and Benaiah, were overseers under the hand of Cononiah and Shimei his brother, at the commandment of Hezekiah the king, and Azariah the ruler of the house of God.
¹⁴ And Kore the son of Imnah the Levite, the porter toward the east, was over the freewill offerings of God, to distribute the oblations of the LORD, and the most holy things.
¹⁵ And next him were Eden, and Miniamin, and Jeshua, and Shemaiah, Amariah, and Shecaniah, in the cities of the priests, in their set office, to give to their brethren by courses, as well to the great as to the small:
¹⁶ Beside their genealogy of males, from three years old and upward, even unto every one that entereth into the house of the LORD, his daily portion for their service in their charges according to their courses;
¹⁷ Both to the genealogy of the priests by the house of their fathers, and the Levites from twenty years old and upward, in their charges by their courses;
¹⁸ And to the genealogy of all their little ones, their wives, and their sons, and their daughters, through all the congregation: for in their set office they sanctified themselves in holiness:
¹⁹ Also of the sons of Aaron the priests, which were in the fields of the suburbs of their cities, in every several city, the men that were expressed by name, to give portions to all the males among the priests, and to all that were reckoned by genealogies among the Levites.
²⁰ And thus did Hezekiah throughout all Judah, and wrought that which was good and right and truth before the LORD his God.
²¹ And in every work that he began in the service of the house of God, and in the law, and in the commandments, to seek his God, he did it with all his heart, and prospered.
Here we have,
I. Two particular instances of the care of Hezekiah concerning church matters, having put them into good order, to keep them so. The tithes and other holy things being brought in, he provided, 1. That they should be carefully laid up, and not left exposed in loose heaps, liable to be wasted and embezzled. He ordered chambers to be made ready in some of the courts of the temple for store-chambers (2Ch 31:11), and into them the offerings were brought and there kept under lock and key, 2Ch 31:12,13. Treasures or store-keepers were appointed, who had the oversight of them, to see that moth and rust did not corrupt them nor thieves break through to steal. This wisdom of laying up the surplus in days of plenty we may learn from the ant, who provideth meat in summer. The laying up in store what was brought in was an encouragement to people to pay in their contributions. That will be given cheerfully by the public which appears to be well husbanded. 2. That they should be faithfully laid out, according to the uses they were intended for. Church treasures are not to be hoarded any longer than till there is occasion for them, lest even the rust should be a witness against those who hoard them. Officers were appointed, men (no doubt) of approved wisdom and faithfulness, to distribute the oblations of the Lord and the most holy things among the priests (2Ch 31:14), and to see that they all had a competent maintenance for themselves and their families. The law provided sufficient for them all, and therefore, if some had too little, it must be because others had too much; to prevent such inequality these officers were to go by some certain rule of proportion in the disposal of the incomes of the temple. It is said of the priests here (2Ch 31:18) that in their set office they sanctified themselves; in faith they sanctified themselves (so the word is), that is, as bishop Patrick explains it, they attended their ministry at the house of God, not doubting but they should be provided with all things necessary. Now, because they served God in that confidence, care was taken that they should not be made ashamed of their hope. Note, Those that sanctify themselves to God and his service in faith, believing that he will see them want for nothing that is good for them, shall certainly be fed. Out of the offerings of the Lord distribution was made, (1.) To the priests in the cities (2Ch 31:15), who staid at home while their brethren went to Jerusalem, and did good there in teaching the good knowledge of the Lord. The preaching priests were maintained as well as the sacrificing priests, and those that abode by the stuff as well as those that warred the warfare. (2.) To those that entered into the house of the Lord, all the males from three years old and upwards; for the male children even at that tender age, it seems, were allowed to come into the temple with their parents, and shared with them in this distribution, 2Ch 31:16. (3.) Even the Levites from twenty years old and upwards had their share, 2Ch 31:17. (4.) The wives and children of the priests and Levites had a comfortable maintenance out of those offerings, 2Ch 31:18. In maintaining ministers, regard must be had to their families, that not they only, but theirs, may have food convenient. In some countries where ministers have their salary paid them by the state an addition is made to it upon the birth of a child. (5.) The priests in the country, that lived in the fields of the suburbs, were not overlooked in this ministration, 2Ch 31:19. Those also had their share who were inhabitants of the villages, though they might be supposed to live at a less expense.
II. A general character of Hezekiah's services for the support of religion, 2Ch 31:20,21. 1. His pious zeal reached to all the parts of his kingdom: Thus he did throughout all Judah; every part of the country, and not those only that lay next him, shared in the good fruits of his government. 2. He sincerely designed to please God, and approved himself to him in all he did: He wrought that which was good before the Lord his God; all his care was to do that which should be accepted of God, which was right (that is, agreeable to natural equity), and truth (that is, agreeable to divine revelation and his covenant with God), before the Lord; to do according to that law which is holy, just, and good. 3. What he began he went through with, prosecuted it with vigour, and did it with all his heart. 4. All his good intentions were brought to a good issue; whatever he did in the service of the house of God, and in the government of his kingdom, he prospered in it. Note, What is undertaken with a sincere regard to the glory of God will succeed to our own honour and comfort at last.
ここで私たちは、ヒゼキヤが栄光ある器であったあの祝福された改革に関する追加の記録と、彼がその中で成し遂げた幸いな進展に接する。 I. 偶像礼拝の残滓がことごとく滅ぼされ廃止された、2Ch 31:1。 II. 祭司たちとレビ人たちが再び働きにつき、各人が自分の持ち場に就いた、2Ch 31:2。 III. 彼らの生活のための配慮がなされた。 1. 聖職者たちへの王の惜しみない下賜と、神殿礼拝維持のための費用が正当に支払われた、2Ch 31:3。 2. 民の負担分を集めるための命令が下された、2Ch 31:4。 3. 民はこれに応えて、その義務分を豊かに携えてきた、2Ch 31:5-10。 4. 携えられたものの適切な分配のために委員が任命された、2Ch 31:11-19。最後に、ヒゼキヤがすべての事業において示した真実さに関する全般的な称賛が記されている、2Ch 31:20,21。