(8) Be ye not stiffnecked.—Harden ye not your neck like your fathers. 2Kings 17:14, “and they hardened their neck like their fathers’ neck.” (Jeremiah 7:26; Psalm 95:8-9.)

But yield yourselves.—Omit but, and place a stop after fathers. “Yield ye a hand to Jehovah,” i.e., submit to Him. So 1Chronicles 29:24. The phrase also means “to make an agreement with” (Ezra 10:19; 2Kings 10:15). (Comp. Isaiah 2:6.)

Enter into his sanctuary . . . serve the Lord.—Comp. Psalm 100:1; Psalm 100:4.

Which he hath sanctified for over.—2Chronicles 7:16; 2Chronicles 7:20.

That the fierceness (heat) . . . from you.—2Chronicles 29:10. Such resemblances prove the ideal character of these addresses.

2 Chronicles 30:8. Be not stiff-necked, as your fathers were — A metaphorical expression, taken from refractory oxen, which will not go forward, but endeavour to withdraw their necks and shoulders from the yoke, and go backward. But yield yourselves unto the Lord — Hebrew, Give the hand to him, that is, submit yourselves to him, by obeying his command, and renew your covenant with him: both which things were wont to be done among men, by the ceremony of giving the hand; and enter into his sanctuary — Come to worship in his temple at Jerusalem; which he hath sanctified for ever — Hath hallowed, not for a transient and temporary use, but as long as the state and church of Israel shall have a being, whatsoever alterations may happen therein.

30:1-12 Hezekiah made Israel as welcome to the passover, as any of his own subjects. Let us yield ourselves unto the Lord. Say not, you will do what you please, but resolve to do what he pleases. We perceive in the carnal mind a stiffness, an obstinacy, an unaptness to compel with God; we have it from our fathers: this must be overcome. Those who, through grace, have turned to God themselves, should do all they can to bring others to him. Numbers will be scorners, but some will be humbled and benefited; perhaps where least expected. The rich mercy of God is the great argument by which to enforce repentance; the vilest who submit and yield themselves to the Lord, seek his grace, and give themselves to his service, shall certainly be saved. Oh that messengers were sent forth to carry these glad tidings to every city and every village, through every land!The posts went - The bearers of the letters were probably the "runners" who formed a portion of the king's body-guard (2 Kings 10:25 note).

The kings of Assyria - Pul, Tiglath-pileser, and Shalmaneser may all be referred to in this passage (compare the marginal reference and 2 Kings 17:3). The passage by no means implies that the fall of Samaria and final captivity of the Israelites had as yet taken place.

6. the posts—that is, runners, or royal messengers, who were taken from the king's bodyguard (2Ch 23:1, 2). Each, well mounted, had a certain number of miles to traverse. Having performed his course, he was relieved by another, who had to scour an equal extent of ground; so that, as the government messengers were despatched in all directions, public edicts were speedily diffused throughout the country. The proclamation of Hezekiah was followed by a verbal address from himself, piously urging the duty, and setting forth the advantages, of a return to the pure faith and institutions which God had delivered to their ancestors through Moses.

the remnant of you, that are escaped out of the hand of the kings of Assyria—This implies that several expeditions against Israel had already been made by Assyrian invaders—by Pul (2Ki 15:19), but none of the people were then removed; at a later period by Tiglath-pileser, when it appears that numbers among the tribes east of Jordan (1Ch 5:26), and afterwards in the northern parts of Israel (2Ki 15:20), were carried into foreign exile. The invasion of Shalmaneser cannot be alluded to, as it did not take place till the sixth year of Hezekiah's reign (2Ki 17:6; 18:9-12).

Yield yourselves unto the Lord, Heb. give the hand to him, i.e. submit yourselves to him by obeying his command, and renew your covenant with him; both which things were done amongst men by this ceremony of giving the hand. See 1 Chronicles 29:24 Ezra 10:19 Ezekiel 17:18.

Which he hath sanctified for ever; not for a transient and temporary use, but as long as the state and church of Israel had a being, whatsoever alterations should happen therein.

Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were,.... Obstinate and refractory, like heifers unaccustomed to the yoke, which draw back from it, and will not submit to it:

but yield yourselves unto the Lord; be subject unto him, or "give the hand" (q) to him, as a token of subjection and homage, or of entering into covenant with him, promising for the future to serve and obey him:

and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever; set apart for worship and service, until the Messiah should come:

and serve the Lord your God; there, in the temple, according to his prescribed will:

that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you; which had already broke out, in suffering the Assyrians to invade their land, and distress them.

(q) "date manum", Pagninus, Montanus, &c.

Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers were, but {f} yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.

(f) Submit yourselves to the Lord, and rebel no more.