2 CHRONICLES 7
14 If my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land. 15 Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayer that is made in this place. 16 For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that my name may be there forever. My eyes and my heart will be there for all time. 17 And as for you, if you will walk before me as David your father walked, doing according to all that I have commanded you and keeping my statutes and my rules, 18 then I will establish your royal throne, as I covenanted with David your father, saying, ‘You shall not lack a man to rule Israel.’19 “But if youturn aside and forsake my statutes and my commandments that I have set before you, and go and serve other gods and worship them, 20 then I will pluck youup from my land that I have given you, and this house that I have consecrated for my name, I will cast out of my sight, and I will make it a proverb and a byword among all people – 2 Chronicles 7:14-20
2 CHRONICLES HUMBLE YOURSELF & TURN FROM IDOLATRY
A poem by ILMA inspired by these verses
As a covenant child of God, you need to follow what is required
A true believer keeps himself holy, pure and undefiled
He does not have idols since that will mean treason
God is faithful and he does not tolerate competition
You either serve the Lord or love the things of this world
So, humble yourself, turn away from idols and eat his Word.
The book of Chronicles was attributed to Ezra but modern scholars refer to “Chroniclers” as the writer of this book. Matthew Henry comments on this chapter as God’s answer to Solomon’s prayer. God publicly answered his prayer by fire from heaven, which consumed the sacrifices (verse 1) with which the priests and people were much affected. By that token of God’s acceptance and they were encouraged to continue the solemnities of the feast for fourteen days, and Solomon was encouraged to pursue all his designs for the honour of God.”
The account gives the people of God a nod of approval for the place of worship in this temple that Solomon designed and finished. He approved of the temple and consecrated it for his name’s sake. God would answer their prayers if made in this temple but there were requirements for them to follow on their end. In 1Kings 6:2-4 and in 2 Chronicles chapters 3 and 4, we can see how God instructed them how to construct and build the temple. It was designed for the purpose of worship alone and for following all the details of God’s own design and preference where his people will worship him. In this account, he specified his demand from his own people so that this temple will be a meeting place for them and their God. They must follow all his commandments, turn away from all their wicked ways and also from all other idols that they worship. If they fail to do so, verses 19-20 spells out what would be the consequence of such disobedience befall them. They’ll be cast out from the land and the temple will be ruined.
REFLECTION
- Can a believer be humble if they are still holding on to idols? Why or why not?
