Now ye have consecrated yourselves unto the Lord.
Consecration
The reign of Hezekiah was like the spasmodic brightness of a candle about to go out for ever. The root principle in consecrating anything is the recognition of God’s exclusive ownership.
I. A real consecration is an act of free will.
II. Consecration means a giving to God Himself.
III. Nor will such consecration be complete without a personal consecration. (Bishop Charles E. Cheney.)
Worship and thank-offerings
I. The occasion referred to: it was the opening of the house of God.
1. This house was a sacred edifice, consecrated to God and typical of the body of Christ.
2. In the house they opened for God, they recognised a place of meeting between God and souls.
3. In the house that was opened for the worship of God, there was an inner court. Into this inner court we have now “access by the Spirit unto the Father.”
II. The nature of their worship. By sacrifice. There is no acceptable worship of God without sacrifice.
III. The expressions of thankfulness among the people. They were happy--
1. In the knowledge of their acceptance with God.
2. In the extension of the life of God in their souls.
3. In the revival of the worship of God among them publicly.
4. In the expression of their ardent concern to rival one another in the service of God--for they all brought their thankofferings. (Joseph Irons.)