Whole-hearted Seeking of God
As necessary preliminary to the right observance of the approaching feast, the removal of the altars erected by Ahaz was resolved upon. The feast and its antitype can be observed only as the leaven of evil is put away, 1 Corinthians 5:7. So great was the zeal of the people, that it shamed the priests and Levites into a new earnestness. There were irregularities in the celebration, as, for instance, the Levites slaughtered the paschal victims for every one that had not passed through the usual process of ceremonial cleansing. But the intention of the crowds was right, and in answer to Hezekiah's prayer, no penalty was inflicted for these violations of the prescribed ritual. Another proof is thus afforded that the main thing with God is the attitude of the heart, Psalms 69:31.
When spiritual captivities are turned, there is an outburst of singing. Each great revival has had its Gregorian chants, its Luther's hymns, its Charles Wesley, its Havergal, its Sankey.
The immense numbers of slaughtered beasts were necessitated by the presence of vast multitudes of people, who needed to be supported while at Jerusalem. Only a small portion of the animal was presented on the altar, the remainder being eaten by the offerers.