Read 2 Chronicles 7
Highlights:
God confirms that He is pleased by sending fire from heaven, consuming the sacrifice. The people bow in reverence! The seven-day feast follows with innumerable sacrifices. Then God appears again. Note the qualification for answered prayer (II Chr. 7:14) and the consequences of sin if Israel ignores the Lord's Commandments (7:19-22). Solomon's fame gains the attention of the Queen of Sheba (I Kin. 10:1-40).
The fame and wisdom of Solomon attracted the attention of the world. The Queen of Sheba came to prove (test) Solomon with hard questions (II Chr. 9:1). There was something beyond herself that her wealth, position, and wise men could not satisfy. Her restless spirit led her on a long and difficult journey. Sadly, the Scriptures give no indication that Solomon told her anything about rejecting idol worship and worshiping the One True God. But she was astonished at Solomon's profound discernment as a ruler and declared: Blessed be the Lord thy God, which delighted in thee to set thee on His throne, to be a king for the Lord thy God: because thy God loved Israel, to establish them for ever, therefore made He thee king over them, to do judgment and justice (9:8).
Christ commended the Queen for her desire for truth that led her in a journey from the uttermost parts of the earth (Matt. 12:42). Her reception by Solomon illustrates the welcome and satisfaction a person receives when he comes to the King of Kings who gives according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love. . . . might be filled with all the fulness of God. Now unto Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us, Unto Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus (Eph. 3:16-21). All who come to Christ experience beyond all comprehension, the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge (3:19).
To the honest doubter, our appeal is that of Philip to Nathanael: We have found Him, of whom Moses in the Law, and the Prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth. . . . Come and see (John 1:45-47). To all who come with a searching heart and read all the Bible, all doubt will be removed. They too will say: Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard Him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world (John 4:42).
Thought for Today:
But the Lord is my defence; and my God is the Rock of my refuge (Ps. 94:22).
Christ Revealed:
Through the glory of Solomon's kingdom (II Chr. 9:1-28). Even though Solomon had a rich and glorious kingdom, it cannot begin to compare to Christ's coming Kingdom. The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it (Rev. 22:1-5).
Word Studies:
7:11 prosperously effected successfully accomplished all that God had planned for him to do, 7:14 seek My Face, seek My will through My Word; 8:5 nether, lower; 8:16 perfected, completed; 9:1 prove, test; 9:14 chapmen, merchant traders; 9:15 targets, large shields; 9:18 stays, armrests; 9:24 harness, armor; 9:26 the river, the Euphrates River.
Prayer Needs:
Pray for Staff: Jennifer Cunningham • Government Official: Rep. Duncan Hunter (CA) • Country: Haiti (7 million) in the West Indies • Major languages: French and Creole • Religious freedom • 75% Roman Catholic; 17% Protestant • Prayer Suggestion: Pray each day for the Lord to protect you from evil (I Pet. 5:8).
Optional Reading: 1 Corinthians 10
Memory Verse for the Week: John 15:10