2 Crônicas 6

2 Crônicas 6

Wiersbe - Now, my God, I pray, let Your eyes be open and let Your ears be attentive to the prayer made in this place. 2 Chr 6:40 (See Old Testament Words for Today: 100 Devotional Reflections) This place” refers to the temple in Jerusalem, which King Solomon was dedicating that day. The temple was to be “a house of prayer for all nations” (Isa. 56:7; Mark 11:17), and Solomon’s prayer set a good example for the people to follow. He emphasized praying in the temple when they were in Jerusalem (2 Chron. 6:24, 32, 40) and toward the temple when away from home (vv. 20, 21, 26, 34, 38). David prayed toward the temple when he needed the Lord’s help (Ps. 28:2; 138:2) and so did the prophet Jonah when he was in the belly of the great fish (Jonah 2:4). The prophet Daniel opened his windows toward Jerusalem when he prayed (Dan. 6:10), and King Jehoshaphat prayed on the battlefield (2 Chron. 18:31–32). If this geographical rule applied to believers today, I would be in real trouble, because I have almost no sense of direction! But all the Lord wants his children to do is lift their hearts heavenward, and in faith say, “Father!” When we pray in the will of God, we participate in a miracle, because prayer transcends both time and space. We don’t have to worry about geography. David prayed in a cave (Ps. 57; 142), Paul and Silas prayed in prison (Acts 16:25), King Hezekiah prayed while on his sickbed (Isa. 38), Peter cried out to Jesus while sinking into the Sea of Galilee (Matt. 14:29–33), and Jesus prayed while being nailed to a cross (Luke 23:34). When it comes to praying, Christians need no special equipment, schedule, or environment. If they did, Paul could not have written “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17) or “praying always” (Eph. 6:18), and Jesus would never have said that we “always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). Prayer is not limited by time, because we are linked to the eternal God who knows the end from the beginning. King Solomon prayed about future situations confronting people yet to be born; and in his prayer recorded in John 17, Jesus prayed for believers who would live in centuries yet to come. He even prayed for the church today, for you and me (vv. 20–26). When you come to the throne of grace, ignore calendars, clocks, and maps, and by faith touch the lives and circumstances of people anywhere on planet earth. We don’t have to “go to church” to pray. I have prayed in an ambulance as it was hastening me to the hospital after a speeding drunken driver had wrecked my car and almost killed me. I have prayed in a plane that was ditching gas over the Atlantic Ocean. I have prayed in hospital rooms with people whose loved ones were in grave danger. I have prayed while preaching when I sensed the enemy was at work. Claiming Romans 8:28, I have given thanks when everything seemed to be falling apart. If we stop thinking of prayer as a miracle, our prayer life will start to falter and then cease. We will end up praying so timidly that we’re just talking to ourselves instead of to the Lord. Preaching to his London congregation on Sunday morning, October 1, 1882, Charles Haddon Spurgeon said, “However, brethren, whether we like it or not, remember, asking is the rule of the kingdom.… It is a rule that never will be altered in anybody’s case.” This reminds us of James 4:2. “Yet you do not have because you do not ask.” “Some people think God does not like to be troubled with our constant coming and asking,” D. L. Moody said. “The only way to trouble God is not to come at all.” Are you coming to him and praying? So I say to you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. Luke 11:9 2 Chronicles 6:41 “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. arise (KJV): Ps 132:8-10,16 thy resting (KJV): 1Ch 28:2 Isa 66:1 the ark (KJV): Jos 3:13 6:4,5 Ps 110:2 Ro 1:16 thy priests (KJV): Isa 59:16-18 61:3,6,10 Ro 13:14 Ga 3:27 Eph 4:22-24 Rev 19:8,14 thy saints (KJV): Ne 9:25 Ps 65:4,11 Isa 65:18,19 Zec 9:17 Php 3:3 4:4 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. - Ryrie - arise . . . resting place . . . ark. Refers to installing the ark in the Temple. Wycliffe Bible Commentary These final verses quote Ps 132:8-10, which is anonymous but was probably written by David on the occasion, analogous to this, of his installing the ark in the Jerusalem tent (1 Chr 16). 2 Chronicles 6:42 “O LORD God, do not turn away the face of Your anointed; remember Your lovingkindness to Your servant David.” 1Ki 2:16 turn not (KJV): That is, "reject not thine anointed;" or, "repulse him not," agreeably to the interpretation of this phrase in the Syriac and Arabic versions. thine anointed (KJV): 1Ki 1:34 Ps 2:2 Isa 61:1 remember (KJV): Ps 132:1 Isa 55:3 Ac 13:34 the mercies (KJV): Or, as Dr. Geddes renders, "the pious deeds of thy servant David." The Syriac has, "the good actions of thy servant." O LORD God, do not turn away the face of Your anointed - Do not reject my prayers. Remember Your lovingkindness ( hesed/chesed/heced) to Your servant David - We should always appeal based on His great lovingkindness. Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown: The words are equivalent in meaning to this: “Do not reject my present petitions; do not send me from thy throne of grace dejected in countenance and disappointed in heart.” J.A. Thompson: The phrase “kindnesses promised to David” makes use of the plural form of the important noun ḥesed, which stressed the faithfulness, loyalty, and lovingkindness of God. The task of temple building was completed, and the way was now clear for God to establish the eternal Davidic dynasty in accordance with his promise. While this is not a messianic promise in the full sense, it strongly suggests that there is an abiding validity for the Davidic line. The completion of the temple served to confirm such a hope. There was more to the promise to David than the mere building of a temple. Mark Boda: These closing two verses emphasize three key issues for the Chronicler. There was an enduring desire for the manifest presence of God to be experienced in the second Temple of his day and for the restoration of the Davidic line to be the throne of an independent kingdom. Until then, the Chronicler with his Levitical sensibilities asked that both priests and people would experience the grace and goodness of God. Lovingkindness (02617) hesed/chesed/heced is the idea of faithful love in action and often in the OT refers to God's lovingkindness expressed in His covenant relationship with Israel (His "loyal love" to His "Wife" Israel [cp Hos 2:18, 19, 20-see note, Is 54:5, Je 31:32] = His "loyalty to covenant"). God's hesed His denotes persistent and unconditional tenderness, kindness, and mercy, a relationship in which He seeks after man with love and mercy (cp God immediately seeking man Ge 3:9, who was immediately hiding Ge 3:8 trying to cover their shame Ge 3:7 - contrast God's lovingkindness manifest by spilling blood to provide skins to cover their shame! Ge 3:21). Hesed expresses both God’s loyalty to His covenant and His love for His people along with a faithfulness to keep His promises. PAUL APPLE - DEVOTIONAL QUESTIONS: 1) How important should prayer be in addressing the wide variety of difficult circumstances we face in life? 2) What is the significance, if any, of our posture in prayer? 3) How does prayer teach us about the paradoxical relationship between God’s transcendence and His immanence? 4) Do we take for granted the responsiveness of God to our intercessory prayers? QUOTES FOR REFLECTION: Frederick Mabie: 2Ch 6:22-39 -- This long section details a number of scenarios wherein individuals, the nation as a whole, and foreigners might seek God in the context of prayer and the temple. The supplicatory refrain present in each of these scenarios is that God might “hear from heaven” (cf.2Ch 6:23, 25, 27, 30, 33, 35, 39). The consequences anticipated in several of these scenarios reflect covenantal judgments for unfaithfulness articulated in legal texts, particularly Deuteronomy 28 (e.g., defeat from enemies [v25; cf. Dt 28:25, 48]; drought [v.24; cf. Dt 28:23–24]; famine, plague, blight, mildew, locusts [v.22; cf. Dt 28:21–22, 42], and captivity [v.36; cf. Dt 28:63– 65]. Note that such divine chastening has a didactic function (“teach them the right way to live,” v.27) as well as a sanctifying function (“so that they will fear you and walk in your ways,” 2Ch 6:31). In this section are two scenarios, unrelated to sin, in which Solomon asks God to hear from heaven: when a foreigner seeks God (2Ch 6:32–33) and when the nation goes out to war (2Ch 6:34–35). With respect to the foreigner seeking God (recall Isa 56:6–7), we are reminded that the temple is to be “a house of prayer for all nations” and that God’s ultimate will is that all the peoples of the earth may know his name and fear him (v.33; cf. Ge 12:3). God’s concern for all nations was a continuing message even within the disarray of the postexilic setting (cf. Zec 8:20–23). With respect to the nation going to war, covenantal faithfulness will ensure that Israel’s enemies will be defeated (cf. Dt 28:7). Andrew Hill: To understand prayer is to acknowledge the paradoxical truth of God’s simultaneous transcendence and immanence. Solomon recognizes that the vast expanse of the heavens cannot contain the unique “otherness” of the Creator, how much less a building like the temple (2Ch 6:18; cf. Isa. 57:15). Yet somehow the Jerusalem shrine is the earthly interface of the Lord’s divine presence and absolute holiness because it is at this place that God has chosen to set his Name (2Ch 6:20). Solomon’s temple becomes the symbolic focal point of God’s interest in and care for humanity, for it is here that his “eyes” and “ears” are continually open to the supplications of both Israelite and foreigner alike (2Ch 6:21; cf.2Ch 6:32–33). It is these qualities that differentiate God from the false gods of the nations, gods who have eyes but cannot see and ears but cannot hear (cf. Ps. 115:5; Isa. 44:18). God possesses the will, the power, and the compassion to respond to prayer and intervene in human crises just because he sees and hears (cf. Neh. 1:6, 11; Isa. 59:1). Martin Selman: Identifying the basic pattern for intercessory prayer in Solomon’s plea: the idea that such prayer is characterized by sincerity and urgency (i.e., “plea for mercy,” 2Ch 6:19); it includes confession and repentance (6:26) and a change of heart (2Ch 6:37) an appeal to God to “hear” (2Ch 6:19) with “open eyes” (2Ch 6:20); that is, praying in faith that because God hears and sees, he answers prayer offering prayer toward the temple as the symbol of God’s presence and authority, since praying in that manner is praying in the Name of the One to whom the temple belongs (2Ch 6:21) the truth that God is accessible by anyone who acknowledges Yahweh as “my God” (2Ch 6:19, 22) the purpose of such prayer, namely, the forgiveness of sins for the sake of restoration, healing, and blessing (2Ch 6:21). Thomas Crumb: Arise, O Lord! Solomon launches into a magnificent prayer of dedication for God's people and God's place (2 Chronicles 6:13b-21) Solomon understands that God is not confining Himself to a small space no matter how magnificent it is (2Ch 6:18) the Temple is a meeting place at which God communicates with His priests and His people God promises to forgive His people's sin the Temple does not put "God in a box" it is a place for holy, consecrated, heartfelt, reverent God honoring worship it is not a place where people are supposed to come, "put in their time", go through the motions or give lip service to God sadly, over time, that is what it became for a majority of Israel's people Solomon's prayer reflects all the hope, the joy, and the promise of having people come and meet with God in the way He longs to be approached and met with Solomon's prayer has a repeated pattern: "If [this bad thing happens], please hear from heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants." 2Ch 6:40, let your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayer of this place In 2Ch 6:41, Solomon invokes the memory of Moses' prayer in Numbers 10:35 when Moses prayed Arise, O Lord, and let your enemies be scattered, Israel's enemies were primarily external.... other nations that wanted to harm her Solomon realizes that now, Israel's enemies are internal Israel will be brought down by her own sin of formalism and idolatry Israel will be brought down by her failure to honor God as God Glorify Yourself in this place by defeating the sin that so easily entangles us make this a place of true worship let our worship exalt You not for a holy place made with hands but for the holy place that lives inside and among us cf. 1 Peter 2:9, 2:5 May the glory of the Lord fill our lives and fill this place! https://media-cloud.sermonaudio.com/text/111416720171.pdf Mark Boda: The focus of 2Ch 6:18-40 is on the role of the Temple as a sanctuary of prayer. The section begins with a general plea for God to listen to the prayers Solomon and his people will direct toward the sanctuary (2Ch 6:8-21), continues with a list of seven scenarios in which the people would pray toward the Temple for help from the Lord in heaven (2Ch 6:22-39), and concludes with another general plea for God to listen to prayers made to him in the Temple (2Ch 6:40). 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. Believer's Study Bible (Digital Version) Ryrie Study Bible - BORROW Defender's Study Bible - BORROW