2 Chronicles 6:22-42
Q.1. What made the Temple such a significant house of prayer? What were the prerequisites for God to forgive the sins of the nation? – (2 Chr.6:22-31 c.f. 5:13-14)
The Temple was the God-appointed place where the Lord would dwell amongst His people. He had ratified this promise with an awesome display of His holy presence when – the glory of the Lord filled the house of God (2 Chr.5:14). Solomon requested that in times of sin, failure, and chastisement – 24 If Your people Israel are defeated before an enemy because they have sinned against You, and they return to You and confess Your name, and pray and make supplication before You in this house, 25 then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your people Israel and bring them back to the land which You have given to them and to their fathers (2 Chr.6:24-25 c.f. 1 Jn.1:9). Solomon’s view of God was that He was not only great, but also merciful.
Q.2. What was Solomon’s vision for the impact of the Temple? What message did Solomon want to convey far and wide? – (2 Chr.6:32-33 c.f. Mk.11:17)
Solomon, under inspiration of God, expressed his vision that the Temple would be – a house of prayer for all nations (Mk.11:17). He had a vision for all people to know that – concerning the foreigner who is not from Your people Israel, when he comes from a far country for Your great name’s sake and Your mighty hand and Your outstretched arm, when they come and pray toward this house (2 Chr.6:32). Solomon’s desire extended beyond Israel – in order that all the peoples of the earth may know Your name, and fear You as do Your people Israel, and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by Your name (2 Chr.6:33).
Q.3. How realistic was Solomon’s view of mankind? How far was God’s grace extended? – (2 Chr.6:36-42)
Solomon accepted the inevitability of sin. He pleaded – When they sin against You (for there is no man who does not sin) … (2 Chr.6:36). He also believed that penitence had to be genuine – 38 if they return to You with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity … 39 then hear from heaven, from Your dwelling place, their prayer, and supplications, and maintain their cause and forgive Your people who have sinned against You (2 Chr.6:38-39). He pre-empted the removal of Israel from the Promised Land and laid down the basis upon which God would restore His people to their land (2 Chr.6:36-39). Solomon expected that God would deal favourably toward His faithful servants – Now therefore arise, O Lord God, to Your resting place, You, and the ark of Your might; let Your priests, O Lord God, be clothed with salvation and let Your godly ones rejoice in what is good (2 Chr.6:41-42). This is still the experience of God’s people even though they sin