Senior Class Notes – June 30, 2024 – Toonigh Baptist Church

Summer 2024 Special Focus – Praying for Our Nation; 2 Chronicles 7:1-3, 12-20; PSG 62-73 PSG-CSB.

June 30, 2024

The Point: God blesses those who humbly look to Him.

Inspirational verse: “From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17).

2 Chronicles 7:1 Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house.

Fire had come down from heaven once before on an offering at precisely the same spot where the temple stood – on David’s sacrifice on the threshing floor of Ornan “And David built there an alter unto the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called upon the LORD; and he answered him from heaven by fire upon the alter of burnt offering.” (1 Chronicles 21:26).¹⁶ The Lord’s sending fire down from heaven that consumed the sacrifices is attested to elsewhere.

“And it came to pass, that, when the sun went down, and it was dark, behold a smoking furnace, and a burning lamp that passed between those pieces.” (Gen. 15:17)
“And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench.” (1 kings 18:36-38).

The inauguration of worship at the tabernacle had also been greeted with the Lord’s fire “And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.” (Lev. 9:24). For the Glory of the LORD See 1 Kings 8:10-11, “And it came to pass, when the priest were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.” (1 Kings 8:10-11)⁵⁶ After Solomon had the ark placed in the Holy of Holies (2 Chron. 6:7) “Then the temple of the LORD was filled with a cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the temple of God.” (2 Chron. 6:13-14). The glory cloud represented the presence of God. it had guided Israel out of Egypt and through the desert, and was present above the tabernacle (Ex. 13:21-22; 40:34-38).³⁵

2 Chronicles 7:2 And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD’s house.

Fire came down from heaven: This dramatic occurrence showed that God approved of what Solomon and the people had done. The glory of the LORD was a cloud and a light so bright that no one could stand in its presence “As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD, and when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake. Then the glory of the LORD went up from the cherub, and stood over the threshold of the house; and the house was filled with the cloud, and the court was full of the brightness of the LORD’s glory.” (Ezekiel 1:28; 10:4).¹⁶

2 Chronicles 7:3 And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.

This display of God’s glory was publicly visible, reminding everyone of God’s reality and His faithful character. The praise of the worshippers focused on God, not the temple or the king.¹⁶

2 Chronicles 7:12 And the LORD appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer, and have chosen this place to myself for an house of sacrifice.

Ten years earlier, Solomon had begun his reign by visiting the tabernacle at Gibeon “In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee.” (2 Chron. 1:7). Just as the LORD had done at Gibeon, He appeared to Solomon by night. This time God confirmed everything that Solomon had prayed for.¹⁶ “That the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon.” (1 Kings 9:2).⁵⁶ God had appeared to Solomon previously at Gibeon (1 Chronicles 3:5). Additional details as to God’s challenge to Solomon on this occasion are recorded in 2 Chronicles 7:11-22.⁵⁶

2 Chronicles 7:13 If I shut up heaven that there be no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send pestilence among my people;

This refers to times when the Israelites will have become faithless to God and are enduring the consequences, whether it was a famine, an invasion, or even the deportation to another country.¹⁶ Solomon’s prayer is answered with a tremendous promise: God will hear His children’s cry for repentance, forgive the people’s sins and heal their land. This promise is especially powerful considering that the original audience for whom the Chronicler was writing was the remnant of Jews who had returned home from their Babylonian exile. A promise of restoration would have given them great hope.¹⁷

2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

This promise presupposes a very specific context. It was given to God’s people, which are called by God’s name, and it is a part of God’s answer to Solomon’s prayer. To be humble. . .pray. . .seek God, and turn from sin are four aspects of one attitude: repentance. If Israel would repent, He would forgive them and heal their spiritual relationship with Him associated with the promised land.¹⁶ My people. This verse is often applied to nations today, but “my people” here refers to Israel. As the people of God in the present age, the church (Jews and Gentiles alike) is the New Testament equivalent of those who must pray and humble themselves (Gal. 3:29; 1 Peter 2:9). This promise to hear, if the people will pray, is directly linked to the covenant promises that God made with the Israelites (Deut. 28-30). Blessings were linked to obedience, curses linked to rebellion, and the promise that God would hear if they repented was the reminder that God had eternal commitment to them. God always hears the sincere prayers of His people, and Christians are directed to pray for the leaders of the nations “I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceful life in all godliness and honesty.” (1 Tim. 2:1-2).¹⁸

2 Chronicles 7:15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent [attentive] unto the prayer that is made in this place.

Furthermore, as was established earlier, the prayer mentioned is specifically intended to refer to prayer in the temple or, if that is not possible, prayer said facing in the direction of the temple.¹⁶ For example “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” (Daniel 6:10).¹² While this promise was originally given to Solomon regarding the people of Israel, it is certainly applicable to all who will call on the Lord in repentance and faith. These verses (14 and 15) stand as a high expression of God’s loving readiness to hear the prayers of a repentant people (cf. 6:37-39; James 4:8-10).¹⁸ This promise – Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place – is given specifically to God’s covenant people, and by itself it should not be applied to other nations or to the church. However, these verses reflect God’s gracious nature, and on that basis, we may draw out a more fundamental principle – that any person, regardless of race or geography, can come to the Lord with a repentant heart and find forgiveness.¹⁶ See the following:

2 Chronicles 6:32-33: “Moreover concerning the stranger, which is not of thy people Israel, but is come from a far country for thy great name’s sake, and thy mighty hand, and thy stretched out arm; if they come and pray in this house; Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, and do according to all that the stranger calleth to thee for; that all people of the earth may know thy name, and fear thee, as doth thy people Israel, and may know that this house which I have built is called by thy name.”
Joel 2:32: “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call.”
Acts 2:21: “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Romans 10:13: “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

2 Chronicles 7:16 For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and my eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

God’s eyes and heart represent His presence. He would be connected to the temple as long as Solomon and the people sought and followed Him. But if they rejected God, He would allow the temple to be destroyed as a visible symbol to other nations of Israel’s sin. The Lord was true to His word on both counts.³²

2 Chronicles 7:17 And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, and do according to all that I have commanded thee, and shalt observe my statutes and my judgments;

And as for thee, if thou wilt walk before me: As the blessings on God’s people were conditional upon their faithfulness to God, so too Israel’s king would receive blessings if he remained faithful to God. Walk before me: Walk (halak) refers to how one lives life, the character of one’s lifestyle. As Israel’s king, Solomon was accountable to God both for how he lived personally and how he ruled God’s people. As David thy father walked: David was a man after God’s own heart (1 Sam. 13:14; Acts 13:22). David was not perfect. He committed adultery and murder (2 Sam. 11-12). But in general, he walked in God’s ways and when confronted with his sins, he repented and sought God’s forgiveness (Psalms 32:1-5; 51).²³

2 Chronicles 7:18 Then will I stablish the throne of thy kingdom, according as I have covenanted with David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel.

Solomon was confirmed as God’s chosen king and the one whose offspring would continue the line of David on the throne. This was a promise specifically to Solomon. If he was faithful to God’s covenant, God would establish his throne as king of Israel. Stablish (qum) means confirm, ratify, and impose. It carries the sense of strengthening and upholding Solomon’s kingdom. There shall not fail thee a man to be ruler in Israel: The Hebrew word for fail (karath) is the same word as “covenanted.” God promised Solomon that there would never be a time when Israel would be without a king. God would not break the promise that he cut (covenanted) with David and now with Solomon.²³

2 Chronicles 7:19 But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;

But if Solomon or his successors proved to be unworthy, a time might come when there was no longer a throne for David’s offspring to occupy.

2 Chronicles 7:20 Then will I pluck them up by the roots out of my land which I have given them; and this house, which I have sanctified for my name, will I cast out of my sight, and will make it to be a proverb and a byword among all nations.

Just as God was faithful in keeping His promise, He would also be faithful in carrying out His punishment for sin and rebellion. The Lord would not continue the kingdom if the kings refused to follow him.

References: Summer 2024, June 2, 2024 – August 25, 2024

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(CWB#2) – Commentary practical and explanatory on the Whole Bible by Rev. Robert Jamieson, Rev. A.R. Fausset, Rev. David Brown by Zondervan Publishing House – Grand Rapids, Michigan. 49506
(ESVSB) – The English Standard Version Study Bible, Personal size. Copyright © 2008 by Crossway. Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright © 2001 by Crossway.
(ETB) – Explore The Book by J Sidlow Baxter. Copyright © 1960 by J. Sidlow Baxter. Published 1960 by Zondervan Publishing House – Grand Rapids, Michigan.
(HISB) – The Holman Illustrated Study Bible – The Holman Illustrated Study Bible Copyright © 2006 by Holman Bible Publishers. The Holman Christian Standard Bible Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers.
(HRTB) He Reads Truth Bible Copyright © 2019 by Holman Bible Publishers Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved. Based on the Christian Standard Bible Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved.
(IMO) – On occasion, with the prayerful guidance of the Holy Spirit, I will make comments of my own, based on my understanding of the events. I will indicate such times with – In My O
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(NIVBTSB) – The New International Version Biblical Theology Study Bible Copyright © 2018 by The Zondervan Corporation. Text from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. previously published as The New International Version Zondervan Study Bible.
(NIVCBSB) – The New International Version Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible Copyright © 2016 by The Zondervan Corporation text from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. published by the Zondervan Corporation.
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(NIVSB) – The New International Version Study Bible Copyright © 1985 by the Zondervan Corporation text from the Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by the New York International Bible Society.®
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(NIVZSB) – The New International Version Zondervan Study Bible Copyright © 2015 by the Zondervan Corporation. Text from The Holy Bible, New International Version® NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.
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