Great Revivals in the Bible

The Bible records several great revivals where people in great numbers turned to God and gave up their sinful ways of living. Each revival was characterized by a leader who recognized his nation’s spiritual dryness. And in each case, the leader took action and was not afraid to make his desires known to the people.

Leader

Reference

How the People Responded

Moses

Exodus 32, 33

Accepted God's laws and built the Tabernacle

Samuel

1 Samuel 7:2-13

Promised to make God first in their lives by destroying their idols

David

2 Samuel 6

Brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem; praised God with singing and musical instruments

Jehoshaphat

2 Chronicles 20

Decided to trust in God alone to help them, and their discouragement turned to joy

Hezekiah

2 Chronicles 29–31

Purified the Temple; got rid of idols; brought tithes to God's house

Josiah

2 Chronicles 34, 35

Made a commitment to obey God's commands and remove sinful influences from their lives

Ezra

Ezra 9, 10
Haggai 1

Stopped associating with those who caused them to compromise their faith; renewed their commitment to God's commands; began rebuilding the Temple

Nehemiah (with Ezra)

Nehemiah 8–10

Fasted, confessed their sins, read God's Word publicly, and promised in writing to again serve God wholeheartedly