II Chronicles 7 (NIV)

Summary:

The Dedication of the Temple
Verses 1-10

After Solomon's prayer, fire came from heaven and consumed the burnt offerings and sacrifices.  The glory of God filled the temple and the priests couldn't enter it.  The Israelites saw this, knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, worshiped, and thanked God.  They proclaimed, " 'He is good; His love endures forever.' " (Verse 3b)

The king and the people offered sacrifices before God.  Solomon offered 22,000 heads of cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats.  They all dedicated the temple of the Lord.

The priests and Levites took up their places, each with their instruments provided by David for praising God.  The priests blew their trumpets while the Israelites stood.

Solomon consecrated the middle of the courtyard, in front of the temple, where he offered burnt offerings and the fat of the fellowship offerings, because the bronze altar couldn't hold all of the burnt and grain offerings, or the fat portions.  Solomon and the vast assembly, people from Lebo Hamath to the Wadi of Egypt, celebrated the temple dedication for 7 days.  Then, they held the festival for another 7 days.  On the 23rd day of the 7th month, Solomon sent the people home.  He was joyful and glad for the good things that God had done for David, Solomon, and Israel.

The Lord Appears to Solomon
Verses 11-22

After Solomon finished building the temple and his palace, the Lord appeared to him at night and said:
-He had heard Solomon's prayer and had chosen the temple for Himself for the sacrifices.
-When He shut up the heavens to hold the rain, or sent locusts on the land or plagues on the people - if His people, those who are called by His name, would humble themselves, pray to and seek Him, turning from their wickedness, then God would hear, forgive, and heal them.
-His eyes and ears were open to the prayers offered in the temple.
-He had chosen and consecrated the temple for His name.
- " 'My eyes and my heart will always be there.' " (Verse 16b)
-If Solomon walked before God as David had and obeyed God's commands, God would establish his throne as He had promised David that He would keep his line on the throne.
-If Solomon turned from God and His laws, turning to other gods, God would uproot Israel from the promised land and reject the temple.  The temple would become an object of ridicule.  It was currently an imposing place, but people would be appalled by it.  They would know that God made the temple and the land desolate because the people forsook the One who brought them out of Egypt.  There would be disaster if they embraced and worshiped other gods.

Lori's Thoughts:

God hears our prayers and responds to them.  In the Old Testament times, things were more extreme.  God requires perfection.  If we are perfect, He dwells with us.  That's the reason there were so many rituals back then.  Humans are sinful by nature, since the fall in Eden.  So, we need rules to show us how to live.  So, when the Israelites kept God's commands, God did things like send fire from heaven for their sacrifices or appear as a cloud in the temple.  On the other hand, if they worshiped anyone or anything other than Him, they'd be severely punished.  This was the result of their sins, but God told them what was required for them to be reconciled.  God wants us.  He is a jealous God.  It's all or nothing with Him.  How bad is that if He provides us with all we need?

Now, I know it's impossible for us to be perfect.  This is where grace comes in.  In the New Testament times, which includes the present, things are less extreme.  Christ is perfection and He shared it with us when He died on the cross.  He did away with the need for rituals.  Now is the time for relationships.  If we study the Bible, we are shown how to live and love as Christ did.  When we pray, God's answers are not so flashy.  But, He does speak to us.  He spoke to Solomon in his dreams and I believe He does so with others now.  Sometimes it's a quiet internal thought that just makes sense, as He does with me.

If nothing else, remember that there is forgiveness for all sins and a renewal for relationships with the One who loves us more than His own life.  Remember to thank Him for it.  The best way is by offering your life to Him for service in love.