Commentaries:
Though Hezekiah's reforms were done physically, the principle of duality within the Bible suggests that his actions had spiritual connotations. The king commanded the Levites to make themselves fit for the Temple services. They consequently cleaned up the Temple also. He reestablished the priests in their proper positions, administering before God to the people of Israel, and he reinstituted the specific Levitical functions such as burning incense and making sacrifices. They were precursors of events to take place when God made the New Covenant with spiritual Israel, the Israel of God (Galatians 6:16).
Thus begins a revival of the worship of God, the beginning of the pattern Israel consistently followed. But just as sure as a king like Hezekiah rose and turned the people back to God, he would be followed by someone like Manasseh. Israel would sink further into idolatry than before.
John W. Ritenbaugh
Guard the Truth!