Chapter 367 of 1163

2 Chronicles 29

When Hezekiah became king, the situation at the temple was not unlike the condition of some churches today (v. 7). Closed doors speak of no access to God and no service for God. He has set before us an open door (Rev. 3:8), and we close it.

The lamps were out, which indicates no witness (Matt. 5:16), and the incense altar was cold, which signifies that no prayer was going up to God (Ps. 141:2). There were no sacrifices on the altar (Rom. 12:1–2), but there was plenty of rubbish in the temple. No wonder the nation was experiencing the wrath of God instead of the blessing of God.

Hezekiah’s formula for revival was simple: sanctification, sacrifice, and song. He started with the priests and Levites, for if God’s servants are not clean, God cannot bless their work. Then the priests sanctified the temple, offered the sacrifices, and sang the song of the Lord.

It all happened suddenly (v. 36), but what happened was not new or novel. It was simply a return to the ways of the Lord (Jer. 6:16).

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