Hezekiah begins to rule after the death of Ahaz, who has destroyed the temple and turned Judah against God.

Hezekiah’s first act is to summons the Levites and tell them to clean out God’s House. Then he tells them to sanctify themselves in order to celebrate Passover.

He sends out messengers to the surrounding Israelite lands, asking them to turn back to the Lord. Most scoff, but some do come, and they celebrate Passover with all Jerusalem, even though the outsiders have not been ritually cleansed.

Hezekiah prays that rather than suffer the punishment for that, they be healed, and so God does.

This is a lovely allegory to how Jesus asks for forgiveness for us from God, having made peace with God on behalf of man.

There is great joy in Judah, and sacrifices are given to God.

Very quickly, after all the trauma of invasion that came from Ahaz’s rule, things become better in Judah:

“Since the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the Lord, we have had enough to eat and have had plenty left, for the Lord has blessed His people; and what is left is this great abundance.

“… And in every work that Hezekiah began in the service of the house of God, in the law and in the commandment, to seek his God, he did it will all his heart. So he prospered.”

Dear God,

Be merciful to us and bless us and cause Your face to shine upon us… That Your way be known on earth and in my heart. Please bless our hearts so that we may come to You in huge numbers this harvest, and celebrate and tithe as You expect. Just as you healed the non-Judean Israelites who celebrated Passover without cleansing, please also heal and bless me despite the sins I have forgotten to confess and turn from. Jesus intercedes for me much better than Hezekiah. Thank you for Him. Please especially forgive me for when I forget to seek you first. Please be with P, strengthen him for his operation, and my dad, and also with Uncle M and R. Thank you for all your blessings Father. You are magnificent. Please forgive my sins, in the name of Jesus my Lord and Saviour.

Amen