In Today's Email:
II Chronicles 6 Notes
In this chapter Solomon dedicates the Temple.
vs. 1-11 – This parallels I Kings 8:12-21. The accounts are largely the same. One interesting addition in Chronicles is highlighting God’s choice of Jerusalem in vs. 6, something not in the parallel in I Kings 8:16.
vs. 12-42 - This parallels I Kings 8:22-54. The two accounts are largely the same except for the closing verses (II Chronicles 6:40-42 vs. I Kings 8:50-53).
II Chronicles 7 Notes
In this chapter God shows His blessing on the Temple and Israel.
vs. 1-3 - The shekinah glory showed God’s approval of the building, the fire from heaven showed God’s approval of the services.
vs. 4-10 - This parallels I Kings 8:62-66. The only real difference in the two accounts is again Chronicles gives place to the music of the Temple in vs. 6.
vs. 11-22 - This parallels I Kings 9:2-9. The major difference in the two accounts is the addition of here of God’s response to Solomon’s prayer in vs. 13-15. Since II Chronicles 7:14 is so commonly quoted today, I think it is worth looking at this passage a little deeper. First, let us look at one overlooked feature of these verses, that God is literally responding to Solomon’s prayer in the chapter 6. Compare the repetition of phrases between the two, such as shutting up heaven and there being no rain in 6:26 and 7:13. Second, we must note who this is about in context. It is all about Israel. This dialogue is rooted in the dedication of the Temple and founded upon the great Covenants God made with Israel. The “my people” is clearly the Israelite nation and the “land” is clearly the Promised Land. In summary, if Israel would fall into sin so that God judged them and the land then they could repent and come back to God who would forgive and restore them. Third, these verses are not about America in their primary application. The same goes for Psalm 33:12. We may draw some great principles from these verses, but the distinction needs to be made clear. To not do so is to get dangerously close with Replacement Theology. I dare say most Christians have no idea about the context of these verses because of how they have been mishandled by well-meaning preachers.
II Chronicles 8 Notes
In this chapter the greatness of Solomon’s kingdom is described.
vs. 1-18 - This parallels I Kings 9:10-28. This is Solomon at his peak.
Closing Thoughts
The Temple was dedicated to the worship of God, but one of its primary functions was that of repentance and restoration. The people and the nation could gather there and seek God’s face anew as they turned from their sin. Yes, God is holy and God is just. Yes, God will punish sin. But God is also forgiving to those who repent and seek Him.
Hymn for Today
Our hymn today is “Almighty God, Before Thy Throne” by Anne Steele. It was originally composed for the observation of a public fast on February 6, 1756, and first appeared under the heading “Public Humiliation”. It captures well the spirit of repentance that God spoke to Solomon about.
See, gracious God, before thy throne
Thy mourning people bend!
'Tis on thy sovereign grace alone,
Our humble hopes depend.
Tremendous judgments from thy hand,
Thy dreadful power display;
Yet mercy spares this guilty land,
And still we live to pray.
Great God, and why is Britain spar'd,
Ungrateful as we are!
O make thy awful warnings heard,
While mercy cries "forbear."
What numerous crimes increasing rise,
Thro' this apostate Isle!
What land so favor'd of the skies,
And yet what land so vile?
How chang'd alas! are truths divine,
For error, guilt, and shame!
What impious numbers, bold in sin,
Disgrace the Christian name!
Regardless of thy smile or frown,
Their pleasures they require;
And sink with gay indifference down
To everlasting fire.
O turn us, turn us, mighty Lord,
By thy resistless grace;
Then shall our hearts obey thy word,
And humbly seek thy face.
Then, should insulting foes invade,
We shall not sink in fear;
Secure of never-failing aid,
If God, our God, is near.