In verses 1- 6 - Josiah offered the Passover lamb on the fourteenth day of the first month in Jerusalem. He appointed priests to their offices and encouraged them to serve in the house of the Lord and the Levites to put the ark in the temple so as not to carry it around. They were to prepare themselves to serve in the Holy Place and slaughter the Passover lamb and to consecrate themselves according to the word of the Lord given to Moses.

Josiah celebrated the Passover in the first month of Nisan while Hezekiah did in the second month of Zif in chapter 30. This was because the priests and the people were not consecrated yet. Like Hezekiah, Josiah ensured adequate preparations were made before the celebration. Consecration for us must also ensure that our sins are dealt with before we worship the Lord as sin hinders worship. We must confess our sins and consecrate ourselves first.

In verses 7-9 - Josiah contributed to the Passover offerings, lambs, and young goats around 30,000 and 3,000 bulls. The officials Hilkiah, Zechariah, and Jehiel, the chief officers of the house of God, gave to the priests for the Passover offerings 2,600 Passover lambs and 300 bulls. Conaniah, Shemaiah, and Nethanel his brothers, and Hashabiah and Jeiel and Jozabad, the chiefs of the Levites gave 5,000 lambs and young goats and 500 bulls.

Just as Hezekiah and the princes in chapter 39, Josiah and his leaders were exemplary in giving generously to the celebration of the Passover. Their giving went beyond the prescribed tithes and offerings. As leaders, we must learn to be like them, exemplary in giving generously to the worship of God for others to follow.

In verses 10- 15 - The priests stood in their place, and the Levites in their divisions as commanded by the king. They set aside the burnt offerings to distribute them to the people after they were offered to the Lord, This was done late into the night. The Levites, the priests, and the singers, the sons of Asaph, stood in their place, and Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun the king's seer and the gatekeepers as well at each gate. The priests and Levites served the Lord and the people as well according to the instructions given to them to celebrate the Passover.

When everyone does their part, we can serve God well together. Unfortunately, we expect others to do their part but not ourselves. Thus, we do not serve well as the body of Christ as we are prone to serve ourselves more than anyone else including God.

In verses 16 – 19 – After everything was prepared, they celebrated the Passover as Josiah commanded. The next seven days, they observed the Passover as no other Passover had been celebrated before in Israel since the days of Samuel the prophet. This took place in the 18th year of the reign of Josiah.

There is nothing more glorifying to the Lord when His people outdo one another in how they worship Him. We are to give and do our best in our worship and serve to God. This will bring honor and joy to the Lord. Let us give and do of our best like the kings and leaders of Israel. Give and do more, and not less like many are doing today!

Prayer: Lord, teach us to worship you wholeheartedly and serve joyously as the body of Christ.