As happened several times during the reign of Judah’s kings, the temple had fallen into disuse and disrepair, with most people worshiping Baal and Asherah at the “high places,” hilltop shrines. When Hezekiah became king, however, he began the work of restoring the worship of Yahweh, ordering the Levites to cleanse and sanctify the temple (II Chronicles 29:3-19).

Then they gathered for worship once more. “When the burnt offering began, the song to the Lord began also, and the trumpets, accompanied by the instruments of King David of Israel. The whole assembly worshiped, the singers sang, and the trumpeters sounded; all this continued until the burnt offering was finished” (29:28-29). Professional worship leaders, the common people, and the royalty as well: “When the burnt offering was finished, the king and all those present with him bowed down and worshiped” (29:30).

The Passover had not been celebrated for a considerable period of time (30:5, 26), and Hezekiah sent messengers to invite all Israel, not just the people of Judah, to come to Jerusalem to take part; but most of the people from the northern tribes mocked and scorned these messengers (30:10-11). Still, some did come from the north, and many came from Judah – yet many of them had failed to sanctify themselves and were not eligible to take part (30:17-18).

King Hezekiah prayed for them: “The good Lord pardon all who set their hearts to seek God, the Lord the God of their ancestors, even though not in accordance with the sanctuary’s rules of cleanness” (30:18-19). His conviction seems to have been that it was more important to gather the people in as worship was re-established, instead of insisting that since they had not followed the rules and so they could not be included. Apparently God agreed: “The Lord heard Hezekiah, and healed the people” (30:20).

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Again and again you show yourself ready to restore us, O Lord, if only we will turn to you. Like our ancestors, we are not prepared; we are not sanctified; we have not followed the rules for cleanness: yet we pray that in your mercy you would help us, cleanse us, and heal us.

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