God’s Approval of Solomon Building The Temple
July 10, 2021
Commentary
The Lord appeared to Solomon and assured Him that his work on the temple and its dedication pleased Him (v. 11-12) (details are given on the actual construction in I Kings 7:1-12). Obedience was the key to God’s Blessing. God encouraged Solomon by His promise that if His judgment (by drought, locusts, or a plague) should fall on the nation for their sin, they need only turn in sincere humility and repentance to the Lord (vv. 13-22). Then they would have forgiveness and restoration (v.13-15).
This promise given, in answer to Solomon’s prayer (6:26-31) was because God’s presence among His people Israel is eternal. (v.16). The covenant promise comes through clearly in the Lord’s declaration that if Solomon would obey Him (v.17) he could be assured of God’s blessing (v. 18). Conversely, if Solomon and the nation should fall away from the Lord and serve other gods they would be exiled and the temple destroyed (v:19-20).
Application
Based upon this Scripture passage what would you say is the key to revival? The only hope for revival to come to our nation is through Christians. If all Christians were like me what would be the possibility of revival. What kind of an example of humility and prayer have I been? When was the last time I sincerely humbled myself and prayed? What happened?
2 Chronicles 7:11– 22 (NET)
11 After Solomon finished building the Lord’s temple and the royal palace and accomplished all his plans for the Lord’s temple and his royal palace, 12 the Lord appeared to Solomon at night and said to him: “I have answered your prayer and chosen this place to be my temple where sacrifices are to be made. 13 When I close up the sky so that it doesn’t rain, or command locusts to devour the land’s vegetation, or send a plague among my people, 14 if my people, who belong to me, humble themselves, pray, seek to please me, and repudiate their sinful practices, then I will respond from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land. 15 Now I will be attentive and responsive to the prayers offered in this place. 16 Now I have chosen and consecrated this temple by making it my permanent home; I will be constantly present there. 17 You must serve me as your father David did. Do everything I commanded and obey my rules and regulations. 18 Then I will establish your dynasty, just as I promised your father David, ‘You will not fail to have a successor ruling over Israel.’
19 “But if you people ever turn away from me, fail to obey the regulations and rules I instructed you to keep, and decide to serve and worship other gods, 20 then I will remove you from my land I have given you, I will abandon this temple I have consecrated with my presence, and I will make you an object of mockery and ridicule among all the nations. 21 As for this temple, which was once majestic, everyone who passes by it will be shocked and say, ‘Why did the Lord do this to this land and this temple?’ 22 Others will then answer, ‘Because they abandoned the Lord God of their ancestors, who led them out of Egypt. They embraced other gods whom they worshiped and served. That is why he brought all this disaster down on them.’”