2 Crônicas 7

2 Crônicas 7

Clarke - “The manner in which these disobedient people have been destroyed is truly astonishing: no nation was every so highly favoured, and none ever so severely and signally punished.” PAUL APPLE - DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS: 1) Do we get numb to God’s spectacular miracles such as sending fire down from heaven to consume the sacrifice on the altar? 2) In what way can the glory of the Lord fill us as the temple of God? 3) How has 2Ch 7:14 been misused or misapplied? 4) How can we tell which disasters are unleashed by the Lord as direct retribution for wickedness? QUOTES FOR REFLECTION: Andrew Hill: King Solomon’s construction and dedication of the Jerusalem temple highlight several important theological continuities between the Old and New Testaments: the appropriate understanding of God’s holiness and the liturgical use of “sacred space,” the role of sacred space in mediating God’s immanence and transcendence, the centrality of prayer in worship, the significance of “pilgrimage” in the life of faith, the relationship between the sacred place and religious instruction, and the idea that sacred space (and worship) brings order out of chaos. Second Chronicles 5:2–7:22, recounting the dedication of the Jerusalem temple, points toward the contemporary significance of the larger literary unit (2Ch 1–9) by emphasizing the priority of intercessory prayer. The account of the glory of God entering the temple furthers the topic of “sacred space” that mediates God’s immanence and transcendence and ultimately foreshadows the incarnation of Jesus Christ (John 1:14). (See 1 and 2 Chronicles - Page 55) Raymond Dillard: Solomon’s prayer and God’s response form the center of the author’s Solomon narrative; the Chronicler will remain through the rest of his history concerned to show that God did indeed keep his promise to Solomon to answer with favor the prayers and repentance of his people. It is particularly in his addition of 2Ch 7:13–15 to God’s response that the Chronicler articulates most clearly the theological perspective supporting his historiographical goals. In his accounts of the reigns of the kings of Judah the Chronicler tirelessly exhibits the validity of his retributive convictions; he proceeds by taking details from the accounts as he found them in Kings, but by adding supporting and inciting incidents to provide the rationale for reward or punishment. The basic theological questions of the restoration community revolved around its relationship to the Israel of the past—what validity did the promises of God regarding the temple and the house of David have for a community that had no king, was under foreign domination, and had only in recent history rebuilt the former temple that had been destroyed? Solomon’s prayer presumably had liturgical use through much of the first temple period and was probably recited regularly in the liturgy of the post-exilic temple. The Chronicler was seeking to demonstrate the validity of those petitions and God’s response through history, and by implication for his own generation as well. Though the temple had once been destroyed, God’s choice of Jerusalem was still valid; though no descendant of David sat on a throne, the Davidic line had not failed (2Ch 7:18). One would yet come whose origins are of old, from ancient times, to be ruler over Israel (Mic 5:2). (See 2 Chronicles, Volume 15 - Page 59) John Olley - The message of God’s forgiveness and “healing of the land” is one of hope for a world in which the effects of human sin are all too evident. Here is encouragement to pray. For the Chronicler, “the land” referred to the area that “I have given you [my people].” In Christ, this can be extended to the whole earth, for indeed “the whole creation has been groaning” for his redemption (Rom. 8:22). The hardships in this passage that lead to prayer are all community wide, seen as God’s punishment for sin by the people as a whole. While the Scriptures themselves warn against equating disasters with specific sins, personal or communal (e.g., Job; Luke 13:1–5; John 9:1– 7), there are countless ways in which even “natural disasters” are more horrendous in their results due to human wrongdoing (corruption and maladministration, greed and selfishness, war and civil strife, ethnic rivalry, effects of slavery and injustice, failure to share resources, environmental exploitation). This passage perhaps speaks particularly to the individualism of Western Christianity that so often overlooks the corporate dimension of sin. At the same time, communal response requires personal commitment. God’s word to Solomon is “If my people pray”; Paul urges Christians to pray for “all people, for kings and all who are in high positions . . . [because God] desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Tim. 2:2– 4). Martin Selman: Chapter 7 is not only central to the message of Chronicles, but it is also one of the most important chapters in the Old Testament. It offers hope to any who call on the name of the Lord, even if they have incurred God’s wrath, because God’s desire is for full reconciliation. The over-all theme is encapsulated in a passage most of which is unique to Chronicles (2Ch 7:12-16), and which contains one of the best-known verses in Chronicles (2Ch 7:14). The chapter is in two parallel sections, both of which are about answered prayer. The genuineness of God’s promise about forgiveness and healing (2Ch 7:11-22) is confirmed and preceded by a very public and dramatic reply to Solomon’s prayer (2Ch 7:1-10; cf. 2Ch 6:14-42). The wider context is also important, however, 2Ch 7:12b-22 are in the form of a direct message from God which must be read alongside God’s earlier promise about David’s dynasty and the temple (1 Ch. 17:3-15). Together, they form the foundation for the Chronicler’s entire work, with the earlier passage providing a secure basis for God’s invitation here. The account of the Divided Monarchy which follows (2Ch 10-36) then demonstrated by actual examples how God answered prayer on the principles of 2Ch 7:12-16 (e.g. 2 Ch. 20:1-30; 33:10-23). The significance of such a message would have been easily understood in post-exile Israel. By presenting the temple as a place where right sacrifice and prayer could be accepted, an opening was being provided to exchange Israel’s present bleak circumstances for a more positive future. It offered an opportunity to change the course of Israel’s history. Sadly, the story of the post-exilic and intertestamental periods shows that this opportunity was largely ignored, despite the few who continued to look for the consolation of Israel (Lk. 2:25). (See 2 Chronicles: An Introduction and Commentary - Page 348) Forsook (left, abandoned, deserted, left behind) (05800) 'azab basically means to depart from something -- to leave, to forsake (48x), to leave (26x; "left" 22x), to loose, to depart, to abandon. To abandon, reject, desert or leave a former association (1Ki 18:18). Abandoned, deserted or rejected, forsaken (Isa 6:12; 10:14; 17:2, 9; 54:6; 60:15; 62:4; Jer 4:29; Zep 2:4). Things that can left behind or forsaken include persons (Ge 44:22; Nu 10:30; Ru 1:16; 2Ki4:30), people who should left behind (Ge 2:24); places (2Ki 8:6; Jer 18:14; 25:38) and objects (Ge 39:12,13; 50:8; Ex 9:21). Men can forsake God (apostatize) (Dt 28:20, 31:16, Jer 1:16), can abandon qualities of virtue (1Ki 12:8, 2Chr 10:8, 13), the way (of righteousness) (Pr 15:10), instruction/wisdom (Pr 4:2, 6), reproof (Pr 10:17 - "ignore" = forsake), kindness (lovingkindness, faithfulness) (Pr 3:3). God promises to not forsake His people (Ge 24:27, 28:15, Dt 31:6,7 contrast what God's people will do = Dt 31:16). In a use similar to Pr 28:13, we are instructed to "forsake wrath." (Ps 37:8) 'AZAB IN KINGS AND CHRONICLES - 1 Ki. 2:31; 1 Ki. 8:25; 1 Ki. 9:5; 1 Ki. 9:7; 1 Ki. 14:24; 1 Ki. 15:14; 1 Ki. 16:28; 1 Ki. 22:43; 2 Ki. 14:4; 2 Ki. 15:4; 2 Ki. 15:35; 2 Ki. 16:3; 2 Ki. 17:8; 2 Ki. 18:4; 2 Ki. 21:2; 2 Ki. 23:24; 1 Chr. 5:25; 2 Chr. 7:18; 2 Chr. 7:20; 2 Chr. 17:6; 2 Chr. 19:3; 2 Chr. 33:9; BIBLIOGRAPHY FOR 1-2 CHRONICLES NOTE: SOME CAN BE BORROWED FROM ARCHIVE.ORG Archer, Gleason L. Jr. A survey of Old Testament introduction (BORROW). Chicago, IL: Moody Press, 1964. Baxter, J. Sidlow. Explore the Book Vol. 2 Judges to Esther . Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 1960. Boda, Mark J. Cornerstone Biblical Commentary – 1-2 Chronicles. (Digital version) Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 2010. Braun, Roddy. Word Biblical Commentary – Volume 14 –1 Chronicles (BORROW). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2018. Cooper, Derek. Reformation Commentary on Scripture – Old Testament V – 1-2 Samuel, 1-2 Kings, 1-2 Chronicles. (Digital version) Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic, 2016. Constable, Thomas - 1&2 Chronicles (ONLINE) Daniel, Ron - Teaching Notes - 1 Chronicles; 2 Chronicles (ONLINE) Dillard, Raymond B. Word Biblical Commentary – Volume 15 – 2 Chronicles (BORROW) Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2018. Ellison, H. L. The New Bible commentary, revised – 1 & 2 Chronicles (BORROW). Grand Rapids, MI: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1970. Guzik, David. Enduring Word Bible Commentary 1 Chronicles; 2 Chronicles (ONLINE) Hill, Andrew E. The NIV Application Commentary – 1 & 2 Chronicles. (Digital version) Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003. Keil, C. F. and Delitzsch, F. Commentary on the Old Testament – 1 Chronicles & 2 Chronicles. Grand Rapids, MI: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1975. Konkel, August H. Believers Church Bible Commentary – 1 & 2 Chronicles. (Multipart video series also available) Harrisonburg, VA: Herald Press, 2016. Mabie, Frederick J. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary Revised Edition – 1 & 2 Chronicles. (Digital Version) Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2010. MacArthur, John. The MacArthur Study Bible (BORROW). Nelson Bibles, 2006. Olley, John W. (ED: IAIN DUGUID) ESV Expository Commentary, Vol. III – 1 Samuel – 2 Chronicles. (Digital Version) Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2019. Payne, J. Barton. The Expositor’s Bible Commentary – 1 & 2 Chronicles. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1988. Schultz, John. - 1 Chronicles (177 pages), 2 Chronicles (239 pages) (ONLINE) Selman, Martin J. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries – 1 Chronicles. (BORROW)Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994. Selman, Martin J. Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries – 2 Chronicles. (BORROW) Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1994. Sherwin, Simon & Mabie, Frederick J. Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary -- 1 & 2 Chronicles. (Digital Version) Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2009. Thompson, J.A. The New American Commentary – Volume 9 – 1, 2 Chronicles. (Digital Version) Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 1994. Utley, Bob. 1 Chronicles Table of Contents; 2 Chronicles Table of Contents http://www.freebiblecommentary.org/old_testament_studies/VOL07BOT/VOL07BOT.html Walton, John, et al - The IVP Bible Background Commentary Old Testament IVP - InterVarsity Press 2000. Wiersbe, Warren W. Be Restored – Trusting God to See Us Through – OT Commentary – 2 Samuel & 1 Chronicles. (BORROW) Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2010. Wiersbe, Warren W. Be Distinct – Standing Firmly Against the World’s Tides – OT Commentary – 2 Kings & 2 Chronicles. (BORROW) Colorado Springs, CO: David C. Cook, 2010. Williamson, H.G.M. New Century Bible Commentary – 1 and 2 Chronicles. Eugene, OR: Wipf and Stock Publishers 1982. Wood, Leon. A Survey of Israel’s History. (BORROW) Grand Rapids: MI: Zondervan Publishing House, 1970.