In Second Chronicles, chapter thirty, verse six, turning from sinful ways to return to God is an essential prerequisite for revival, as in Zechariah one, verse four. The verb “turn” occurs four times in verses six through nine, implying that God’s people were a backslidden state, attached more to worldly ways than God’s. The message of repentance applies to all churches that have forsaken their first love, accepted unbiblical doctrine, and compromised with the world.
Hezekiah made Israel welcome to the Passover, as any of his 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 we must 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 have salvation. Oh, that messengers were to carry these glad tidings to every city and every village through every land!
So the posts went with the letters expressed were sent throughout all the tribes of Israel, with memorials, earnestly pressing the people to take this opportunity to return to God, from whom they had revolted. In these letters, Hezekiah discovers concern for God’s honor and welfare of the neighboring kingdom, the prosperity of which he seems earnestly to have desired. He not only received no toll, tribute, or custom from it and, not long since, been vexatious to his kingdom.