الكتاب المقدس

اقرأ كلمة الله وادرسها وتأمل فيها.

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الأسفار التاريخية الأصحاحات 1–9: سليمان والهيكل

يرتفع ملوك يهوذا ويسقطون بحسب أمانتهم لله ولهيكله.

يبدأ سفر أخبار الأيام الثاني بحكمة سليمان وبناء الهيكل وتدشينه، حيث يَعِد الله بأن يسمع لشعبه إذا تواضعوا وصلّوا.

الكاتب: غير معروف؛ يُنسب تقليديًا إلى عزرا · التاريخ: على الأرجح كُتب نحو 450–400 ق.م.

نظرة على السفر ومخططه وآياته الرئيسية
أيام الثاني 7 ALAB
استمع
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1وَمَا إِنْ أَتَمَّ سُلَيْمَانُ صَلاتَهُ حَتَّى نَزَلَتْ نَارٌ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ الْتَهَمَتِ الْمُحْرَقَةَ وَالذَّبَائِحَ، وَملأَ مَجْدُ الرَّبِّ الْهَيْكَلَ، 2وَلَمْ يَتَمَكَّنِ الْكَهَنَةُ مِنَ الدُّخُولِ إِلَى بَيْتِ الرَّبِّ، لأَنَّ مَجْدَ الرَّبِّ مَلأَهُ. 3وَشَهِدَ جَمِيعُ بَنِي إِسْرَائِيلَ نُزُولَ النَّارِ وَمَجْدِ الرَّبِّ عَلَى الْهَيْكَلِ، فَخَرُّوا عَلَى وُجُوهِهِمْ سَاجِدِينَ عَلَى بَلاطِ الأَرْضِ الْمُجَزَّعِ، وَحَمَدُوا الرَّبَّ لأَنَّهُ صَالِحٌ، وَلأَنَّ رَحْمَتَهُ إِلَى الأَبَدِ تَدُومُ. 4ثُمَّ قَدَّمَ الْمَلِكُ وَسَائِرُ الشَّعْبِ ذَبَائِحَ أَمَامَ الرَّبِّ. 5فَذَبَحَ الْمَلِكُ سُلَيْمَانُ اثْنَيْنِ وَعِشْرِينَ أَلْفاً مِنَ الْبَقَرِ، وَمِئَةً وَعِشْرِينَ أَلْفاً مِنَ الْغَنَمِ. وَدَشَّنَ الْمَلِكُ وَجَمِيعُ الشَّعْبِ الْهَيْكَلَ. 6وَوَقَفَ الْكَهَنَةُ فِي الأَمَاكِنِ الْمُخَصَّصَةِ لَهُمْ فِي مُوَاجَهَةِ اللّاوِيِّينَ، يِنْفُخُونَ بِالأَبْوَاقِ، بَيْنَمَا شَرَعَ اللّاوِيُّونَ يَعْزِفُونَ عَلَى آلاتِ غِنَاءِ الرَّبِّ الَّتِي صَنَعَهَا الْمَلِكُ دَاوُدُ حِينَ سَبَّحَ الرَّبَّ بِها، مُتَرَنِّمِينَ بِحَمْدِ الرَّبِّ لأَنَّ رَحْمَتَهُ إِلَى الأَبَدِ تَدُومُ، وَذَلِكَ عَلَى مَرْأَى مِنَ الشَّعْبِ كُلِّهِ. 7وَقَدَّسَ سُلَيْمَانُ الْفِنَاءَ الْوَاقِعَ أَمَامَ الْهَيْكَلِ حَيْثُ قَرَّبَ هُنَاكَ الْمُحْرَقَاتِ وَشَحْمَ ذَبَائِحِ السَّلامِ، لأَنَّ مَذْبَحَ النُّحَاسِ الَّذِي صَنَعَهُ سُلَيْمَانُ كَانَ أَصْغَرَ مِنْ أَنْ يَسَعَ الْمُحْرَقَاتِ وَالتَّقْدِمَاتِ وَالشَّحْمَ. 8وَاحْتَفَلَ سُلَيْمَانُ بِالْعِيدِ فِي ذَلِكَ الْوَقْتِ طَوَالَ سَبْعَةِ أَيَّامٍ مَعَ كُلِّ إِسْرَائِيلَ، وَجُمْهُورٍ كَبِيرٍ تَوَافَدَ مِنْ مَدْخَلِ حَمَاةَ إِلَى وَادِي مِصْرَ. 9وَاعْتَكَفُوا فِي الْيَوْمِ الثَّامِنِ لِلْعِبَادَةِ بَعْدَ أَنِ احْتَفَلُوا بِتَدْشِينِ الْمَذْبَحِ سَبْعَةَ أَيَّامٍ، وَبِالْعِيدِ سَبْعَةَ أَيَّامٍ أُخْرَى. 10ثُمَّ صَرَفَ الشَّعْبَ إِلَى بُيُوتِهِمْ فِي الْيَوْمِ الثَّالِثِ وَالْعِشْرِينَ مِنَ الشَّهْرِ السَّابِعِ، فانْطَلَقُوا بِقُلُوبٍ يَغْمُرُهَا الْفَرَحُ وَالْغِبْطَةُ مِنْ أَجْلِ كُلِّ الْخَيْرَاتِ الَّتِي أَبْدَاهَا الرَّبُّ نَحْوَ دَاوُدَ وَسُلَيْمَانَ وَإِسْرَائِيلَ شَعْبِهِ. 11وَهَكَذَا أَكْمَلَ سُلَيْمَانُ إِقَامَةَ الْهَيْكَلِ وَقَصْرِ الْمَلِكِ، وَحَالَفَهُ النَّجَاحُ فِي كُلِّ مَا خَطَّطَ أَنْ يَبْنِيَهُ فِيهِمَا. 12وَتَجَلَّى الرَّبُّ لِسُلَيْمَانَ لَيْلاً وَقَالَ لَهُ: «قَدِ اسْتَجَبْتُ صَلاتَكَ، وَاخْتَرْتُ هَذَا الْمَكَانَ لِي لِيَكُونَ هَيْكَلاً لِلذَّبَائِحِ. 13فَإِنْ أَغْلَقْتُ السَّمَاءَ فَانْحَبَسَ الْمَطَرُ، وَإِنْ أَمَرْتُ الْجَرَادَ أَنْ يَلْتَهِمَ عُشْبَ الأَرْضِ، وَإِنْ جَعَلْتُ الْوَبَأَ يَتَفَشَّى بَيْنَ شَعْبِي، 14ثُمَّ اتَّضَعَ شَعْبِي الَّذِي دُعِيَ اسْمِي عَلَيْهِمْ، وَتَضَرَّعُوا طَالِبِينَ وَجْهِي، وَتَابُوا عَنْ شَرِّهِم، فَإِنَّنِي أَسْتَجِيبُ مِنَ السَّمَاءِ وَأَصْفَحُ عَنْ خَطِيئَتِهِمْ وَأُخْصِبُ أَرْضَهُمْ. 15أَمَّا الآنَ فَإِنَّ عَيْنَيَّ تَظَلّانِ مَفْتُوحَتَيْنِ تَرْعَيَانِ هَذَا الْمَكَانَ، وَأُذُنَيَّ تُصْغِيَانِ إِلَى الصَّلاةِ الصَّادِرَةِ مِنْهُ. 16لَقَدِ اخْتَرْتُ هَذَا الْهَيْكَلَ وَقَدَّسْتُهُ حَتَّى أَضَعَ اسْمِي عَلَيْهِ إِلَى الأَبَدِ، فَتَكُونُ عَيْنَايَ وَقَلْبِي هُنَاكَ إِلَى دَهْرِ الدُّهُورِ. 17فَإِنْ سَلَكْتَ أَنْتَ أَمَامِي كَمَا سَلَكَ دَاوُدُ أَبُوكَ، وَنَفَّذْتَ كُلَّ مَا أَمَرْتُكَ بِهِ وَأَطَعْتَ فَرَائِضِي وَأَحْكَامِي، 18فَإِنَّنِي أُثَبِّتُ عَرْشَكَ كَمَا وَعَدْتُ أَبَاكَ قَائِلاً: لَا يَنْقَرِضُ مِنْ نَسْلِهِ رَجُلٌ يَحْكُمُ إِسْرَائِيلَ. 19وَلَكِنْ إِنِ انْحَرَفْتُمْ وَنَبَذْتُمْ فَرَائِضِي الَّتِي شَرَّعْتُهَا لَكُمْ، وَضَلَلْتُمْ وَرَاءَ آلِهَةٍ أُخْرَى وَعَبَدْتُمُوهَا وَسَجَدْتُمْ لَهَا، 20فَإِنَّنِي أَسْتَأْصِلُكُمْ مِنْ أَرْضِي الَّتِي وَهَبْتُهَا لَكُمْ، وَأَنْبِذُ هَذَا الْهَيْكَلَ الَّذِي قَدَّسْتُهُ لاسْمِي، وَأَجْعَلُهُ مَثَلاً وَمَثَارَ هُزْءٍ لِجَمِيعِ الأُمَمِ. 21وَيَغْدُو هَذَا الْهَيْكَلُ الَّذِي كَانَ شَامِخاً عِبْرَةً يُثِيرُ عَجَبَ كُلِّ مَنْ يَمُرُّ بِهِ، فَيَتَسَاءَلُ: لِمَاذَا صَنَعَ الرَّبُّ هَكَذَا بِهَذِهِ الأَرْضِ وَبِهَذَا الْهَيْكَلِ؟ 22فَيَأْتِيهُمُ الْجَوَابُ: لأَنَّهُمْ تَرَكُوا الرَّبَّ إِلَهَ آبَائِهِمِ الَّذِي أَخْرَجَهُمْ مِنْ دِيَارِ مِصْرَ، وَتَشَبَّثُوا بِآلِهَةٍ أُخْرَى وَسَجَدُوا لَهَا وَعَبَدُوهَا، لِذَلِكَ جَلَبَ عَلَيْهِمْ كُلَّ هَذَا الْبَلاءِ».
تفسير 4
استمع
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Benson
2 Chronicles 7
Benson Commentary 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. 2 Chronicles 7:1 . The fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt- offering, &c. — This circumstance is added to what is recorded in the first book of Kings. Hereby, and by the cloud filling the whole house, was shown God’s gracious acceptance of Solomon’s prayer and sacrifices; and an assurance was given that he would be present in this place, and grant all their lawful petitions. By the former of these, it is generally thought, the first sacrifice that we read of in Scripture, that of Abel, was declared to be acceptable to God. And when the tabernacle was erected and dedicated, and Aaron was consecrated, there was the same testimony given of God’s presence there as here, Exodus 40:34-35 ; Leviticus 9:24 . The surest evidence of God’s acceptance of our prayers is, the descent of his holy fire of love upon us. And the heart which is filled with a holy awe and reverence of the divine majesty, (as the glory of the Lord filled this house,) the heart to which God manifests his greatness, and (what is no less his glory) his goodness, is thereby owned as his living temple. 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. 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. 2 Chronicles 7:3 . The glory of the Lord upon the house — The cloud first came down upon the house, and then entered into the house, and was seen both within it by the priests, and without it by the people; who by this evident token of the divine presence, and the sudden and miraculous descent of the fire, were fully satisfied that it was God’s house, and that he would accept their sacrifices offered there, hear their prayers, and bestow his blessings upon them. They bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement — Fell prostrate upon the ground, thus expressing their awful dread of the divine majesty, their cheerful submission to the divine authority, and the sense they had of their utter unworthiness to enter into his presence. And worshipped and praised the Lord — As they had great reason to do, having seen such manifest tokens of his presence among them. Saying, For he is good, &c. — Thus using the same words in which the priests had just before praised him: a song never out of season, and for which our hearts and tongues should never be out of tune. 2 Chronicles 7:4 Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD. 2 Chronicles 7:4-5 . Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices — They had offered sacrifices before; but now they renewed them, and offered more, in acknowledgment of these new assurances of God’s love to them. Twenty and two thousand oxen, and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep — It is probable that many of these sacrifices were burned in all the courts of the temple, and in different places upon the mount, as it was scarce possible that they should all be consumed upon one altar. 2 Chronicles 7:5 And king Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the king and all the people dedicated the house of God. 2 Chronicles 7:6 And the priests waited on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick of the LORD, which David the king had made to praise the LORD, because his mercy endureth for ever, when David praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood. 2 Chronicles 7:6 . Instruments of music of the Lord — So called, because David had made them to praise the Lord withal. See 1 Chronicles 15:16 . When David praised by their ministry — For David composed the psalms or hymns, and appointed them to be sung by the Levites, and instruments of music to be joined to their voices. 2 Chronicles 7:7 Moreover Solomon hallowed the middle of the court that was before the house of the LORD: for there he offered burnt offerings, and the fat of the peace offerings, because the brasen altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offerings, and the meat offerings, and the fat. 2 Chronicles 7:8 Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt. 2 Chronicles 7:9 And in the eighth day they made a solemn assembly: for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days. 2 Chronicles 7:10 And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away into their tents, glad and merry in heart for the goodness that the LORD had shewed unto David, and to Solomon, and to Israel his people. 2 Chronicles 7:10 . On the three and twentieth day of the seventh month, he sent the people away — They kept the feast of the dedication of the altar seven days, from the second to the ninth; the tenth day was the day of atonement, when they were to afflict their souls for sin, and that was not unseasonable in the midst of their rejoicings: then on the fifteenth began the feast of tabernacles, which continued to the twenty-second, and thus they continued to be employed in sacred services, and did not part till the twenty-third. We ought never to grudge the time that we spend in the worship of God, and in communion with him, nor think it long, or grow weary of it. Glad and merry in heart for the goodness, &c. — That is, according to the Targum, “for the goodness of the Lord shown unto David, in opening the doors of the sanctuary; and unto Solomon, whose prayer God had accepted, and had honoured with his presence in the house which he had built; and unto his people Israel, in his acceptance of their sacrifices, and sending down fire from heaven to consume them.” 2 Chronicles 7:11 Thus Solomon finished the house of the LORD, and the king's house: and all that came into Solomon's heart to make in the house of the LORD, and in his own house, he prosperously effected. 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. 2 Chronicles 7:12 . The Lord appeared to Solomon, and said, I have heard thy prayer — That God had accepted his prayer was shown by his sending fire from heaven. But a prayer may be accepted, and yet not answered in the letter of it. God therefore appeared to him in the night, as he had done once before, ( 1 Chronicles 1:7 ,) and gave him a particular answer to his prayer. See notes on 1 Kings 9:2-9 . 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; 2 Chronicles 7:13 . If I command the locusts to devour the land — That is, use my authority and power over them to cause them to do so. A metaphor elsewhere used in reference to irrational animals, as 1 Kings 17:4 , Amos 9:3 , which are not properly capable of receiving a command, or of paying obedience to it. Other national judgments are here supposed, such as famine, war, and the ravages of savage beasts. 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. 2 Chronicles 7:14 . If my people shall humble themselves, and pray, &c. — Thus national repentance and reformation are required. God expects, that if his people, who are called by his name, have dishonoured his name by their iniquity, they should honour it by accepting the punishment of their iniquity. They must humble themselves under his hand, must pray for the removal of the judgment, must seek his face and favour: and yet all this will not be sufficient, unless they turn from their wicked ways, and return to him from whom they have revolted. National mercy is then promised, Then will I hear from heaven, &c. — God will first forgive their sin, which brought the judgment upon them, and then will heal their land, and redress their grievances. 2 Chronicles 7:15 Now mine eyes shall be open, and mine ears attent unto the prayer that is made in this place. 2 Chronicles 7:15-16 . My eyes shall be open, &c., unto the prayer that is made in this place — Or, that shall be made in, or toward, this place; for he speaks of the answers which he would give to the prayers which should afterward be made there. For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, &c. — There will I make myself known, and there will I be called upon. 2 Chronicles 7:16 For now have I chosen and sanctified this house, that my name may be there for ever: and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually. 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; 2 Chronicles 7:17-18 . If thou wilt walk before me, &c. — He promises to establish and perpetuate Solomon’s kingdom, on condition that he persevered in his duty; assuring him, that if he hoped for the benefit of God’s covenant with David, he must imitate the example of David. 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. 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; 2 Chronicles 7:19 . But if ye turn away — Thou or thy seed, and forsake my statutes, &c. — Thus God sets before him death as well as life, the curse as well as the blessing. He supposes it possible, that though they had this temple built to the honour of God, yet they might be drawn aside to worship other gods. For he knew how prone they were to backslide into that sin. And he threatens, if they did so, it would certainly be the ruin of both church and state. That though they had been long in that good land, and had taken deep root in it, he would pluck them up by the roots, would extirpate their whole nation, as men pluck up weeds in a garden, and throw them out upon the dunghill. And that this sanctuary would be no sanctuary to them to protect them from the judgments of God, as they imagined; but that this house, which was so high, not only for the magnificence of its structure, but for the intended ends and uses of it, should be brought down, laid in ruins, and made a cause of wonder and astonishment to every one that passed by, and to all the neighbouring nations. 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. 2 Chronicles 7:21 And this house, which is high, shall be an astonishment to every one that passeth by it; so that he shall say, Why hath the LORD done thus unto this land, and unto this house? 2 Chronicles 7:22 And it shall be answered, Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them. Benson Commentary on the Old and New Testaments Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com . Used by Permission.
Expositors
2 Chronicles 7
Expositor's Bible Commentary 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. The Expositor's Bible Text Courtesy of BibleSupport.com . Used by Permission.
Illustrator
2 Chronicles 7
Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven. 2 Chronicles 7:1-10 God among His people T. Thoresby. I. PRAYER FOR GOD TO COME. This prayer was marked — 1. By its publicity. (1) Public prayer, formally or virtually, has been the custom among all nations at all times. (2) It is a "reasonable service." (3) It is an impressive service. It evokes sympathy. 2. By its specialty. 3. By its success. II. GOD AMONG HIS PEOPLE. 1. By symbol. 2. Permanently. 3. A source of blessedness. If God be among His people — (1) He will help His ministers. (2) The preaching of Christ will be a glory, a blessing, a satisfaction, a source of refreshment to the soul. 3. His providence will wear a very different aspect; in the darkest day we shall feel that all is well 4. The realisation of His presence will give the best idea of heaven — fits them for it and makes them desire it. III. PRAISE TO GOD. 1. The theme of their praise: God's mercy. 2. Its timeliness. 3. Its acceptableness.Conclusion: 1. Learn the value of public worship. 2. Make it a test of your character. 3. Learn the privilege of true worshippers. It is a delightful employment. "Come thou with us, and we will do thee good," etc . 4. You may ask, "What can we do to benefit by public worship?" Come to meet with God. Come in a prayerful spirit. Come with a thankful heart. Take heed what you hear. Be not forgetful hearers. Follow all with prayer that "the Word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified." 5. What can we do to promote it? (1) Attend it regularly, punctually, and solemnly. (2) Give your money abundantly and cheerfully to support it. ( T. Thoresby. ) A dedication service Homiletic Review. The light and fire, "the glory of the Lord," that came down were symbols. I. Something SUPERNATURAL. Solomon with all his wisdom, and Huram's artisans with all their skill, could not have invented that. The king was as impotent before it as the lowest slave from his provinces was before him. So there is an "unprogrammed" part of the service which is being conducted by the powers of another world. Strange forces have made the edifice their dwelling. II. That glory was not merely a supernatural phenomenon, something sent from God; IT SYMBOLED GOD HIMSELF. Shekinah means dwelling. When our version reads, "I will dwell among Israel," the Hebrew says, "I will shekinah among them." God is here. III. THE DIVINE PRESENCE CAME IN RESPONSE TO A MAN'S CONSECRATION PRAYER; its great Amen. IV. THE SHEKINAH REMAINED IN THE TEMPLE. Though the outer glow of it was withdrawn, a gleam of it lingered within the Holy of Holies, illumining that windowless apartment, dropping its softened light upon the ark of the covenant, with its tables of the law, its golden mercy-seat, and the cherubim of life. So God will remain with us; and the sign of His presence will be that a light falls upon the Bible, our ark of covenant, making its laws of righteousness gleam into our consciences, its assurance of grace fill us with peace, and its promise of life glow in our hopes until we enter that temple where "the Lamb is the light thereof." ( Homiletic Review. ) And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night, and said unto him, I have heard thy prayer. 2 Chronicles 7:12-16 The answer of God to the prayer of Solomon at the dedication of the temple T. Mortimer, B.D. 1. How strikingly does the answer meet the prayer. Solomon anticipated days of sorrow. He asked of God, "If we call upon Thee, wilt Thou hear us?" "I will," says God, "I will." Solomon asks that God's eye and ear may be open to his house. God exceeds the prayer of the king. Not only shall Mine eyes and Mine ears be there, but My heart shall be there also. 2. God not only declares that He has heard the prayer of Solomon, He says something more encouraging: "I have chosen this house for Myself, for a house of sacrifice." 3. God affirms national judgments to be the work of His own hand. "If I shut up heaven," etc . 4. God supposes that always in national calamity the people will come running to Him. 5. God regards His house as pre-eminently a house of prayer. "Mine ears shall be attent unto the prayer that is made in this place." 6. God gives a promise of His perpetual presence in His house.Conclusion: What duty devolves upon us having such abundant mercies? 1. Personal religion. 2. Family religion. 3. Liberal offering to the Lord. ( T. Mortimer, B.D. ) If I shut up heaven Pestilence God's retribution for sin Robert Bickersteth, M.A. I. GOD CLAIMS TO HIMSELF THE AUTHORSHIP OF THE CALAMITY FOR WHOSE REMOVAL WE ENTREAT. II. THE DIRECT CONNECTION WHICH IS POINTED OUT BETWEEN THE VISITATION OF THE PESTILENCE AND A PEOPLE'S IMPIETY AS THE PROVOCATION WHICH HAS CAUSED IT. III. THOUGH PESTILENCE BE OF GOD'S SENDING, YET WILL HE BE ENTREATED FOR ITS REMOVAL ( Robert Bickersteth, M.A. ) The cessation of the cholera F. O. Morris. I. There is no one truth that is more universal in its application, or which more commends itself to every man's conscience, than that GUILT IS FOLLOWED BY PUNISHMENT, most certainly in the next world, and most probably in this. II. That as true repentance will always be accepted, for Christ's sake, for the putting away of sin, so WILL IT OFTEN AVAIL, IN THE MERCY OF GOD, TO THE REMOVAL OF THE TEMPORAL CALAMITY which may have been the consequence and punishment of the sin. ( F. O. Morris. ) The means and method of healing in the Church Edward Reynolds, D.D. I. THE SUPPOSITION OF JUDGMENTS. 1. Judgments light not on a people casually or by chance, but by the overruling command and commission of God ( Job 5:6, 7 ).(1) Sometimes by way of dominion and absolute power.(2) Sometimes as a preparation unto intended mercy, as men plough the ground which they mean to enrich with precious seed, and carve the stone which they mean to put in the top of the building. As men put forth longest into wind and sun that great timber which must bear the greatest burden and stress of the building.(3) But most usually in a way of justice ( Jeremiah 30:15 ; Nehemiah 9:33 ; Ezekiel 14:23 ). Personal chastisements may be for trial and exercise of faith and patience, but general and public judgments are ever in wrath and displeasure. Let us therefore labour to find out our sins by our sufferings. Chastisements never mend us till they teach us ( Psalm 94:12 ; Micah 6:9 ). 2. The Lord hath variety of judgments whereby to reduce froward and stubborn sinners. God's method in these various judgments usually is —(1) He begins at the outward man, exercising a people many times with change of rods, which is ever a sign of anger in the father and stubbornness in the son.(2) He proceeds to the soul, revealing His wrath, causing guilt and fear to gripe and seize on the conscience ( Psalm 51:8 ; Job 6:4 ; Proverbs 18:14 ).(3) Towards obdurate sinners the Lord many times deals in a more fearful manner, sealing them up under hardness of heart, a spirit of slumber, a reprobate sense, a seared conscience, etc ., till destruction unawares overtake them ( Matthew 24:39 ; Ezekiel 24:14 ; Hosea 4:17 ; Revelation 22:11 ). II. A DIRECTION UNTO DUTIES. Consider — 1. The quality of the persons who are to perform them: "My people that are called by My name." All men are His creatures, only a select and peculiar inheritance that bear His name and are in covenant with Him are called His people ( Ezekiel 16:8 ; Psalm 4:3 ; Isaiah 43:21 ; Isaiah 63:18 ; Acts 15:14 ). To be called by His name noteth to be His adopted children. We are God's people —(1) By visible profession or sacramental separation from the world, as the whole nation of the Jews are called His people ( Exodus 19:5 ; Deuteronomy 4:7 ).(2) By spiritual sanctification and internal dispositions ( John 17:6 ; Galatians 6:16 ; Romans 2:29 ; Romans 9:8 ; Romans 11:5 ; Philippians 3:3 ). 2. The duties required for the removal of judgments.(1) Humiliation.(2) Prayer. Without this humiliation is but a sinking under God, not a seeking unto Him. (a) By this we honour God in acknowledging Him the fountain of all our good, the inflicter of all evil. As a diamond is cut only by a diamond, so God is pacified only by Himself. (b) By this we ease ourselves. Prayer lighteneth affliction where it doth not remove it. The heart is meekened to accept the punishment of sin, as wool or mud deadens the force of a bullet.(3) Seeking the face of God. His favour to comfort us, and His counsel to direct us.(4) Reformation of life. III. A GRACIOUS PROMISE OF MERCY. 1. A promise — (1) Of gracious condescension: "from heaven." (2) Of gracious audience. (3) Of forgiveness. (4) Of healing: 2. Touching these promises, observe — (1) That when God comes down to deliver, and looks from heaven, He doth it by no other way than by the Incarnation of His Son, the efficacy of His Spirit, the operation of His providence, or the ministry of angels. (2) When He hears prayers, it is only by the intercession and mediation of Christ. (3) When He forgives sins, it is only by the merits and righteousness of Christ. (4) But when He heals a land, He often useth in that work the ministry of men. Magistrates are healers and repairers ( Isaiah 3:7 ). Ministers are healers of the sick ( Ezekiel 34:4 ). ( Edward Reynolds, D.D. ) Sin and judgments Edward Reynolds, D. D. 1. The sins of God's own people may provoke and procure judgments. 2. Their sins have some aggravations in them that other men's have not. They are sins against — (1) Special light ( 1 Kings 11:9 ). (2) Special love and experiences of Divine favour ( 2 Samuel 12:7-9 ). (3) Special relations ( Isaiah 1:2 ). (4) Special grace and assistance of the Holy Spirit (Ephesians 4:80). (5) Special covenants and engagements, after avouching God for theirs (Psalm 78:84). (6) Special deliverances from greatest dangers ( Ezra 9:13, 14 ). (7) Special hopes and more special promises which should have persuaded them to holiness ( 2 Corinthians 7:1 ; 1 John 3:3 ). (8) Special peace and glorious comforts, as David sinned against the joy of God's salvation ( Psalm 51:12 ). Peter denied Christ after he had seen His transfiguration. ( Edward Reynolds, D. D. ) If My people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves Humiliation, its obligation and nature Edward Reynolds, D. D. I. IT IS A DUTY CALLED FOR BY PROPHETS AND APOSTLES AND SPECIALLY RESPECTED BY GOD ( Micah 6:8 ; James 4:10 ; 1 Peter 5:6 ; 2 Kings 22:19 ; Leviticus 26:41, 42 ). 1. It emptieth the heart of self-confidence and is the root of the fundamental duty of self-denial. 2. It fits for approach to God. 3. It disposeth to a confession of sin ( Luke 15:17-19 ; Luke 18:13 ). 4. It prepares the heart for the entertainment of mercy. 5. It makes way for the forsaking of sin; the more a soul is humbled for it, the more it is fearful of it and watchful against it. II. IT IS TWOFOLD IN ITS NATURE. 1. Passive, when God breaks the heart by the hammer of His Word ( Jeremiah 23:29 ), or by some sore affliction. 2. Active, when the soul humbleth itself under sin and wrath. This may be —(1) Legal, proceeding from a spirit of bondage, when the heart roars on a rack, or melts in a furnace, is filled with consternation and anguish under the weight of sin and wrath, as in the case of Pharaoh, Ahab, Belshazzar, Felix, the jailor, and the murderers of Christ.(2) Evangelical. When the soul is not only broken and battered with the horror and dread of wrath (this it may be and remain hard, as every piece of a broken flint is hard still), but when it is kindly melted and softened with apprehensions of God's goodness and free-grace. A compounded duty made up of love and sorrow; Hezekiah, Josiah ( Jeremiah 26:19 ; 2 Chronicles 34:27 ). III. THIS IS A PERPETUAL DUTY. As long as sin remains there must be a sense of it, and sorrow for it. But in some times and cases it is to be specially renewed. In times — 1. Of extraordinary sins and provocations. 2. Of public dangers and distresses. 3. Of great enterprises attempted. 4. Of successes and blessings desired ( Ezra 8:21 ). ( Edward Reynolds, D. D. ) Helps to the performance of the duty of humiliation Edward Reynolds, D. D. I. TAKE A VIEW OF GOD. 1. In Himself. (1) His searching eye and mighty hand ( James 4:10 ; 1 Peter 5:6 ). (2) His majesty and glory ( Isaiah 6:2 ; Psalm 89:6, 7 ). (3) His, holiness ( Exodus 15:11 ; Joshua 24:19 ). (4) His jealousy and justice ( Nahum 1:2 ). (5) His mercy and goodness ( Hosea 3:5 ; Romans 2:4 ). (6) His omniscience.Such considerations have humbled the holiest of men. Moses ( Exodus 3:6 ); Job ( Job 42:5 ); Elijah ( 1 Kings 19:13 ); Isaiah ( Isaiah 6:5 ); Ezra ( Ezra 9:15 ); Peter ( Luke 5:8 ). 2. In His relations to us. He is our Maker, King, Judge, Father, Master. 3. In His dealings with us. (1) In His judgments and various providences. (2) In His mercies which have shined upon us through all our clouds. II. TAKE A VIEW OF YOURSELVES, OF YOUR OWN HEARTS AND LIVES. This is a duty of singular use and benefit. It enlargeth the heart in godly sorrow for sin past, upon the discoveries which this scrutiny maketh. ( Edward Reynolds, D. D. ) Fruits and evidences of humiliation Edward Reynolds, D. D. 1. A godly sorrow, so called because it sets the soul God-ward. Cain, Judas, Felix, all sorrowed, but they ran from God. As a ship in a tempest ventures not to any shore, but gets further into the sea, so the soul, when it is humbled by God, betakes not itself unto any carnal shore, but still runs closer unto Him. 2. A justifying of God, ascribing to Him the glory of His righteousness if He should condemn us; and of His mercy, that He absolves us ( Psalm 2:4 ; Daniel 9:7-9 ). 3. A self-judging and subscribing to our condemnation ( Deuteronomy 27:15 ). As St. Austin saith of the poor publican, "He judged and accused himself, that God might deliver and defend him." Also Bernard , "This is a good judgment indeed which withdraws and hides me from the severe judgment of God." ( Edward Reynolds, D. D. ) The Divine philosophy of revivals David Winters. This is a revival text. It contains the germs of the whole Divine philosophy of revivals. A revival implies religious declension, and is itself such a waking up of the spiritual life of the Church as leads to the conversion of sinners. I. AN EXPLICIT DESCRIPTION OF THE PROPER METHOD FOR PROMOTING A REVIVAL. 1. The first duty of a people seeking a revival is humiliation before God. This state of mind is produced by our contemplating the purity: and perfection and loving-kindness of the Lord, in contrast with our own sinfulness, unworthiness, and ingratitude. 2. Prayer is the next divinely prescribed means in promoting a revival of religion. Prayerfulness is one of the main characteristics of a godly life. But our prayers are sometimes prayerless. They are an unwritten liturgy, made up of hackneyed phrases in which there is hardly a spark of vitality. They lack the strong pinions of faith and ardent desire without which they cannot reach the third heaven. They lack the Divine electricity. When God's people beseech Him, as John Knox did when he prayed, "Lord, give me Scotland, or I die," then their prayers are effective. 3. We must seek God's face. He never intended that His people should pray to Him as strangers. He wants us to draw near to Him as children go to a loving father or mother. 4. There must be a forsaking of sin. II. SOME DEFINITE AND GOOD REASONS WHICH WE HAVE FOR EXPECTING A REVIVAL. 1. God's intimate relation to the Church. (1) He claims a special and unrivalled property in its members. He calls them His people. (2) He puts a special honour upon them. He calls them by His name. 2. God's explicit promise. (1) He will "hear from heaven." (2) "And will forgive their sins." (3) And will heal their land. ( David Winters. ) The duty of a people under Divine chastisements James Williams, M.A. I. THERE ARE THREE MODES IN WHICH IT HAS PLEASED ALMIGHTY GOD AT DIFFERENT PERIODS OF THE WORLD TO INFLICT HIS RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENTS ON NATIONAL DELINQUENCY: by the sword without, the famine and pestilence within. II. THE DUTIES ENJOINED UPON A PEOPLE UNDER THE AFFLICTIVE VISITATION OF A PESTILENCE.. 1. Humiliation. 2. Prayer. 3. Reformation. III. THE ENCOURAGING ASSURANCE OF THE GOD OF MERCY TO A HUMBLED, PRAYING, AND CONVERTED PEOPLE. ( James Williams, M.A. ) National chastisements C. A. Raymond, M.A. It seems to have been after an interval of thirteen years that the Lord signified in detail that He had listened to the solemn prayer that Solomon offered at the dedication of the temple. God notifies the possibility of His punishments falling on the land in the event of their sinning against Him, and then adds, "If the people shall humble themselves," etc . I. This passage is only one of many which point out HOW ENTIRELY NATURE IS RULED BY GOD. Take such examples as these: the flood; the destruction of Sodom; Elijah fed by ravens; the destiny of Jonah, etc . They all proclaim that the whole world is under the immediate control of a personal God who regulates it in reference to man. II. NATIONAL TROUBLE SHOULD CAUSE A PEOPLE TO CONSIDER THEIR WAYS, and to seriously reflect upon their national sins. III. A PROPER CONSCIOUSNESS OF NATIONAL SINS OUGHT TO BRING A PEOPLE TO THEIR KNEES in humble submission, and lead them to acknowledge that national chastisements are of His appointment. In reply to the objection that might be urged against this teaching, "Why ascribe to God what may easily be traced to natural causes?" I observe, the more science the better. Trace out the causes as best you can: discover the laws of rain and sunshine, of temperature and weather. But, after all, these are not the first cause. They are only second in order. There is still the sphere in which God rules supreme. It is only too obvious in a case of personal sickness. A man may be laid upon a bed of affliction: the illness may upset his plans — deepen his reflections — bring him to a true repentance — and, in fact, alter his whole career for the better; in this the first cause is God, in His mercy and love to a wayward soul; the second cause is, perhaps, that one day he caught a chill But then that chill does not exclude God. It is worthy of special remark, moreover, that our Lord's teachings and miracles were pointedly in this direction. He did not deny that the tower of Siloam was a judgment, though He repressed self-righteous inferences on the part of others. He adduced the flood and the destruction of Sodom as warnings to His own generation. IV. IT MAY BE OBJECTED THAT BETTER DAYS WILL COME WHETHER A PEOPLE WILL HUMBLE THEMSELVES AND PRAY OR NOT. It may be so. Just as a sick man may refuse to repent, and yet will in due time get well again. But the moral loss is well-nigh beyond recovery. It involves the blunting of the moral sense, the deadening of conscience, and the loss of the higher benefit which God willed to bestow. A nation which cannot recognise the correcting hand of God must be indeed estranged from Him. Conclusion: Our personal duty. 1. Repentance. 2. Intercession.God sets His mark of love and protection upon them who "sigh and cry for all the abominations." No one can tell how much he may do by himself" returning to God. ( C. A. Raymond, M.A. ) Biblical anthropomorphism Homilist. In anthropomorphic language eyes are ascribed to God; thus we read "that the eye of the Lord is on them that fear Him" ( Psalm 38:18 ). Thus again, "I will guide thee with Mine eye" ( Psalm 32:8 ). He is said to be of "purer eyes than to behold evil" ( Hebrews 1:13 ). A similar form of speech ascribes "ears" to God. Thus we have these words — "In Mine ears, saith the Lord of hosts" ( Isaiah 5:9 ); "The cries of them which have reaped are entered into the cars of the Lord of Sabaoth" ( James 5:4 .) What does this language mean? Why are eyes and cars ascribed to a Spirit that has no limits and no form? The language is used for two purposes. I. To express His COGNIZANCE of man. Through the eye and the ear we derive our knowledge of all outside of us. 1. He knows us directly. 2. He knows us thoroughly. (1) He knows what we are. (2) He knows what we have been. (3) He knows all that we ever shall be.To him there is nothing old appears, to Him there is nothing new. A sense of His knowledge of us should make us frank, solemn, circumspect, devout. II. To express His INTEREST IN man. God's interest in us is shown — 1. In the various capacities of enjoyment with which He has endowed us, and the provisions He has made for them. We have capacity for every species of enjoyment — sensuous, intellectual, social, religious. We can drink of all the rivers from the eternal ocean of joy. For the sensuous there is matter, for the intellectual there is truth, for the social there is society, for the religious there is Himself. 2. In the preservation of our existence, notwithstanding our sinfulness. We have transgressed His precepts, warred against His arrangements, yet He preserves us year after year. The patience of an Infinite Love is here. 3. In our redemption by Jesus Christ. "God so loved the world," etc . "He spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up," etc . Conclusion: "Thou God seest me," we unite with the blessed fact, "Thou God lovest us." It is His interest in us that prompts Him to watch our movements and listen to our words. ( Homilist. ).
Matthew Henry
2 Chronicles 7
7:1-22 God's answer to Solomon's prayer. - God gave a gracious answer to Solomon's prayer. The mercies of God to sinners are made known in a manner well suited to impress all who receive them, with his majesty and holiness. The people worshipped and praised God. When he manifests himself as a consuming Fire to sinners, his people can rejoice in him as their Light. Nay, they had reason to say, that God was good in this. It is of the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, but the sacrifice in our stead, for which we should be very thankful. And whoever beholds with true faith, the Saviour agonizing and dying for man's sin, will, by that view, find his godly sorrow enlarged, his hatred of sin increased, his soul made more watchful, and his life more holy. Solomon prosperously effected all he designed, for adorning both God's house and his own. Those who begin with the service of God, are likely to go on successfully in their own affairs. It was Solomon's praise, that what he undertook, he went through with; it was by the grace of God that he prospered in it. Let us then stand in awe, and sin not. Let us fear the Lord's displeasure, hope in his mercy, and walk in his commandments.