Healing for the Land
- Sermon By: Bishop St. Hylton R Coombs
- Categories: God, Holiday, Pray
2 Chronicles 7 begins with the account of the dedication of Solomon’s temple. After Solomon finishes his prayer, fire comes down from heaven and consumes the burnt offering and the sacrifices, signifying God’s acceptance. The glory of the Lord fills the temple so overwhelmingly that the priests cannot enter. Witnessing this, all the Israelites bow down with their faces to the ground, worshiping and giving thanks to the Lord, proclaiming, “He is good; his love endures forever.”
Following the descent of fire and God’s glory, Solomon and all the people offer a tremendous number of sacrifices to the Lord: 22,000 cattle and 120,000 sheep and goats. The priests perform their duties, and the Levites, with musical instruments David had made for praising the Lord, lead the people in worship. The people celebrate the dedication of the altar for seven days and observe the Feast of Tabernacles for another seven days, totaling fourteen days of festivity. On the twenty-third day of the seventh month, Solomon sends the people back to their homes, joyful and glad in heart for the goodness the Lord has shown to David, Solomon, and his people Israel.
Sermon Description
God then outlines the conditions for His continued blessing upon Israel. If the people humble themselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from their wicked ways, God promises to hear from heaven, forgive their sins, and heal their land (verse 14). This verse is often highlighted as a key principle for repentance and revival.However, there is also a stern warning. If Israel turns away and forsakes God’s commandments to worship other gods, then God will uproot them from their land and reject the temple. The temple, which is now revered, will become a byword and an object of scorn among all peoples. The nations will wonder why the Lord has dealt so severely with Israel, and the answer will be that it is because they abandoned the Lord, the God of their ancestors, who brought them out of Egypt, and embraced other gods, worshiping and serving them. This betrayal would bring disaster upon them.
- God’s Glory and Presence: The fire from heaven and the glory of the Lord filling the temple symbolize God’s powerful presence and His acceptance of the temple as His dwelling place.
- Worship and Celebration: The elaborate sacrifices and extended period of celebration underscore the importance of worship and gratitude in acknowledging God’s blessings and faithfulness.
- Conditions for Blessing: Verse 14 highlights a critical spiritual principle: repentance, prayer, and seeking God are essential for receiving forgiveness and healing from God.
- Warnings Against Apostasy: The passage ends with a stark warning that turning away from God and His commandments will result in severe consequences, including the loss of divine favor and national ruin.