Hezekiah’s Prayer For Purification

Most of those who came from Ephraim, Manasseh, Issachar, and Zebulun had not purified themselves. But King Hezekiah prayed for them, and they were allowed to eat the Passover meal anyway, even though this was contrary to the requirements of the Law. For Hezekiah said, “May the LORD, who is good, pardon those who decide to follow the LORD, the God of their ancestors, even though they are not properly cleansed for the ceremony.” And the LORD listened to Hezekiah’s prayer and healed the people.

2 Chronicles 30:18-20

King Hezekiah’s prayer illustrates the timeless truth that ultimately we are made pure by God himself, not by our own works. The nations of Israel and Judah had been separate for many years, but Hezekiah boldly invited everyone from Israel and Judah to renew their faithful observance of the Passover at the Temple in Jerusalem. Most of the Israelites spurned the invitation, but some from Israel “humbled themselves and went to Jerusalem” (30:11). Hezekiah’s prayer for these impure Israelites was in keeping with God’s nature, and God forgave them.

Although we must never take God’s good will for granted, we can be assured that if we approach him humbly, knowing that we are incapable of justifying ourselves, he will purify us.

• May the Lord, who is good, pardon us who decide to follow the Lord . . .